Cannonball Tree In Bloom

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I believe this is the second (or maybe third) year for this tree to bloom.  Over 25 years old and of significant size. The male and female parts of the flower are on opposing top and bottom of the flower.  When the wind blows, the top descends into the bottom sort of like a clam shell or maybe even the way an old fashioned telegraph contacts came together.

 

No fruit yet but I did notice that the structure that carries the flowers is the same as last years.  I guess perpetual inflorescence may be more accurate.  Last year's  inflorescence grows longer with more branches each year and holds more flowers.  They grew about 3 times last years size.  There are about 4 or 5 inflorescence that I could see, growing from the trunk, not branches or tips.  They need to be on the trunk to eventually support the heavy burden of the cannonballs.

 

This year there is considerable root disturbance around the tree for construction of a pond.  That may have contributed to its better flowering.

[Tracy]

14 hours ago, Jerry@TreeZoo said:

I believe this is the second (or maybe third) year for this tree to bloom.  Over 25 years old and of significant size.

Fascinating tree Jerry!  I had to look it up as I wasn't familiar with it.  While I did learn the botanical name and where it is from ( Couroupita guianensis , Central America and Tropical South America), I am also still curious how far into the temperate zones this can grow?  It appears to be a rather substantial tree that you have and I read they can get very large in habitat.