In December, a spectacular sight can be seen as certain trees flower. These include the vibrant purple Jacaranda and the flamboyant tree.
Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia is a sub-tropical tree native to south-central South America that has been widely planted elsewhere because of its attractive and long-lasting violet-colored flowers. It is also known as the jacaranda, blue jacaranda, black poui, Nupur or fern tree. Older sources call it J. acutifolia, but modern authorities usually classify it as J. mimosifolia.
The tree grows to a height of up to 20 m (66 ft.). Its bark is thin and gray-brown, smooth when the tree is young but eventually becoming finely scaly. The twigs are slender and slightly zigzag; they are a light reddish-brown.
The flowers are up to 5 cm (2 in) long, and are grouped in 30 cm (12 in) panicles. They appear in spring and early summer, and last for up to two months. They are followed by woody seed pods, about 5 cm (2 in) in diameter, which contain numerous flat, winged seeds.
The blue jacaranda is cultivated for the sake of its large compound leaves, even in areas where it rarely blooms. The leaves are up to 45 cm (18 in) long and bi-pinnately compound, with leaflets little more than 1 cm (0.4 in) long. The wood is pale grey to whitish, straight-grained, relatively soft, and knot-free.
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Jacaranda mimosifolia is native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, northern Argentina (Salta, Jujuy, Catamarca, and Misiones provinces), and southern Bolivia. It is found in the Dry Chaco and flooded savannas, and in the Southern Andean Yungas of the eastern Andean piedmont and inter-Andean valleys, up to 2600 meters elevation.
The taxonomic status of the blue jacaranda is unsettled. ITIS regards the older name, J. acutifolia, as a synonym for J. mimosifolia. However, some modern taxonomists maintain the distinction between these two species, regarding them as geographically distinct: J. acutifolia is endemic to Peru, while J. mimosifolia is native to Bolivia and Argentina. If this distinction is made, cultivated forms should be treated as J. mimosifolia, since they are believed to derive from Argentine stock.
Other synonyms for the blue jacaranda are J. chelonia and J. ovalifolia.
Jacaranda trees have been introduced to South Africa by Baron von Ludwig during the start of the botanical garden in Cape Town around 1829. Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is popularly known as Jacaranda City because of the large number of trees. It is estimated that Pretoria and surroundings are home to more than 65,000 of them. Jacaranda trees turn the city blue and purple when they flower in spring. Water scarcity has South Africa trying to eradicate foreign species of plants and trees, including the jacaranda.
The first jacaranda bloomed in Sydney, Australia, in about 1850. An 1865 report mentioned that Sydneysiders were visiting the Botanic Garden to see the tree's "luxuriant blossom". This tree was over 175 years old as of 2023, and protected by ropes to prevent it from falling apart. In the early 20th Century, Margaret Fell, wife of John Fell, was significant in boosting the popularity of jacarandas.
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In the United States, the jacaranda is grown extensively in California, the Southwest, southeast Texas and Florida. Jacaranda can be found throughout most of Southern California, where they were imported by the horticulturalist Kate Sessions. They are also planted as far north as the San Francisco Bay Area and along the frost-free coastal regions of Northern California. In San Francisco, they can only be grown in the city's warmest microclimates, such as Potrero Hill and the Mission District. Phoenix, Arizona, and San Diego, California, are known for them.
Jacarandas are also common in other cities across Southern Africa. They were introduced to Cape Town; then Johannesburg; Windhoek, Namibia; Lusaka, Zambia; Gaborone, Botswana; Nairobi, Kenya; and Harare, Zimbabwe. Beyond the region, Jacaranda are also cultivated in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Jharkhand states in India. They are also a common sight in Israel, mainly in the towns and cities of the coastal plain.
References to the jacaranda plant recur in the musical work of Trevor Rabin, providing the title of his 2012 solo album and also appearing in the lyrics of "I'm Running", a song which he co-wrote and performed as part of Yes and which appeared on their 1987 album Big Generator. In Argentina, María Elena Walsh dedicated her song "Canción del Jacarandá" to the tree.
The University of Queensland in Brisbane is particularly well known for its ornamental jacarandas, and a common maxim among students holds that the blooming of the jacarandas signals the time for serious study for end-of-year exams; the jacaranda when in bloom is also known as the exam tree. Purple panic is a term used by students in south-east Queensland for student stress during the period of late spring and early summer. The "purple" refers to the flowers of Jacaranda trees, which bloom at that time and have been extensively planted throughout that district. There is a similar maxim concerning the jacaranda at the University of Sydney, in the main quadrangle, which was planted by E.G.
