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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical,
tropical
Vigour
:
fairly fast
growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings, aerial
layering
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree
Height
:
10 m-25 m
Spread
:
8 m-15 m
Foliage
:
deciduous
FLOWER
Colour
:
pink, secondary:
lilac, white,
yellow
Period
:
February - April
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
20 cm - 40 cm
Toxicity
:
inedible
The Pink Trumpet Tree is a very beautiful, flowering tree in its native habitats of South America;
in certain situations in Arriyadh, such as the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, where the micro-
climate is suitable, it has become an attractive addition to the planting palette. Fast growing and
deciduous, it will reach a height of up to 25 metres, in Arriyadh much less; it has a wide crown
with thick, layered branches. The bark can be grey to brown and vertically fissured. Dark-green
leaves are compound and finger-like: each leaf has five leaflets, the middle one being the largest.
The tree begins to drop its leaves at the end of a hot, dry summer; large, purplish-pink to nearly
white flowers, measuring almost 7 cm across, open in early spring. Long and slender seedpods
contain many winged seeds. Fallen flowers retain the pink colour, forming a colourful carpet be-
neath the tree. In an arid location, the tree flowers very profusely. A moderately drought-resistant
tree, T. rosea grows well in deep rich, well-drained sandy soil with variable pH values, but re-
quires regular, abundant irrigation. It can be damaged by frost. Pests and diseases have not been
observed. Propagation is by branch cuttings and seed. The Pink Trumpet Tree is a common and
showy flowering tree in the tropics, and is often planted along roads, and in parks and gardens.
It is an excellent shade and specimen tree for pathways. Maintenance is low: trees withstand a
limited amount of pruning, but cannot be cut back hard.
290
Tabebuia rosea,
Bignoniaceae
Pink Trumpet Tree