The jacaranda is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central America, South America, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

 

They have been widely planted across the world due to their prolific, spectacular annual blossom.  Pretoria in South Africa is noted to have over 70,000 flowering Jacaranda trees.   They were first introduced in Australia in the 1850's by visiting sea captains from South America trading in wheat and grain.  Their twisted, Oak-like branches and purple flower have since been a popular inclusion to front lawns, parks, and streetscapes in towns in sub-tropical NSW and QLD.  Grafton in northern NSW has become famous for its 1700+ trees and annual Jacaranda Festival.

 

Mature trees live on average 50 to 80 years (some up to 150 years if well cared for) and range in size from 20 to 30 m (66 to 98 ft) tall.  Each spring they sprout flowers in conspicuous large panicles, each flower with a five-lobed blue to purple-blue corolla.  A few species have white flowers, but they are less championed.