Flamboyant Tree
TOP 15 STUNNING and BEAUTIFUL Trees
The scientific name is Delonix regia and it belongs to the pea family of Fabaceae. Other common names include the flame tree and the royal poinciana. Native to Madagascar, the flamboyant tree can be found in almost every tropical and sub-tropical country around the world. It is quite drought resistant and its umbrella-shaped canopy provides a lot of shade.
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This tree is a popular ornamental tree is because of its dashing colour when flowering. The flowers are almost orchid-shaped, about 10cm big and when in full bloom the entire tree is covered in flowers; one of the reasons why this tree is so spectacular. Seeing it from afar all you see is red red red! Pods can grow long as 50cm and make for interesting decorations once dried out.
Christmas Tree Selection in Kenya
Finding the right Christmas tree and decorations in Kenya can sometimes be a frustrating experience due to limited selections and high prices. However, knowing what to look for can make the process easier. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a Christmas tree:
- Type of Tree: Decide whether you want a real or artificial tree. Real trees have a wonderful smell and feel, but they require more care and can’t be reused.
- Size of the Tree: Consider the height and width of the tree. Make sure it fits in the space where you plan to set it up. For instance, if you have high ceilings, you might want a taller tree.
- Pre-lit or Unlit Tree: Pre-lit trees come with lights already installed, which can save you time and effort.
- Style and Theme: Consider your overall Christmas decor theme. Do you prefer a traditional red and green color scheme, or something more modern? Maybe you want a rustic theme, or a winter wonderland.
- Quality of Decorations: Look for decorations that are well-made and durable.
- Safety: If you have small children or pets, avoid decorations that are sharp, breakable, or small enough to be a choking hazard.
- Budget: Determine your budget before you start shopping.
Where to Buy Christmas Trees and Decorations
Anko Retail offers everything you need to create a magical and unforgettable festive season:
- Unmatched Selection: They boast the largest and most diverse collection of Christmas trees and decorations in Kenya.
- Expert Assistance: Their friendly and experienced staff is there to help!
- Competitive Prices: Enjoy the best prices on all your Christmas essentials at Anko Retail.
- See Before You Buy: Visit their Anko Retail stores on Chaka Road Kilimani or Kiambu Road to browse our expansive Christmas selection in person.
Additionally, Anko Retail offers a vast collection of festive adornments and an extensive selection of Christmas lights to create a magical ambiance.
Other Beautiful Trees Native to Kenya
Trees are essential for life on this planet, but they are also beautiful plants and there are many different species spread across the planet to admire. So, now we know what a tree is, let’s discover 8 beautiful trees native to Kenya.
Here's a glimpse at some other notable native trees:
- Meru Oak: A deciduous tree that grows at elevations of 3000 to 6000 feet in montane forests, or rocky hills, and is one of the largest African trees at its full height of 114 feet.
- Euphorbia cussonides: It’ll reach an approximate height of 50 feet on a fluted gray-brown trunk with a dense crown of purple-red leaves that mature to shiny green.
- Fever Tree (Vachellia xanthophloea): Fever trees reach 49 to 82 feet tall and have instantly recognizable powdery greenish-yellow bark with new purple twigs.
- African Tulip Tree: It reaches a maximum of 80 feet tall in its native tropical dry forest habitat, but tends to remain smaller (anything from seven feet) in cultivation. It’s identifying feature is its large and showy orange flowers that reach up to 12 inches in length and hold water, which birds are quick to take advantage of.
- Umbrella Thorn Acacia Tree (Vachellia tortilis): It’s a medium to large evergreen with a tall trunk and wide flat canopy that certainly keeps the rain off! This flat-topped spiny tree has pinnate leaves with gray-green leaflets and creamy fragrant flowers in spring.
- Nile Trumpet (Markhamnia lutea): The Nile trumpet is an evergreen tree that can reach around 16 feet tall. It’s not hard to see where this tropical African native gets it name. Its sausage like fruits reach two feet in length, weigh 15 pounds, and look exactly like a sausage.
Before we finish up on beautiful trees native to Kenya, there’s one more plant worth mentioning. These corals are native to the African coast and Indo-Pacific areas. They grow on reef slopes in clean water with tidal currents and eat algae.
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