Exotic Flowering Trees

Purple Flower Jacaranda

• A native of the Amazon River basin in Brazil, the purple flower jacaranda features bright purple clusters of trumpet-shaped blossoms that bloom for eight weeks or longer. The small, 1 1/2 inch flowers appear from April through June, growing along the tips of the branches. The plant blooms in the summer with the blossoms falling to the ground, creating an interesting and eye-catching blaze of color around the base of the tree. The evergreen, deciduous plant grows from 8 to 24 feet in height, depending on the location. The plant features fine-textured leaves that resemble ferns. The tree grows well as an ornamental plant in frost-free areas around the world.

Acacia Koaia

• The Acacia Koaia comes from Hawaii where it is known for its decorative wood. The rare tree produces clusters of small, yellow flowers that resemble powder-puffs. The tree adapts well to dry conditions. Acacia Koaia grows two types of leaves, including young and mature leaves, that form on branches that give the tree a gnarled appearance. Flowers appear at the ends of the branches. Long seed pods up to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide appear after the flowers fade. The tree thrives at low elevations in dry, open woodland areas. The tree is used to create surfboards, paddles and a dye used on cloth.

Erythrina Americana

• The Erythrina Americana features bright red flowers that appear on the end of terminal spikes. The flowers appear in early spring at the same time as the leaves start popping out. The tree grows up to 18 feet in height with wide-spreading branches that make the tree wider than it is tall. After the flowers fade, seed pods up to an inch long appear. The tree grows in Central Mexico as well as warmer countries in tropical Africa, Europe and Cuba. Erythrina Americana also grows in the southeastern United States and Hawaii. The flowers from the tree get used in salads, soup and tea. In Mexico, the flowers are cooked with egg to produce an omelet-like dish. The tree works as a shade tree for coffee crops in Mexico. While the seeds are toxic, the flowers, leaves and bark are used to treat insomnia in some parts of the world.