Plantidote of the Day 2011-07-01

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Jacaranda

Correntian JoeinSF gets a great big hat tip for today's photo of a jacaranda tree in bloom, something that eluded me this summer. Normally at this time of year, the jacarandas (jak-a-RAN-das) are in full bloom here in Zone 10. That means hundreds of 25-40 foot tall trees all over the city are simultaneously covered in lavender blossoms for three or four weeks. It's truly one of the best things about Los Angeles.

But this year, that didn't happen. One bloomed here, another there and then they just sputtered out. Not the trees' fault. This spring was way too cool for them, plus there was a lot of wind, two things they don't like.

Fortunately, JoeinSF had better luck capturing the splendor of these trees up in the Bay Area. He explains:

There are a few things I miss about Los Angeles: Great Mexican food, ample parking, warm summer evenings, and jacarandas in full bloom. As the picture shows, they do bloom in San Francisco. But the extra dose of warmth in Southern California makes a mature LA jacaranda, not to mention an entire street lined with mature jacarandas, something that makes you pause and enjoy.

I'm not sure where this "ample parking" is :-), but the rest sounds accurate, especially the part about the trees. Thanks, Joe!!

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Readers, please send twig (twig4now@gmail.com) images and stories for the ongoing Plantidote of the Day series. In exchange, you'll win undying fame in the form of a hat tip! Plants growing in your garden, your house, or neighbor's yard, plants from the forest or farmers' market, plants you preserved, plants you prepared (wine; cider; tea; dried beans), plants you harvested (grains; chanterelles), plants you picked (flowers), plants you dried (herbs), plants you covet or hope to grow someday. Herbal remedies, propagation tips, new varieties, etc.. And if you can, include some solid detail about the plant, too -- a story, the genus and species, or where you got the seeds, or the recipe, or your grandmother gave it to you. Or challenge us with a "Name That Plant" mystery entry ... And please feel free to add corrections and additional information in the comments.

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