Description

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The Tabebuia roseoalba (White Ipe) is one of the lesser known ornamental tabebuias in the usa. It is a medium-sized tree with a mature height of 30 or more feet. It is an upright tree with a somewhat irregular open crown and rough gray furrowed bark. Leaves are green, compound with 3 leaflets, up to 5 inches long, slightly hairy on both surfaces. Flowers are borne in terminal clusters of white to pale pink blooms, 2-3 inches long, which attracts hummingbirds, bees and insects as pollinators. Flowering occurs when the tree is leafless, creating a strikingly-beautiful sight. In brazil and argentina, white ipe is known as a honey tree.

Furthermore, the fruits are long narrow hard brown pods. The pods are up to 7 inches long, containing numerous winged seeds. Seeds and cuttings serve for propagation. White ipe is a timber tree in its native area, with hard dense wood used in construction. It is a good tree for reforestation being a pioneer species; it is hardy and is easy to grow on any well-drained soil and has no serious pest or disease problems. Tabebuia roseoalba (White Ipe) is an excellent patio plant, street tree, in parking lots islands and generally in gardens and parks.