Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia
This photo was taken in an urban landscape setting, Glendale, Arizona, USA. May 2011. Two golden-brown seed pods are at lower right.
The large, tubular purple flowers are borne in dense sprays that ought to bring
in bees or other pollinators. In deed the related bignon,
Tecoma stans, brings in large carpenter bees, for example. But
Jacarandas are native to South America and therefore, our native fauna has no
relationship with these plants. The foliage is free of caterpillars, beetles,
and sucking bugs. For as a fastidiuos gardener, this sounds great. But for bird
lovers and people who appreciate arthropod diversity this is a wrong plant
to add to our unique Sonoran Desert habitat.