Carob Tree Jacaranda copaia
Previously known as:
- Jacaranda procera
- Phonetic Spelling
- jak-uh-RAHN-duh kop-AY-uh
- Description
-
Carob Tree is a flowering evergreen tree, native to the Amazon rainforest and northern South America. It belongs in the Bignoniaceae family and has abundant purple-blue flowers from late summer to early fall. The tree does have a reputation for being messy because it sheds it's flowers in the fall. If planted from seed, it may take up to 10 years to develop blossoms. Young trees have a long trunk with no branches, but large leaves grow directly from the top of the trunk similar to tree ferns. As the tree matures to it full height of more than 100 feet and 30 inches in diameter, it grows branch-free for about half of its height. The top of the tree, however, retains the vase-shaped crown of branches and leaves. Carob Tree is a pioneer species, meaning it will colonize empty spaces in the forest and areas that have been cleared.
Carob Tree grows best in a sunny location with well-draining, slightly sandy, and acidic soil. It can grow in clay and loam, but does not tolerate heavy, poorly drained soil. In its native environment, the tree is a fast grower, gaining up to 10 feet in height each year. But this rate of growth slows in less tropical climates.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to a Jacaranda-specific bacteria. Also can be prone to scale and aphids.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Jacaranda
- Species:
- copaia
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as a medicine and for fuel and wood.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South and Central Tropical America
- Distribution:
- Has been distributed to Florida, Texas, and California.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are round, flat, dry disks that break open to release tiny, winged seeds.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Produces an abundant floral display of large purple flowers covering the entire crown.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are bipinnately compound, meaning each leaf divides twice, looking fern-like. Leaflets are small, pointed, and toothed. Leaves are opposite and longer (39 inches) on juvenile than adult trees.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Bumpy
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- The trunk has rough, dark gray bark with fine vertical fissures.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Problems:
- Messy