Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia
Previously known as:
- Jacaranda procera
- Phonetic Spelling
- jak-uh-RAN-duh mi-moh-si-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Jacaranda is a tropical, deciduous tree, native to Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina. It belongs in the trumpetvine family (Bignoniaceae). It grows in seasonally dry forests and loses its leaves in the dry season. The species epithet means “having leaves like Mimosa.” Mimosa is an unrelated genus in the bean family.
Jacaranda 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 cooler climates.
Jacaranda has abundant purple-blue flowers in early spring, before the tree produces a new flush of leaves. It is one of the most spectacular and ornamental flowering trees in the subtropics. The floral show continues when the flowers drop, carpeting the ground in purple-blue. The tree does have a reputation for being messy because it sheds its flowers, but some people enjoy the shed flowers. 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, fern-like, bipinnate leaves are borne at the tips of branches. As the tree matures to its full height of 50 feet and 20 inches in diameter, it retains the vase-shaped crown of branches, although storm damage may give the crown an irregular appearance. Jacaranda is a pioneer species, meaning it will quickly colonize empty spaces in the forest and areas that have been cleared.
This tree should not be grown adjacent to a pool or patio where the dropped flowers and shed leaves might be a problem. The wood is weak, so the tree can suffer storm damage. In warm climates, the tree is used as a street tree, as a specimen, and in play areas. In cold climates, the young plants make ornamental foliage plants. They may never flower indoors, but their fern-like leaves are much appreciated.
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:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Jacaranda
- Species:
- mimosifolia
- Family:
- Bignoniaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used as a medicine and for fuel and wood.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina
- Distribution:
- Cultivated worldwide, including Florida, Texas and California.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 25 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Irregular
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are round, flat, dry disks that break open to release tiny, winged seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Produces an abundant floral display of large purple-blue flowers covering the entire crown. It blooms while leafless, just before new leaves flush out.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are bipinnately compound, meaning each leaf divides twice, looking fern-like. Leaflets are small and pointed. Leaves are opposite and longer (39 inches) on juvenile than adult trees.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Bumpy
- Fissured
- Bark Description:
- The trunk has rough, dark gray bark with fine vertical fissures.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Houseplants
- Recreational Play Area
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Messy
- Weak Wood
