Guayacan Trumpet Tree -The princess of the forest plays her fanfare-

Botanical name: Tabebuia guayacan (Bignoniaceae)

MAGICAL AND TRUE

Guayacan- a rare and attractive tree from a mature rainforest has something unreal and magical. Discovering a blooming, shining yellow Guayacan is like finding a treasure. Guayacan let’s you foresee the starting date of the green season – the tree is said to bloom one month before the rains start.

The origin of Guayacan is in Central America, as well as the other countries in tropical America. The tree grows slowly and reaches up to 50 m (164 ft) tall and can have a 1.5 m (5 ft) trunk diameter and an age of hundreds of years. The highly appreciated wood is heavy, dark brown and hard. Due to the wood, Guayacan is one of the most valued trees in the Latin American tropics.

THE GOLDEN FLOWERS AND THE WINGED SEEDS

During the dry season, Guayacan sheds its leaves, turning rapidly green again at the start of the rainy season. The beautiful yellow, trumpet-like flowers generally open up around February/March, making the tree one of the most beautiful in the jungle. The tree normally bears fruit at the end of March. 25-60 cm (10-23 inch) long, green and a bit uneven the fruit resemble bean pods. Inside the fruit, the seeds have small wings.

THE TENDER PRINCESS OF THE FOREST

The Guayacan is not only beautiful but also offers relief for several health problems. Tea made from the flowers treats urine and kidney trouble. The flower tea has also been used to treat tuberculosis in Latin America.