Family: Bignoniaceae

This memorable tree shows off a crown of bright yellow flowers annually during spring and summer. It can grow up to 35 feet and has a maximum width of 30 feet. The tree is not showy for most of the year when not flowering; it is leafless in the dry season and begins growing leaves in the wet season. Its wood is well-known for its durability and strength, and its bark extract has a variety of medicinal uses.

Plant Uses:

• Medicinal
• Ornamental
• Woodworking

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Puerto Rico
  
• Repeated introductions outside native range (Asia, South Africa, Florida)
  
• Wind-dispersed winged seeds
  
• Prolific seed production (~285 seeds/fruit)
  
• Fire-adapted (cerrado vegetation)
  
• Congeneric weed exists

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a weed (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• No spines, thorns, toxicity, or allelopathy
  
• Not shade-tolerant (requires full sun)
  
• Self-incompatible (no uniparental reproduction)
  
• No vegetative spread
  
• Short-lived seed bank (~6 months at room temperature)
  
• No animal, water, or contaminant dispersal