Tabebuia Avellanedae

Common names: Tabebuia avellanedae, Pink lapacho, T. impetiginosa, Ipe Roxo, Taheboo tree

• • It is a deciduous and an evergreen tree which grows up to a height of 50 ft (45 m) and 10 ft (3 m) in diameter.

  • The leaves are broad and fowers are large and tubular shaped. The flowers are 2-3 inch long lavender-pink flowers with yellow centers. There are 4 stamens and a staminode. They appear in clusters in early spring and cover the bare branches.

  • The fruit consists of a narrow dehiscent capsule containing several winged seeds.

  • The bark is brownish grey, tough and hard to peel. Wood is of a pleasant yellowish colour, barely knoted and very tough and heavy.

  • The flowers come from July to September, before the new leaves appear.

  • The plant is generally known for their tolerance to coastal conditions but this plant prefers a warm sunny site away from the beach.

  • The inner bark of the plant is very useful.

    • It has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

    • It is scraped and tea is brewed from it. The tea is known for its cool and bitter flavour, and is used to cure malaria, fever, arthritis, skin problems, and syphilis.

  • Its extremely hard wood makes it resistant to disease and decay and makes fine furniture. It is rich in tannins.

  • The flowers are beautiful which are used in landscaping and decoration.

Location at the lake:

• • Near the coconut grove side

31-May-2011