The blue jacaranda, also known as Brazilian rose wood or green ebony, are seen as clusters of blue tubular flowers. Blue Jacaranda are natives of Northwestern Argentina and adjacent Bolivia, and are also widely found in Brazil, Peru and other surrounding tropical regions. Blue jacaranda flowers are widely grown for its ornamental value.

Kingdom

Plantae

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Lamiales

Family

Bignoniaceae

Genus

Jacaranda

Species

mimosifolia

The Blue Jacaranda flowers form a dense terminal clusters of lavender-blue, lightly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Blue jacaranda flowers are in open, terminal panicles. The calyx is reduced, broadly campanulate, 5-toothed, the teeth 1 mm long. The corolla is purplish blue, the tube is white within, 2-5 cm long, 0.7-1 cm wide at the mouth. Flowers are pubescent externally and within the level of the stamens. The Blue jacaranda flowers are up to 5 cm long, and are grouped in 30 cm panicles. Blue jacarandas bloom in spring and early summer.

The genus Jacaranda is divided into two sections, Monolobos and Dilobos, based on the number of theca on the anthers. Blue jacaranda belongs to Monolobos. It can grow to a height of 5 to 15 metres. Its leaves are up compound and are 45 cm long and with leaflets little more than 1 cm long.

The flowers of Blue jacaranda form into woody seed pods, about 5 cm in diameter, which contain numerous winged seeds.

Jacarandas are used as ornamental in many near-frostless areas all over the world. Blue jacaranda flowers stay in bloom for more than two months during spring.

Growing Blue Jacaranda

Jacarandas are Propagated by softwood cuttings or grafting. Seedlings of jacaranda take a long time to bloom. So grafted trees or those rooted from cuttings are preferred. Jacarandas flourish well in sandy, well-drained soils. Jacarandas should be watered during dry periods. Pruning of branches is very much recommended so that the branches of Jacaranda remain less than half the diameter of the trunk to help keep the plant intact and increase durability.

Caring Blue Jacaranda

• When the Jacaranda is young, the trees are tender and hence should be seen that the temperature ranges around 30 degrees F.
• Jacarandas are resistant to Oak Root Fungus, a common soil-borne disease.
• Taper off watering in late summer so as not to promote succulent and tender new growth.