What-Are-The-Benefits-Of-Jacaranda-Trees

What Are The Benefits Of Jacaranda Trees? Quick Facts

Genus Jacaranda belongs to the family Bignoniaceae and consists of 49 species. Jacaranda mimosifolia is the most famous for its healing properties among these species. Do jacaranda trees have any health benefits or commercial value?

Jacaranda mimosifolia has antiseptic and antibiotic properties that help treat hepatitis. Folk tradition uses flowers, leaves, and bark to ease neuralgia and varicose veins. Research has proven that jacaranda can treat leukemia. 

Jacaranda mimosifolia is a subtropical species of the genus Jacaranda. Native to south-central South America, the tree bears long-lasting violet-colored flowers. Jacaranda, Blue jacaranda, black poui, nupur, or fern tree are the other common names for this tree.

Jacaranda oxyphylla also offers health benefits as an antimicrobial agent in folk medicine. J. mimosifolia and J. cuspidifolia are popular ornamental trees.

Jacaranda mimosifolia is a fast-growing, deciduous tree. It grows about 5-15 m tall and up to 20-25 m on rich sites. Jacaranda trees produce fragrant purple panicle-shaped flowers.

The jacaranda prefers riverbanks, bushland, grassland, wooded ravines, or mesic habitats. Its short and malformed bole can reach 40-50 cm in diameter. The thin bark is grey-brown, and the slender twigs have a slight zigzag pattern.

The jacaranda tree shows an invasive growth habit in some tropical zones. A dense stand of plants can reduce biodiversity in an area.

The flowers are up to 5 cm long and grouped in 30-centimeter clusters. They bloom in spring and early summer and last up to two months. People cultivate jacaranda for its compound leaves, even in regions with rare blooms. Bi-pinnate compound leaves can grow up to 45 cm long.

There is often disagreement over whether the flower is purple, blue, or indigo. Depending on the species, soil, and season, the color may range from dark to light.

Woody seed pods containing flat, winged seeds follow flower panicles. Their shape is most like crab shells. Having fern-like leaves, it earns its second name from its similarity to mimosas.

What Are The Medicinal Uses Of Jacaranda Mimosifolia?

Hot jacaranda leaf bath is effective for healing wounds and skin infections. The extract shows high antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli (E. coli). It works against Staphylococcus aureus, which causes a variety of clinical problems.

J. mimosifolia is an effective remedy for treating bacterial infections like gonorrhea and syphilis. About one-third of the world’s population is allergic to penicillin. This natural treatment will be beneficial to them.

People use jacaranda in different ways for medical purposes. Some geniuses prefer essential oils extracted from leaves. 

Others use the bark, seeds, or flowers of the plant. Another group uses water extracts from any of these parts. 

The bark and roots help treat syphilis. As a local and internal application, it exhibits healing power in syphilitic ulcers. Those suffering from mental infirmities, voracious appetites, and epilepsy find consolation in jacaranda. 

Jacaranda flowers have the potential to fight cancer. The tree also aids in the treatment of diarrhea and throat infections. Gargling with an infusion made from the roots will help soothe sore throats or sores in the mouth. 

Guatemala and Mexico use jacaranda flower infusions to treat amoebic dysentery. The leaf infusion can cleanse infected wounds, acne, and skin sores. As a muscle rub, leaf infusions can help people with arthritis and rheumatism. 

The juice extracted from jacaranda leaves is effective in treating venereal diseases. It can soothe sores or ulcers caused by venereal diseases. 

The volatile oil from jacaranda leaves and bark treats buboes. Some people apply crushed leaves as poultices to heal wounds.

Jacaranda

Are There Any Other Uses For Jacarandas?

Jacaranda wood is light and fragrant. The wood’s purple-to-greyish streaks make the grain attractive. It is suitable for interior carpentry and making tool handles and carvings. 

The branches and stems of dead and dry trees make efficient firewood. Unwanted trees of suitable dimensions are ideal for making cheap furniture and ceilings.

Apart from its ornamental value, jacaranda acts as an effective windbreak. The large canopy provides filtered shade during the hot months. 

The bark extract of J. mimosifolia can suppress the hatching of larval soil nematodes. Jacaranda tree serves as a nectar source and a foraging area for African honey bees.

Folklore refers to the jacaranda as an “exam tree.” The belief is that if a flower from this tree falls on a student’s head, he will pass all his exams.

Are Jacaranda Flowers Poisonous To Humans?

Jacaranda tree contains a substance called arabinogalactan. It can cause health disorders in some cases. Horses can suffer from gastrointestinal issues and liver damage from this substance. Jacaranda leaves or flowers can cause death if ingested in large quantities. 

Are Jacaranda Trees Healthy For Bees?

J. mimosifolia attracts a variety of birds and insects. They include African honey bees and native honey eaters. In mid to late spring, jacarandas bloom massive clusters of fragrant flowers. 

The bell-shaped flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds as they appear until early summer. Bees help pollinate jacaranda. Pollen-harvesting bees flock to fallen jacaranda flowers in large numbers. Euglossine bees of medium to large size pollinate the majority of jacaranda species. 

Is It Possible To Grow Jacarandas In The Uk?

In humid and hot tropical environments, jacarandas thrive. The tree is sensitive to cold temperatures. It has difficulty surviving frequent freezing weather conditions. 

Certain jacaranda species can tolerate temperatures as low as -7°C for brief periods. It is suitable to plant jacarandas in greenhouses or conservatories in the UK. 

You can grow the dwarf variety ‘Bonsai Blue’ under cover during the winter. The place should be a frost-free environment.

In Europe, jacarandas grow on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Southern regions of Portugal, Italy, and Greece are also favorable for jacaranda. The islands of Malta and Cyprus also have them. 

Why Is It Called Blue Jacaranda?

In spring, thousands of jacaranda trees lining Pretoria’s streets turn the city blue. This plethora has led to Pretoria’s nickname of “jacaranda city.” Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. Deep purple jacaranda flowers create a bluish hue for the eyes.

Similar Posts