There is a profusion of lilac in the streets of several Portuguese cities that does not go by unnoticed. The jacarandas are now in bloom.

The jacaranda is a deciduous tree from South America and was likely introduced in Lisbon during the 19th century by Félix de Avelar Brotero, the director of the Ajuda botanical garden.

The most common species is Jacaranda mimosifolia, also known as fern tree. The epithet mimosifolia, which means ‘mimosa leaves’, comes from the similarity of its leaves, which are perfectly cut, with those of the acacia (Acacia dealbata), also known as mimosa.

It is a medium sized tree that can reach a height of about 15 meters and has a rapid growth.

The jacaranda reaches its maximum beauty between May and June, due to its lavender-blue flowering contrasting with its dark branches, especially since at this time the tree is still stripped of leaves. As they fall, the flowers weave beautiful blue carpets.

Because this is a tree from South America, it prefers warmer climates and that is why it does better south of Lisbon, but there are also some specimens in cities to the north, such as Praça da República, in Aveiro.

Its fruits (capsules) also appear when the tree are in bloom, they are woody, measure about 6 centimetres and resemble castanets (the percussion instrument).

In Lisbon there are several gardens, squares and streets with jacaranda trees, which have become emblematic and are associated with the city’s image, however, there are several complaints from citizens since during the flowering season, as the flowers begin to fall they soil the floors creating a kind of glue that has a slightly unpleasant smell.

Still, it is an impressive spectacle to observe the jacarandas in bloom.

Amália Souto de Miranda, Landscape Architect – Loci Studio