12 Types of Tabebuia (Trumpet) Trees- (Identification Guide)

Tabebuia trees are some of the most spectacular flowering trees in the tropics. In the dry season, many drop their leaves and then burst into masses of trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, purple, yellow or white, so the whole crown seems to glow with color. Because of their flowers they are often called trumpet trees, and in South America many are known as ipê, poui or pau d’arco.

They belong to the bignonia family, the same family as jacaranda, the African tulip tree and the trumpet creeper vine. All are native to the tropical Americas, from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina. Today they are planted as street and shade trees in Florida, southern California, Hawaii, India, Southeast Asia, Australia and other warm regions.

The name Tabebuia has a complicated history. In 2007, botanists split the old genus into three groups based on DNA studies, moving most yellow-flowered and many purple-flowered species into a genus called Handroanthus and a few into Roseodendron. Nurseries and gardeners still call nearly all of them tabebuias, so this article includes the most popular trees from all three groups.

These trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are generally hardy only in frost-free areas, roughly USDA zones 9b to 11. The University of Florida has published fact sheets on several of them because they are widely planted in Florida landscapes. The 12 tabebuias below include pink, purple, yellow, white and red-flowered trees, along with where each one comes from or is grown today.

1. Pink Trumpet Tree

The pink trumpet tree is a medium-sized Caribbean tabebuia. Its flowers are bell-shaped and pink to nearly white. They bloom throughout spring and summer. Its leaves are divided into several leaflets. It grows 20 to 30 feet tall. Long, slender seed pods follow the flowers.

The University of Florida notes that established trees are highly drought-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant. It is well suited to street plantings, parking lot islands and other hot spaces with limited soil. It is reported to tolerate urban conditions better than yellow trumpet trees. It is also called white cedar in the Caribbean. Its wood is used for furniture and boats. It is native to the Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and is grown in Florida and other warm regions.

2. Rosy Trumpet Tree

The rosy trumpet tree is one of the most widely planted tabebuias. Its flowers are pink to lavender with a yellow throat. They cover the tree in the dry season, often before new leaves appear. Its leaves have five leaflets. It can grow 50 to 80 feet tall in the wild. It is also called pink poui.

It is the national tree of El Salvador, where it is called maquilishuat. It is planted along streets in cities across India, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Its timber is valued for furniture and building. It grows quickly. It attracts bees and hummingbirds. It is native from southern Mexico through Central America to Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.

3. Silver Trumpet Tree

The silver trumpet tree has silvery leaves and bright yellow flowers. Its leaves are covered in fine, silvery-gray scales. Its flowers are golden yellow and trumpet-shaped. They bloom on bare branches in late winter and spring. Its bark is corky and deeply furrowed. It grows 15 to 25 feet tall.

It is also called the Caribbean trumpet tree or tree of gold. It tolerates drought and poor soil well. Its silvery leaves and twisted trunk make it attractive even out of bloom. It suits small yards and dry gardens. It is popular in South Florida and Hawaii. It is native to the dry savannas of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina.

4. Purple Tabebuia

The purple tabebuia is a pink-to-purple-flowered tree. Its flowers are rose-pink to purple with a yellow throat. They bloom in dense clusters in late winter and early spring. Its leaves are dark green and divided into five leaflets. It is briefly deciduous. It grows 15 to 20 feet tall in gardens.

It is now classified in the genus Handroanthus. It is also called pink ipê and pau d’arco. Its inner bark has long been used in traditional medicine in South America. It tolerates drought and both acidic and alkaline soils. Its timber is extremely hard and used for decking. It is native from Mexico through Central America to Argentina.

5. Golden Trumpet Tree

The golden trumpet tree is a popular yellow-flowered tabebuia. Its flowers are bright golden yellow and trumpet-shaped. They bloom in dense clusters in spring. Its leaves are silvery with fuzzy, tan undersides. It often grows 15 to 25 feet tall but can reach 50 feet. Its fuzzy brown seed pods persist through winter.

