TABEBUIA CHRYSANTHA

Just yesterday as I was walking from the Visitor's Centre drop-off bay to the Satay by the Bay, I came across this short avenue of trees that caught my attention. Clusters of breathtakingly beautiful yellow flowers adorn the almost leafless trees.

The trees looked familiar and reminded me of the Tabebuia chrysotricha (Family: Bignoniaceae), which is the National Tree of Brazil, I have seen before although it was not as impressive in terms of its stature and flowering. With excitement, I was certain that this is the Tabebuia chrysantha (chrysantha means golden flower in greek), which on the other hand is the National Tree of Venezuela, although both share the same Common Name (Golden Trumpet Tree). Compared to T. chrysotricha, the leaves of the T. chrysantha are larger and the flowers are in larger clusters. Another interesting feature is the slightly bronzy leaves, floral buds and long dehiscent capsules, which bear wind dispersed winged seeds, are covered with fine hairs.

Another similar looking tree with silverish leaves and golden flowers is T. argentea (Common Name: Silver Trumpet Tree, Carribean Trumpet Tree).

I hope I will be lucky enough to see the ground littered with its fallen yellow flowers to form a beautiful carpet.

MYRCIARIA CAULIFLORA

This unknown tree with interesting flaking bark recently produced lots of green to black fruits along the length of its branches. I was so mesmerized by the shiny black orbs although I kept wondering why I never noticed the flowers? They must be kind of inconspicuous but I will start looking out for them from now on.

NB on 11 Jan 13: The black fruits of this tree known as Myrciaria cauliflora (Common Name: Brazilian Grape Tree, Jaboticaba, Jabuticaba; Family: Myrtaceae) is used to make jam, tart, wine and liqeur. I don't remember seeing the white flowers but I definitely saw the fruits. Since it is edible, I will taste one of the fruits when I see it again.