Jacaranda
Another part of the world where it is summer from December to March is Argentina. Here in South America trees grow and bloom everywhere - from Patagonia in the South to the Northern provinces, and especially in many of the attractive parks in Buenos Aires. Discover some of the most common trees that can be found throughout the Buenos Aires landscape and parks.
Ceibo Tree Blooms
The Ceibo Tree
The Ceibo also called the cockspur coral tree, was declared the national flower of the Republic of Argentina in 1942. It grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and can reach a height of 10 meters (32 ft.). The flower itself resembles the crest of a chicken and has five bright, rouge red petals.
The bark from the plant is extremely light and is often used to replace cork. It is also said that the bark contains high levels of alkaloids, which have been used since the dawn of man for medicinal and “far out” recreational purposes. Lastly, the leaves and bark also produce anti-malarial compounds. The tree’s bark and leaf extract have long been used as a traditional medicine for malaria in Indonesia.
Thanks to its eye-catching petals and the fact that its trunk has no damaging roots, it is perfect to grow anywhere, where it gets enough water. This is why it is so common to see it in many parks and along rivers throughout the country between October and April when it is at its best.
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Jacaranda Tree
Jacaranda Tree
The Jacaranda, which at the end of the 19th century was taken from its natural habitat in the north of Argentina to Buenos Aires to embellish the streets and avenues of the city with its breathtaking beauty.
From that moment on, it became much more than a tree. It is now a symbol of the country's history and culture. So much so that the iconic Argentine writer María Elena Walsh dedicated a song to it. Since 2015 it has been designated as Buenos Aires' distinctive tree. Tourists from all over the world come here, especially in November, when its velvety blossom blooms, to be seduced by its magical colors.
The Jacaranda tree is one of the most recognizable pieces of the Argentina landscape. The purple leaves are absolutely stunning when the trees bloom in the spring, especially because Jacarandas line many of the main avenues of Buenos Aires.
Not only is this tree beautiful, but it is also extremely useful in our fight against climate change. The tree is one of the largest consumers of carbon dioxide and each tree can process 1,832 kg per year!
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Tipuana Tree
Tipuana Tree
La Tipa is the quintessential Argentine tree, charming and beautiful. To the eye, it’s large and abundant with beautiful yellow flowers and there are more than 9,000 in the city of Buenos Aires. When in bloom, cool drips of liquid gently fall from the leaves of this tree. But don’t worry, the liquid isn’t toxic and the effect is quite…engrossing. Plant it well away from building foundations as it forms a shallow, extensive root system. It is up to 30 meters high once it is mature.
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Ombu Tree
The Ombú Tree
Phytolacca dioica, commonly known as ombú in Spanish is the perfect tree for public parks. They’re both horizontally and vertically massive with a girth of 12 to 15 meters and can attain a height of up to 18 meters (60 ft.). The umbrella-like shape is perfect for hot sunny days.
Ombu Tree
The tree itself takes on an umbrella-shaped form and has numerous trunks thus giving it the appearance of a large shrub with its dark green oval leaves. The Ombú tree is an evergreen tree native to the pampas grasslands of South America. It is easy to grow and needs little care except for free-draining soil as it will rot if sat in water. Its enlarged bole means it can withstand periods of drought once established - so the tree has developed a unique way of storing water by forming a large fleshy base. However, it is best to give it a good soaking occasionally, once the soil has dried out.
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