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In the Gardens

Pride of Bolivia, Tipu Tree

Tipuana tipu

Bloom time

From June to September; dur-ing this time there are con-stantly emerging new blos-soms.

Characteristics

The imposing tree has dense foliage and a broad crown. It grows up to 10 m (11 yd.) tall. The long leaves are pinnate; the single com-pounds are longish and ovate. The yellow blossoms emerge from short panicles.

Site:

Although you may find the Pride of Bolivia on Madeira in regions up to an altitude of 600 m (655 yd.), it mainly grows in coastal areas. Especially in Funchal the tree is lin-ing many roads, e.g. the Avenida Zarco or the Rua Arcipreste behind the market hall.

Interesting to know:

The tree is native to South America (Brazil, Ar-gentina, Bolivia) where it can grow up to 35 m (38 yd.) tall. Its botanical denomination refers to the Valle Tipuana, a Bolivian valley in which the Tipu Tree develops larger populations. It belongs to the family of Fabaceae; thus it is not related to Jacaranda (Bignonia family, cf. p. 22). Anyway it is also called Yellow Jacaranda because of its pinnate leaves and blossom pan-icles. Pride of Bolivia is a fast growing, unde-manding and flexible tree, characteristics that make it popular as a street tree. Today it is even cultivated in mild regions of the Mediterranean.

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