Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Purple spring: 5 fun facts about jacarandas 

Purple is the color of spring in Mexico, thanks to the jacaranda tree. 

Every spring, millions of residents in Mexico City and beyond are charmed by the purple canopies of this beloved tree. Although it has become a staple of the season for nearly a century, did you know it isn’t native to Mexico? 

In fact, it is originally from South America.

Despite it’s association with Mexico City, the jacaranda is actually from Brazil! (João Medieros/Wikimedia)

1. The jacaranda tree arrived from Brazil

Jacarandas are native to a region known as Gran Chaco that spans Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. They were brought to Mexico by Japanese immigrant Tatsugoro Matsumoto in the 1930s.  

Matsumoro, who worked as a gardener in the Chapultepec Castle — the former presidential residence — advised President Pascual Ortiz Rubio to plant jacarandas instead of cherry trees, as they would better adapt to the city’s climate. 

Clearly, he was right!

2. Its purple flower blossoms during the spring 

Blossoming from February through March, the jacaranda grows an abundance of lilac and violet flowers in bunches that completely cover the tree. Due to their vibrant purple color, they have become ornamental trees all across Mexico City (and most states in the country). 

The New York Times described the jacaranda blossoming season as “an explosion of purple flowers.” When the flowers fall, “the sky blooms on the ground,” wrote Alberto Ruy Sánchez in his book “Dicen las Jacarandas” (“What the Jacarandas Say”).

Jacaranda in Mexico City
Many jacarandas are found in upscale neighborhoods throughout the capital. (ANDREA MURCIA /CUARTOSCURO.COM)

3. There are more found in wealthy neighborhoods

According to an analysis by the newspaper Expansión, although the jacaranda tree can be found in most areas of Mexico City, they’re particularly prominent in the wealthiest neighborhoods. 

Based on data from real estate websites like Propiedades.com and VivaAnuncios.com, the study argues that the abundance of jacarandas in these areas raises the price of neighborhoods, including the exclusive areas of Polanco, Juárez, Del Valle, Condesa, and Cuahutémoc.

4. They grow quickly

Jacarandas can vary from 6 to 25 meters and grow at an average of 1.5 meters per year. It only takes jacarandas about three to five years to become an “adult tree” and to start blossoming flowers. 

5. Its name has different meanings and symbolisms

The original name is pronounced “jacarandá,” with the stress on the last syllable. It comes from the Guaraní language spoken in Brazil and Paraguay, and some experts consider it to mean “fragrant” (which is odd because the jacaranda flower doesn’t have a scent) or “strong wood.”

Since the jacaranda blossoms in spring, it is associated with rebirth and the “magic” of the season. 

In the Amazon, the jacaranda is associated with the goddess of the moon and is also considered a sign of good fortune. According to legend, if a jacaranda flower falls on your head, it will bring you good luck. 

So, next time you’re standing under a jacaranda tree, don’t move and you might end up a lucky fellow!

With reports from The New York Times, Bioparque Brasil, Expansión and Reforma

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
The town of Taxco at sunset

5 things you probably didn’t know about Mexico’s ‘Silver Capital’

3
This Guerrero town has a long and storied history from mining to tourism - but did you know it's also an official City of Light?
A thermometer that reads 42.4 degrees Celsius in Monterrey, Mexico

Third heat wave lingers as hurricane season starts in the Atlantic

2
The northern and coastal regions of Mexico will continue to see high temperatures throughout this week.
Former U.K. ambassador to Mexico Jonathan Benjamin points an assault rifle at the camera in a blurry video screenshot

British ambassador sacked after pointing an assault rifle at embassy employee

5
The incident was exposed by an anonymous social media account dedicated to exposing alleged mistreatment of staff at the U.K. Embassy in Mexico.