TRUMPET TREE

TABEBUIA ROSEA

Seletar CC Hole 17 Seletar CC Hole 1 Seletar CC Hole 14

PIE, center, off Moulmein PIE, to CTE AMK

Tabebuia rosea is a neotropical tree. The name Roble de Sabana is widely used in Costa Rica meaning "savannah oak" in Spanish, probably because it often remains in heavily deforested areas, where people prize its intense flowering periods and because of the resemblance of its wood with the oak wood. Also known as Pink Poui.

The name Maquilishuat is almost entirely used by the inhabitants of El Salvador to designate the Tabeuia rosea; it's also their national tree.

Singapore Locations: North Buona Vista Rd, Beach Rd, CTE divider (BT Timah/Moulmein), SLE center (Mandai/Woodlands),

NParks FloraWeb:

Family: Bignoniaceae

Common Name: Pink Poui, Rosy Trumpet Tree, Pink Tecoma, Pink Poui, Trumpet Tree, New World Trumpet

Synonym: Tabebuia pentaphylla

Origin: Mexico to Venezuela and Equador

Leaf Colour: Green

Flower Colour: Pink, White

Fruit Colour: Yellow

Maximum Height (m): 18 - 35

Plant Shape: Conical

Others: Tolerates Saline Conditions, Featured in 1001 Garden Plants in Singapore book

Plant Description:

Deciduous tree, medium to big. Leaves oppositely arranged, palmately compound with 5 leaflets on each stalk. Leaflets 5 - 22 cm by 2 - 11 cm, oblong to elliptic in shape, ends pointed. Flowers are trumpet - shaped, 5 - 8 cm long, large and showy, 5 - petaled. Flowering induced by dry spell, in April and August in Singapore. Blooms last several days then wilt. Fruits split when matured, halves fall away and seeds attached to central wall. Seeds have winged features, dispersed by wind.Planted along road sides or in parks. Provide shade. Flowers are spectacular, form a pink carpet on the ground around the tree when it falls. Propagated by seeds or cuttings. Genus name derived from native Brazilian name 'tabebuia' or 'taiaveruia' whicle species epithet 'rosea' means rose coloured.Leaf Area Index (LAI): 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)* for Green Plot Ratio

Ethnobotanical Uses: Herb & Spice (Medicinal), Timber Product

Bark found to be anti-cancer. Timber used for construction and furniture.

Description

Form

A medium to large tree and grows up to 30 m and can reach a diameter at breast height of up to 100 cm. The tree crown is large, wide, conical, dense, and shady; with irregular, stratified ramification and only few thick branches. The main branches are often sharply forked.

This tree is often seen in Neotropical cities, where it is often planted in parks and gardens. In the rainy season it offers great shade and, in the dry season, abundant flowers are present on the defoliated trees. It is fast growing and transplant well. Fairly drought tolerant.

Seletar Country Club

Leaves

Leaves are large and palmately compound, digitate and deciduous. Each leaf has five leaflets of variable size, the middle one being the largest. The leaflets are elliptic with pointed ends.

Flowers

Flowering occurs mainly in January and February, and is generally associated with dry periods; although flowering has also been observed in August, September, April and May. During this period, the entire tree is covered with a profusion of blossoms, creating a truly spectacular sight. The fallen flowers retain their glory for a day or 2.

Flowers are large, in various tones of white, pink to purple, showy and trumpet shaped, 5 – 8 cm. Flowers appear while the tree has none, or very few, leaves. Pollination occurs probably by insects, although the flowers are visited by many birds such as tanagers, hummingbirds and orioles.

Bright Pink

White

Light pink

Fruits

The long and slender fruit capsules are elongated pods can measure up to 35 cm and appear from February through April. After the drying fruit dehisces, the anemochorous, hyaline-membrane-winged seeds are released. There is an average of 45,000 seeds per kg with up to 13% water content.

Germination of seeds is extremely easy and efficient, reaching almost 100%.

Trunk

The bark can be grey to brown in varying darkness, rough and may be vertically fissured and furrowed.

The wood is white, grey or pale pinkish brown.

FLOWERING TIMINGS

J F M A M J J A S O N DLeaves X X X XFlowers X X X X X X XFruits X X X X X X

Uses

It is commonly planted along roads, gardens and parks for its flowering displays.

The timber is useful for heavy construction, furniture and cabinet work.

Medicinal Uses

Preparations of the cortex of the tree are consumed to eliminate intestinal parasites, malaria and uterine cancer. A decoction of the cortex is recommended for anemia and constipation. A decoction of the flowers, leaves and roots has been used to reduce fevers and pain, cause sweating, to treat tonsil inflammation and various other disorders.

Among the various active phytochemicals in the tree is lapachol, a natural organic compound isolated from various other Tabebuia species. Chemically, it is a derivative of naphthoquinone, related to vitamin K.

Once studied as a possible treatment for some types of cancer, lapachol's potential is now considered low due to its toxic side effects. Lapachol also has antimalarial and antipanasomal effects.

Growing from Seeds

1. Collect seeds from tree or below tree

2. Remove the winged seeds

3. Fill bottom of pot with LECA

4. Fill with potting mix

5. Arrange seeds on the top

6. Cover with thin layer of potting mix

7. Water with sprayer daily. Seeds germinate in 5 – 7 days.

8. Add diluted liquid fertilizer once a month

9. Can last for 2 to 3 years