Tipu Tree
Tipuana tipu
NEMBA category
English: Tipu Tree, Rosewood, Pride of Bolivia, Yellow Jacaranda
Afrikaans: Tipu, Rooihout
Historical scientific names: Tipuana speciosa
Tipuana tipu, commonly known as Tipu Tree, is a large, fast-growing, semi-deciduous to deciduous tree that develops a broad, spreading crown. It has attractive pinnately compound leaves (meaning they have many small leaflets arranged along a central stalk), which are bright green. In late spring to early summer, it produces spectacular clusters of bright orange-yellow, pea-like flowers, which create a vibrant display. These flowers are followed by distinctive, winged seed pods that spin like helicopters as they fall.
Although a popular ornamental and shade tree, the Tipu Tree is an alien invasive species in South Africa, particularly in urban areas, disturbed sites, and along watercourses, where its rapid growth and prolific seeding allow it to out-compete indigenous vegetation and form dense stands.
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Origin:
Native to tropical and subtropical South America, primarily Bolivia and parts of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Distinguishing features:
Bright orange-yellow pea-like flowers: Produces showy, abundant clusters of vibrant orange-yellow flowers, resembling those of a pea plant.
Distinctive winged 'helicopter' seeds: The fruit is a small, flattened pod with a prominent, round, papery wing, resembling a miniature helicopter blade, which helps it spin and travel in the wind.
Pinnately compound leaves: Leaves are composed of many small, oval to oblong leaflets (typically 11-29) arranged along a central stalk, with a single leaflet at the tip.
Fissured, grey-brown bark: The bark on older trees is grey-brown and develops a distinct, deep, longitudinal furrowing.
Large, fast-growing shade tree: Grows rapidly into a substantial tree with a wide, spreading canopy, providing dense shade.
Overall appearance:
A large, attractive, upright, and spreading tree with a dense, rounded crown, often with a somewhat flattened top. It is striking when in full bloom with its profusion of orange-yellow flowers.
Height:
Typically grows 15 to 25 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 30 metres in ideal conditions.
Width:
Can spread 10 to 20 metres wide, creating a broad, shady canopy.
Leaves:
Semi-deciduous to deciduous (losing leaves in drier/cooler periods). Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, 15 to 25 centimetres long. Each leaf consists of 11 to 29 (often 15-21) individual leaflets. The leaflets are oblong to elliptical, 2.5 to 5 centimetres long, bright green, smooth, with an entire (smooth) margin, and typically rounded or notched at the tip.
Flowers:
Abundant, showy, bright orange-yellow, pea-like flowers, 1.5 to 2 centimetres long, borne in large, loose clusters (panicles) at the ends of branches. The flowers are hermaphroditic.
Flowering season (South Africa):
Late spring to early summer (typically October to December), but can sometimes flower sporadically at other times.
Fruits:
A distinctive, winged, single-seeded pod (samara), typically 4 to 7 centimetres long. It is flattened and has a prominent, papery, somewhat circular wing surrounding the seed, which helps it spin like a helicopter as it falls. They are light green when young, ripening to light brown.
Seeds:
A single, kidney-shaped seed is enclosed within the hard, woody part of the winged fruit. Seeds are typically 1-1.5 centimetres long. They are primarily dispersed by wind due to their winged structure.
Bark:
On young branches, the bark is smooth and grey-green. On older trunks, it becomes thick, grey-brown, and develops a characteristic deeply furrowed or ridged texture, sometimes with reddish fissures.
Thorns:
This species does not have thorns.
Wood:
The wood is moderately hard, durable, and brownish. It is used for furniture, flooring, and general carpentry in its native range, and sometimes for firewood.
Roots:
Develops a strong, spreading root system that can be quite vigorous and extensive, especially in search of moisture.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, but prefers well-drained conditions. It tolerates moderate drought once established but thrives with regular moisture.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun. It is relatively hardy and tolerant of moderate frost, but thrives best in warm, temperate to subtropical climates.
Edibility:
Not typically consumed.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic.
Uses:
Primarily planted as an ornamental shade tree in gardens, parks, and along streets due to its rapid growth, attractive foliage, and showy flowers. It is also used for timber in its native range.
Ecology:
As an alien invasive plant in South Africa, Tipuana tipu is a significant threat, particularly in urban open spaces, disturbed areas, and along watercourses. Its rapid growth, prolific seed production (winged seeds dispersed by wind), and dense shade allow it to quickly outcompete and displace indigenous pioneer species and understory vegetation. It forms dense stands or monocultures, especially in riparian zones, where it can alter ecosystem processes and reduce biodiversity. Its widespread planting as an amenity tree has contributed significantly to its invasive spread.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely cultivated and extensively naturalised and invasive throughout the warmer, temperate, and subtropical regions of South Africa. It is a major problem in the Eastern Cape (common in urban areas, roadsides, and disturbed sites around Kenton-on-Sea, and spreading into natural areas), KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Western Cape, and parts of Gauteng and Free State. It invades urban open spaces, roadsides, waste areas, old fields, riparian zones, and forest margins.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Tipuana is derived from "Tipu," the common name for the tree in its native Bolivia.
The species epithet tipu is a tautonym, repeating the genus name. "Tipu Tree" refers to its origin. "Rosewood" is a misnomer, as it's not a true rosewood, but likely refers to the reddish hue of its wood.
"Pride of Bolivia" refers to its native country. "Yellow Jacaranda" refers to its showy yellow flowers and similar compound leaves to the Jacaranda.
Historical aspects:
The Tipu Tree was introduced to South Africa as an ornamental and shade tree, likely in the early to mid-20th century, due to its rapid growth, attractive appearance, and suitability for urban planting. Its prolific seed production, coupled with the efficient wind dispersal of its winged seeds, allowed it to escape cultivation and establish naturalised populations. Its widespread planting has made it one of the most common and problematic urban invaders, now spreading into natural ecosystems.
Interesting facts:
This tree is like a living helicopter factory! Its seeds have a cool, round, papery wing that makes them spin like little helicopters as they fall from the tree!
Even though its flowers are bright yellow, many people mistakenly call it a 'yellow Jacaranda' because of its similar showy blooms, but it's not actually related to the Jacaranda tree!
It's a super speedy grower, which is why it was so popular for planting in towns and cities – it provides shade really quickly!
If you see lots of these trees popping up where they weren't planted, it's often a sign that birds or wind have been busy helping them spread far and wide!
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