Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC.

Tabebuia rosea is a medium to large-sized deciduous tree up to 25 m high. Flowers purplish-pink to nearly white, up to 8 cm long. Fruit a linear dehiscent capsule containing many winged seeds. The generic name is after the Brazilian local name for Tabebuia serratifolia.

The principal flush of shoot growth takes place during the early rainy season and is completed within 2-3 months. The small, terminal flower buds of new shoots remain dormant for several months. When leaves begin to abscise during the dry season, flower buds swell and the large, pink flowers open. Frequently, leaves in the upper part of the tree crown fall earlier than those in the lower part, and flowers open 1st on the bare upper branches. Fruits develop during the months following anthesis, often simultaneously with the emergence of new shoots.

T. rosea grows well in deep rich soil.

In Sri Lanka it does not thrive in dry districts at sea level. The branches are easily broken by strong winds.

Introduced into many tropical countries as an ornamental, for example in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where it was introduced in about 1888.

Seed is produced in moderate quantity, and natural regeneration is found in the vicinity of seed bearers; cuttings root quickly. Established mostly by direct sowing and subsequent planting out to permanent sites when about 60 cm high. It can also be propagated by branch cuttings. Germinating capacity is maintained for a very short time.

T. rosea is fast growing, especially when young. Trees withstand a limited amount of pruning but not pollarding. In Sri Lanka, early growth is faster than that of any other ornamental tree used in the country, reaching a height of over 9 m in about 3 years at Colombo. Where conditions are not favourable, bark-burst has been observed. The lifespan is about 50 years.

Seed storage behaviour is intermediate; seeds tolerate desiccation to 7.1% mc (99% germination), storage temperature of 5 deg. C; viability is maintained for 30 months in hermetic air-dry storage at 10 deg. C. There are about 42 000 seeds/kg.

Ornamental: This is one of the most common and showy of the flowering trees of the New World tropics and sub-tropics.

Timber: T. rosea yields an excellent timber.