How to differentiate the flamboyant from the jacaranda?

The flamboyan is a tropical tree

There are a number of trees that, despite being of different species (and in many cases, belonging to different genera and even botanical families) have such similar characteristics that it is difficult to know which is which, especially when they do not have flowers.

For example, How to differentiate the flamboyant from the jaracandá? Both are very similar trees, although as we will see below, each of them is unique.

How to differentiate them by their characteristics?

Let's start with the basics: learn to differentiate a jacaranda from a flamboyant just by observing.

From

The main difference is that the flamboyant, whose scientific name is Delonix direction, it is a fabaceae (legume, like the plants of the genus Acacia) native to the deciduous forest of Madagascar. It can grow up to 12 meters, and can be evergreen or deciduous depending on climate and location conditions. For example, if there is a marked dry season, it will be without its foliage until the rains return.

El jacaranda for its part, it is a deciduous tree whose scientific name is jacaranda mimosifolia. It belongs to the Bignoniaceae family (that is, it is a relative of bignonias and the like), and under very favorable conditions can reach 20 meters, although the most normal thing is that it does not exceed 15 meters. If the weather is warm and it rains regularly, something similar to what happens to the flamboyan can happen, that is, it can keep all or part of its leaves.

Cup and leaves

When a tree blooms, it is considered mature

The glass of the flamboyán is typically aparasolada, measuring up to 10-12 meters in diameter. Even from a young age he already 'points out ways' the first year of life. It is clear that the branches grow in such a way that, especially with the passage of time, they look as if it were a parasol. It is a tree that branches a lot, and therefore ends up forming a crowned crown of leaves. These leaves are bipinnate, composed of about 20-40 pairs of pinnae or leaflets, which in turn are divided into 10-20 pairs of secondary leaflets. These are green in color and the adult size of each leaf is between 30 and 50 centimeters long.

The jacaranda is a tree that is known as rosewood

As for the jacaranda, the glass is not always the same. Sometimes it is pyramidal, other times it is also parasol ... In short, it is irregular. It is usual that it is also open, and that it has a diameter of up to 12 meters. The leaves are bipinnate, composed of 25-30 pairs of small leaflets, dark green on the upper surface and pale on the underside, and with a pubescent texture. They are between 30 and 50 centimeters long.

Flowers

The flamboyan has red or orange flowers

Image - Flickr / Mauricio Mercadante

Flowers are the part of the trees that differ the most. Those of the flamboyant They are large, up to 8 centimeters long, and it is made up of four red petals plus one called a banner, which is longer, and has yellow and white spots. There is another variety, the Delonix regia var. flavid, which has yellow flowers.

The jacaranda is a tree known as rosewood

On the other hand, jacaranda produce flowers that are grouped in terminal panicles, which measure 20 to 30 centimeters. These have a tubular corolla and 5 welded petals, and are bluish in color.

Fruit and seeds

The fruit of the flamboyan is a legume

Both the fruit and the seeds of one and the other are very different. The fruit of the flamboyant is a woody legume up to 60 centimeters long by 5 centimeters wide, and contain seeds 1 centimeter or less long, very hard and brown in color.

The fruits of the jacaranda are woody

Image - Wikimedia / Philmarin

If we talk about the jacaranda, the fruit is flat, with an almost rounded shape (similar to a castanet), and measures about 6 centimeters in diameter. It is green at first, but turns dark brown when it is finished maturing. Inside it contains dark brown seeds with almost transparent wings.

How to differentiate them according to your growing needs?

Now that we know what each one is like, I think it's interesting to also talk about the needs they have when it comes to cultivating them.

Climate

Delonix regia or flamboyant in bloom

The flamboyan is a tropical tree, and as such, it is not a plant that can be grown in areas where there are frosts.. I myself have tried it several times, and despite the fact that the lowest temperature in my area is -1,5ºC and for a short time, they cannot survive. They lose their leaves in winter, and then have a hard time pulling up. The second year they are already dry. It's a shame, but based on my experience I don't recommend growing it unless there is no frost in your area, not even weak. Perhaps an adult specimen can endure some cold, but the young ones are very vulnerable to low temperatures.

On the other hand we have the jacaranda. This one is quite a bit more resistant. Although it loses its leaves in the cold and frosts, it holds up well up to -4ºC. For this reason, it is an excellent candidate for growing in tropical to warm temperate gardens.

Location

They both want sun, and both have to be planted at a minimum distance of 7 meters from walls, pipes, and so on. However, the flamboyant, if it goes really well, can have much longer roots; Not in vain, it is adapted to living in areas where it is normal for there to be a marked dry season; therefore those roots will go in search of water.

The jacaranda, on the other hand, does not have invasive roots. When it does not receive the water it needs, be it from rain or irrigation, it has a hard time.

Irrigation

The jacaranda is an ornamental tree

Image - Wikimedia / Kgbo

The irrigation needs of one and the other are similar; In other words, it is necessary to ensure that the earth does not remain dry for a long time. But… What would happen if there is a drought and we have both trees on the ground? Well, if they have been planted for more than a year, they will be acclimatized.

Now, the jacaranda would have a hard time if that drought is combined with high temperatures (35ºC or more), and it would have a worse time if the environmental humidity is low, as it would lose a lot of water and would not have a way to rehydrate (in environments with high relative humidity, it could at least 'drink' the dew droplets that remain deposited on its leaves).

As you have seen, the flamboyant and the jacaranda are two beautiful trees, but with characteristics that make them ideal plants for different climates.


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