The Tabebuia guayacán, a species of flowering tree, It is known for its iconic cylindrical trunk and beautiful flowers. Also known as Mexican squash, it belongs to the Bignoniaceae family.
Known by other names such as: white oak in Central America and the Caribbean, poppy, purple rose, in Mexico. Cambora, taipoca, in Brazil, oak, sabanero, polvillo, in Colombia. Gurupa, araguaney, orum, in Venezuela, false oak in Nicaragua, hand of León in Guatemala, savanna oak in Costa Rica.
Characteristics of the Tabebuia guayacán
It is a deciduous tree, it grows about 15 to 30 meters high with a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. Its wood is of high quality, but It is planted as an ornamental tree due to the presence of attractive yellow flowers.
This tree is ideal for sandy clay soils, although it prefers well-drained soils, with a slightly acidic, neutral and alkaline PH. It cannot grow in the shade and prefers moist soils.
Tabebuia guayacán is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the southwestern United States. This tree is appreciated for its high quality wood, which is often used to manufacture a wide variety of products.
Type of leaves and wood
All the evergreen They have various shades of green and have an elongated shape with pointed ends. It has tiny whitish scales on the inner surface.
The wood it produces is a hard, durable and attractive material. It's very exotic, has a range of colors that range from greenish to brown and sometimes black.
It has great properties ideal for construction as it provides a great barrier against moisture. In other cases it may have a reddish brown tone and straight, fine veining, making it an ideal choice for high-quality woodworking projects.
It is resistant to rot and insects, and usually lasts for many years if properly maintained. It is also hard, dense, very resistant to shocks. It's a little hard to work with and a little prone to chipping, but it has a very smooth finish and polishes very well.
Flowers and fruits
Tabebuia guayacán produces yellow or golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that They bloom in spring and sometimes last until fall.
The flowers have a trumpet-shaped corolla, and are favorites of bees and other pollinators. They can reach up to 8 cm in length, are hermaphrodites, and are arranged in short bunches at the tips of the twigs. The flowers are large and very showy.
The flowers give way to a brown, pod-shaped fruit with wing-shaped seeds that the tree distributes through the wind. These fruits remain intact on the tree for several months before falling to the ground.
The fruits usually appear in the period where there is no rain, in which the seeds must be dry. That is when germination occurs. The growth of these trees is slow but their longevity is very long.
It contains many seeds, is dark green when ripe. It is elongated and can reach up to 35 cm in length. It opens through two openings and lets the shiny, whitish, almost transparent seeds escape. Produces 240 to 300 seeds per pod.
Flowering occurs almost explosively and almost all trees of that species bloom on the same day. Its flowers last about 4 days, although There may be differences in flowering time from one area to another.
In the Central American area, the flowers appear in the months of February to April, the fruits can be presented in March and May.
Uses of wood and other purposes
The wood is very durable and is very resistant to insect attack. It has a smooth finish and is an excellent material for different uses in construction. It can also be used to make tool handles, furniture, flooring, coverings, cabinets and other items.
It is used for its strength and durability for musical instruments, such as guitars, violins, marimbas and flutes. Furthermore, wood is used often to create decorative objects such as bowls, vases and works of art.
The bark of this tree species can also be used for various medicinal formulas. which are marketed as anticancer, antifungal and antiviral agents. They can help the formation of scar tissue.
The healers of the areas formerly used the bark to combat the effects of snake bites.
It also has medicinal properties; you can make a tea with its leaves. to relieve urinary tract and kidney problems.
Provenance
The Tabebuia guayacán is a relatively short tree that normally only reaches 15 meters in height, but can grow many more meters in some cases. It has a wide crown and slightly drooping branches that give it a graceful appearance.
This tree is usually found in tropical and subtropical areas of the southwestern United States, as well as in Mexico and Central and South America.
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and usually proliferates in sandy areas near ocean coasts or near river banks. It grows in dry, humid, or very humid forests, also from Mexico, to Peru and Brazil, and in Panama it is common in secondary forests and urban areas.
The Tabebuia guayacán is a tree with many desirable qualities; Its majestic and cylindrical trunk gives it a unique elegance and an airy appearance in any environment. Plus, its hard, durable wood is ideal for a wide variety of projects, from furniture and musical instruments to decorative items.
Finally, with its beautiful and fragrant flowers, It is a popular choice for gardens and landscapes in tropical and subtropical areas. If you want to add a touch of natural beauty, strength and elegance to your home or garden, a Tabebuia guayacán tree is an excellent choice.
By properly caring for and maintaining this great tree, you will be able to enjoy its beauty and unique benefits. Whether you are a carpenter, landscaper or homeowner, there are many ways to make the most of the abundance of features it offers. Its unique and beautiful flowers, its robust, resistant wood, and its imposing and striking presence are sure to enhance any project or space.