The University of Florida describes it as an ideal patio, specimen or lawn tree that is very useful as a median street tree for its vivid flowers and drought tolerance. It drops its leaves briefly in spring, just as it flowers most heavily. It is now classified in the genus Handroanthus. It is one of the hardier tabebuias in Florida. It is planted widely in Florida, California and Hawaii. It is native to southeastern Brazil.

6. Yellow Poui

The yellow poui is a tall yellow-flowered tabebuia. Its flowers are bright yellow and trumpet-shaped. They cover the bare branches for a short period. The flowers drop quickly, carpeting the ground in gold. Its leaves have toothed leaflets. It can grow over 60 feet tall in the wild.

It is now classified in the genus Handroanthus. It is also called yellow trumpet tree and yellow ipê. Its wood is one of the hardest and most durable in the world. It is sold as ipê for decks and boardwalks. It tolerates salt spray, so it suits coastal plantings. It is native to northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago.

7. Araguaney

The araguaney is the national tree of Venezuela. Its flowers are brilliant golden yellow. They bloom in the dry season on bare branches. The flowering lasts only a few days. Its leaves are divided into five leaflets. It grows 20 to 35 feet tall.

It was declared Venezuela’s national tree in 1948. Its blooming marks the end of the dry season in many areas. It is now classified in the genus Handroanthus. Its wood is very hard and durable. It grows in dry forests and savannas. It is native to Venezuela, Colombia and nearby parts of Central America.

8. Lavender Trumpet Tree

The lavender trumpet tree is a large pink-flowered tabebuia. Its flowers are pink to rose-purple and about 2 inches wide. They bloom in large clusters in spring. Its leaves have five to seven leaflets. It can reach 50 feet tall. It is also called pink ipê.

The University of Florida describes it as a wonderful specimen tree that would make a nice street tree where there is plenty of soil space. It grows best in full sun or partial shade on rich, well-drained soil. It is now classified in the genus Handroanthus. It is one of the most cold-tolerant tabebuias. It is widely planted in Brazilian cities. It is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina.

9. White Ipê

The white ipê is a white-flowered tabebuia. Its flowers are white to pale pink with a yellow throat. They bloom on bare branches in late winter. The flowers last only a few days. Its leaves have three leaflets. It grows 20 to 50 feet tall.

It is one of the few tabebuias with white flowers. It tolerates dry, rocky soils. It is planted along streets in southern Brazil. Its timber is used in building. It is popular in parks and gardens. It is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina.

10. Primavera

Primavera is a tall, yellow-flowered tree once classed as a tabebuia. Its flowers are bright golden yellow. They bloom in huge clusters on bare branches in spring. Its leaves have five to seven leaflets. It can grow 75 to 100 feet tall. It is also called gold tree.

It is now classified in the genus Roseodendron. Its pale wood is prized for furniture and is sometimes called white mahogany. It is one of the tallest trees in the group. It is planted in parks and large gardens. It grows quickly. It is native to southern Mexico and Central America.

11. Red Trumpet Tree

The red trumpet tree is a rare red-flowered tabebuia. Its flowers are dark red to crimson. They are narrow, tubular and smaller than those of most tabebuias. They bloom in small clusters. Its leaves are thick and leathery. It grows as a small tree or shrub.

It is one of the few tabebuias with red flowers. Its tubular flowers attract hummingbirds. It grows in forests and on limestone hills. It is rarely seen in gardens outside its native islands. It is of interest to collectors and conservationists. It is native only to Puerto Rico.

12. Guayacán

The guayacán is a yellow-flowered tabebuia of Central America. Its flowers are bright yellow and trumpet-shaped. They bloom on bare branches in the dry season. The flowering is brief but spectacular. Its leaves have large leaflets. It can grow 100 feet tall in the wild.

It is now classified in the genus Handroanthus. Its wood is extremely hard, heavy and rot-resistant. It is used for posts, bridges and flooring. It is a protected species in some countries because of over-harvesting. It is planted in parks and along streets. It is native from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia and Venezuela.