Jacaranda ; Harare's Emblem of Royalty
Okay, maybe this article came up because I missed the Jacaranda Music Festival over the weekend but next time this article will serve as a reminder . Harare locals
admire always look forward to this part of the year owing to the rich purple color
that is symbolic in the marking of Zimbabwe’s summer and the rains it brings.
The Jacaranda tree is native of South America. It towers a magnificent 20 – 30 meters
in height and its flowers produced in large panicles. Each flower with five
lobed blue to purple-blue corolla
Several of
its species are used as ornamental plants
with a core value of intense flower displays. Th genus thrives is full
sun and sandy soils, explaining its dominance in the city of Harare. Younger plants are not known to survive in colder
climates when temperatures drop below freezing. The trees are also found in Tanzania
, Kenya to mention but a few.