Handroanthus chrysotrichus / Tabebuia chrysantha - Golden trumpet tree
Family:
Native to:
Habitat:
Bignoniaceae
Parts of Central and north-western South America
Clearings of deciduous tropical forests. Tree up to 25 meters, up to 2300 meters above sea level.
Ecological value:
Showy flowers, fruits during dry season, moderately drought tolerant. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds including glittering-bellied emerald hummingbirds (Chlorostilbon lucidus) and white-throated hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis). Useful honey plant. Tolerant of salt-laden winds.
Material uses:
Good quality hardwood, known as Ipe. Very heavy and hard, and durable including when in contact with soil. Fungi and termite resistant. Used for outdoor furniture, general construction, for handles and high quality furniture/cabinetry. Veneer.
Edible uses:
Some records claim the flowers are edible.
Medicinal use:
Bark used to treat syphilis.
Other details:
Ornamental tree: yellow blooms on leafless tree. National tree of Venezuela. Handroanthus belongs to a genus of 30 species of trees. Previously known as Tabebuia chrysantha. Tabebuia spp has similar characteristics to Handroanthus spp.
Research:
Christine Facella
Sources:
“Handroanthus Chrysotrichus (Mart. Ex DC.) Mattos | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.” n.d. Plants of the World Online. Accessed November 26, 2023. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:109691-1/general-information.
“Handroanthus Chrysotrichus - Useful Tropical Plants.” n.d. Tropical.theferns.info. Accessed November 12, 2023. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Handroanthus+chrysotrichus.
Luciana Baza Mendonça & Luiz dos Anjos, 'Beija-flores (Aves, Trochilidae) e seus recursos florais em uma área urbana do Sul do Brasil', Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 22, 2005
Lorenzi. H., ‘Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition’, Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil, 2002
Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A. , ‘Medicinal Plants of Brazil’, Reference Publications; Michigan, 2000
“Ipe: The Most Versatile Outdoor Wood Species?” 2011. Www.mataverdedecking.com. November 8, 2011. https://www.mataverdedecking.com/blog/bid/104464/ipe-the-most-versatile-outdoor-wood-species#:~:text=Ipe%20(pronounced%20E%27%2Dpay.
Image source: Veronidae.