Parkinsonia aculeata is a small tree, 15-20′. Its leaves are very unique and gives the tree its distinctive look. They are wispy, pendulous, and fern-like in appearance. The small bright yellow flowers bloom in clusters at the tips of the branches and contrast nicely against the leaves. They are an excellent pollen source for honeybees.…
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The Ashoka Tree (Saraca indica), not to be confused with Polyalthia longifolia, which also sometimes goes by the common name, Ashoka Tree. While they are both indigenous to India, that’s where all similarities end. Saraca indica has beautiful orangey yellow blossoms during this time of the year in South Florida. The tree has a nice…
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Bixa orellana is quite spectacular this time of year with its bright red seed pods against dark green heart shaped leaves. Prior to the seed pods ripening this tree has beautiful pinkish lavender-colored blossoms, although short-lived. The tree is native to northern S. America, Central America, and Mexico attaining a height of 15-20′ maintaining branches…
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Conanga odorata is the full-size Ylang-Ylang Tree and Conanga odorata var. fruticosa is a dwarf Ylang-Ylang Tree. They both have very fragrant flowers in the evening and early morning hours. The full-size tree can attain a height of 30+ feet in South Florida, while its dwarf cousin maybe only 12-15′. The flowers of both look…
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Clusia rosea in recent years has been mostly planted as a hedge plant to replace all of the Ficus benjamina hedges in South Florida that were decimated with white flies and thrips. However, as a stand-alone specimen tree in the landscape, as it naturally grows, it is far more spectacular. With its prop roots hanging…
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