College of Tropical Agriculture Extension PUBLICATIONS and Human Resources University of Hawai‘i at manoa

Expanding Tree Diversity in Hawai‘i’s Landscapes Ipê-roxo, Purple Trumpet tree, Handroanthus impetiginosus

Cultural Requirements This impressive trumpet tree (previously known as and Tolerances a Tabebuia) is seen around • Tolerant of soil types Honolulu in some school yards. • Best in full sun, but tolerates Its native range extends from partial shade Mexico to Argentina in semide- • Heat tolerant ciduous forests to rainforests. • Some protection from strong It can achieve 90 feet in height wind is advised in moist or wet forests, but • Drought tolerant when only about 40 feet in open, established drier environments. Its spread • Medium fertilization and is also about 40 feet with open irrigation branching. • Avoid pollarding and severe Spherical clusters of light to pruning except to shape dark, rose-pink to lavender flowers appear en masse from Flower and Fruit late fall through the winter Characteristics months, with occasional repeat flowering. The wood is very • Trumpet-shaped flowers heavy and used in construction, 2.5 inches long are borne as well as finer woodworking. in large round clusters on leafless branches in winter to Recommended Use early spring. in Landscape • Color ranges from pale pink to magenta and lavender • Accent with a yellow throat. Light • Specimen fragrance. • Residential • Public landscaping, including street tree

Distribution April 2021 • Mexico into Brazil and Argentina Subject Category: Landscape, L-53 • Atlantic rainforest into cerrado areas Richard A. Criley Propagation Techniques Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences • Seed This information has been • Root sucker cuttings reviewed by CTAHR faculty • Air layers • Grafting (to create mixed color trees) • Fruits are elongated pods up to 12 inches long. The seeds are winged, about two inches long, and short- lived.

Leaf Characteristics • Compound leaves with five ovate-to-elliptic leaflets, pubescent on both sides. Leaflets are up to 6.5" long. Advantages of Use in Landscapes • Good shade tree, but deciduous in winter. • Spectacular when in bloom. • Might need early pruning and training to develop and maintain a strong, central leader, especially for street use. • HPWRA=1, low risk for invasiveness.

Disadvantages of Use in Landscapes • Rare limb breakage in strong winds has been observed when in heavy flower. • Root suckers can develop on shallow roots. • Can be messy when flowers and seed pods fall.

Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96822. Copyright 2020, University of Hawaiʻi. For reproduction and use permission, contact the CTAHR Office of Communication Services, [email protected], (808) 956-7036. The university is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawaiʻi without regard to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran. Find CTAHR publications at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/freepubs.