Tabebuia
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 Tabebuia tree, known as Ipê-amarelo (yellow ipê) in Brazil
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Tabebuia is a Neotropical genus of about 100 species in the tribe Tecomeae of the family Bignoniaceae. The species range from northern Mexico and the Antilles south to northern Argentina. Most species are on the islands of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) and Cuba.
They are large shrubs and trees growing to 5-50 m tall depending on the species; many species are dry-season deciduous but some are evergreen. The leaves are opposite pairs, simple or palmately compound with 3-7 leaflets. The flowers are 3-11 cm wide, produced in dense clusters; color varies between species, either red, yellow, pink, or white. The fruit is a pod 10-50 cm long, containing numerous winged seeds; the pods often remain on the tree through winter.
Species in this genus are important as timber trees and as ornamentals because of their showy flowers. Many flower on leafless stems at the end of the dry season, making the floral display more conspicuous.
The bark of several species is used medicinally. The wood is used for furniture, decking, and other outdoor uses. It has a fire rating of A1 (the highest possible, the same as concrete) [1], and is denser than water (it sinks). It is increasingly popular as a decking material due to its insect resistance and durability. However, the demand for ipê has risen dramatically in recent years, especially in the United States. The US is now the largest importer of ipê from Brazil and ipê has become Brazil's largest timber export. This demand is helping to fuel illegal logging, which has proven difficult to control for the government. Investigations have show that some illegal loggers in Brazil are employing slave labor. As well, illegal logging has led to violent conflicts between loggers and indigenous forest dwellers. Illegal logging is a key factor in the deforestation of the Amazon.
- Tabebuia alba (Cham.) Sandw. (syn.: Tecoma alba Cham, Handroanthus albus (Cham.) Mattos) - Brazil
- Tabebuia avellanedae Lor. ex Griseb. (Pink Ipê, Ipê-roxo, Paud'arco-roxo, Ipê-roxo-damata, Ipê-reto, Ipê-rosa, Ipê-comum, Ipê-cavatã, Lapacho, Peúva, and Piúva ; syn. Tecoma ipe Mart. ex K. Schm., Tecoma avellandedae (Lor. ex Griseb.) Spreg., Handroanthus avellanedae (Lor. ex Griseb.) Mattos, Tabebuia ipe (Mart.) Standl.) from South America, is native of Brazil; bark is used as a medicinal herb
- Tabebuia caraiba (Mart.) Bur. (syn.: Tecoma argentea Bur. et K. Sch., Tecoma caraiba Mart., Tecoma caraiba var. squamellulosa (DC.) Bur. et K. Sch., Tecoma squamellulosa DC., and Handroanthus caraiba (Mart.) Mattos)
- Tabebuia cassinoides
- Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq.) Nichols. (Araguaney) from northern South America, is the national tree of Venezuela. The flowers are yellow. In northern Colombia is known as cañaguate.[2]
- Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. ex DC.) Standl. (Golden Trumpet Tree; syn T. flavescens, T. pedicellata), from Brazil; golden-yellow to red flowers.
- Tabebuia donnell-smithii Rose (Prima vera or Gold tree), a native of Mexico and Central Americas, is considered one of the most colorful of all trees. The leaves are deciduous. Masses of golden-yellow flowers cover the crown after the leaves are shed.
- Tabebuia dura
- Tabebuia heptaphylla
- Tabebuia impetiginosa (Pau d'arco), bark used as a medicinal herb
- Tabebuia ochracea
- Tabebuia rosea (A.P. de Candolle) Britton (Pink Poui, Pink tecoma or Apama or Apamate; syn. T. pentaphylla (L.) Hemsley, widely but incorrectly applied to this species) is a popular street tree in tropical cities because of its multi-annular masses of light pink flowers and modest size. The roots are not especially aggressive towards roads and sidewalks. It is native of Brazil
- Tabebuia roseo-alba
- Tabebuia serratifolia (Yellow Poui, Ipê, Pau d'arco, Ipê roxo, or Lapacho) is a commercially farmed hardwood notable for its extreme hardness and resistance to fire and pests. Its inner bark is used as a treatment for fungal infections.
- Tabebuia umbellata
- Tabebuia vellosoi
[edit] References
- Lorenzi, H. (1992). Árvores brasileiras: manual de identificação e cultivo de plantas arbóreas nativas do Brasil. Plantarum (in Portuguese).
- Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan.
- Germplasm Resources Information Network: Tabebuia
