Tipuana tipu
| Tipuana tipu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tipuana Tipu, Revivim, Israel | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Tipuana |
| Species: | T. tipu |
| Binomial name | |
| Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze | |
Tipuana tipu, also known as Rosewood and Pride of Bolivia, is a South American tree of the genus Tipuana.
Physical characteristics
Growing up to thirty metres in height and twenty metres wide, Tipuana tipu is well known for its use as a shade tree. The leaves of the tree vary in length from 2 to 7 centimetres or more and they grow in clusters. The flowers are bright yellow in color and bloom only briefly in the late summer. The fruit is a legume (pod) with the seed at one end, resembling a samara (the fruit of the Ash genus, Fraxinus). It is a deciduous tree, shedding all of its leaves and large "helicopter" seed packets from January–May each year. It produces masses of seeds, most of which succeed in germinating, and it can withstand a very wide range of growing conditions, from -4 degrees C to salty soils to drought.[1]
Invasiveness
Tipuana tipu is viewed as an invasive weed in some countries and is known for having a very aggressive root system.[2] The tree roots can easily lift up concrete and asphalt. Precautions should be taken when planting near buildings, homes, or pools, as they are likely to be damaged. Damage may sometimes be averted by trenching near the structure to a depth of about 1 metre and filling the trench with building rubble or lining the trench with thick plastic sheeting.
Insects
The species is a food plant for spittlebugs such as Ptyelus grossus. In Southern California, an insect called Tipu Psyllid has invaded several trees.[3]
References
- ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1625878.htm
- ↑ http://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/alert/t-tipu.html
- ↑ University of California, Riverside, Center for Invasive Species Research.