Giovanna Cirianni My young friend wrote me in early November to ask if I could help you identify the species of a tree is planted in the street where you live, in front from home. Judging from the pictures I sent, referred to an individual of tropical origin and more than considerable height whose leaves appeared profusely decorated with flowers of an intense orange color.
I hastened to undeceive, saying that while I enjoy seeing trees and read about them, find the meaning of scientific names and their general knowledge, my knowledge of the subject does not go beyond this corresponds to an amateur. He confessed, moreover, two shameful gaps: conifers in general and specifically tropical trees. And is that with the exception of some species of northern Spain (which are the fascinating forests of Asturias, who mostly met in a public garden that somehow served as their sample), what I know is limited to Mexico City , and near the colony where I live.
checked my copy of Mexico's tropical trees, of Pennington and Sarukhan (UNAM and FCE, third edition, 2005), which outlines in http://bit.ly/hYRDgi , but I found it, I guess because it is not originating in the country. Then it occurred to me, and I proposed to Giovanna, open the query in Facebook posting the photos just send me and throwing the question into the air. I told him that the best learning that way we would end them. Stung by curiosity, however, and without waiting for your response- it took almost three months, I contacted the botanist Pedro Tenorio, National Herbarium, whom I heard on the network, to ask what is the kind you live with Giovanna.
After telling me that he is working on a tree guide, told me that the species of interest to me was the Spathodea campanulata, in Mexico call "African tulip" or "Galeana" and sent me the tab of the Wikipedia:
Spathodea is monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Bignoniaceae. The only species is Spathodea campanulata, known as the African tulip tree of the fountain, flame-of-forest, Nandi flame or meaito (Puerto Rico) and Santo Domingo mahogany and cock in Venezuela. In French as Tulipier du Gabon (Gabon tulip). In Mexico it is also known as Galeana. Included in the list 100 of the most harmful invasive alien species in the world of the Union for the Conservation of Nature. Grows to 7-25 m in height and is native African intertropical zone. Extensively planted as an ornamental tree in many countries and is prized for its beautiful flowers, reddish orange (rarely yellow), campanulate. The flowering season varies sometimes in the same tree, depending on the sunlight. As a tree equatorial areas where there are two days of sunshine per year overhead (only one in the tropics), part of the flowering season solar rays to the north and south of the tree and flowering will coincide with this feature. Soft wood, used for nesting birds. The flower bud is blistered and contains water. The sap sometimes stains yellow fingers and clothing. The open flowers are cupped and store rainwater and dew, being attractive to many species of birds. The generic name comes from the Greek, σφατηε, referring to the cup like a sword.
Thinking Giovanna allow time to decide how to carry out the consultation, I decided not to immediately send the response of Peter. I found it interesting to wait and see what direction I decided to give the matter the intelligent teenager. My patience paid off one afternoon in late January when I received this meil:
Fernando: I found the tree I told you, the orange flowers. African tulip tree is called. I found it because I was on vacation in Zihuatanejo. In Guerrero saw several roads, so my mom asked the locals and was told that Dutch tulip. Hahahaha. But coming to Mexico, we search Google might be convinced that a type of tulip, but Thai and in some tropical country. In the options by searching for "tulip" and other Dutch left, including the African name that caught our attention. Le Click to view pictures and left the picture of the tree in front of our house. Greetings. Giovanna
Then I told my virtual meeting with Peter and I sent him the information that he had sent me. His diagnosis and Botanical our new friend agreed, so the query was resolved.
But it does not end there . When less than half a year built for the magazine Algarabía a list of ten common species of Mexico City ( http://bit.ly/bSTUI2 ), I said that my main source was the book documentary Trees Mexico City, published by the UAM in 1994. A fortnight ago I received on this page a message that one of its authors, Lorena Martinez, informing me that a new book on the subject, published by the Foundation Xochitla: trees and urban green areas of Mexico City and metropolitan area.
The issue has at least a couple of news about which I knew: first, that the author is but Lorena, and second that the book is illustrated with photographs of ... Pedro Tenorio! Immediately, I invited her to my radio show to interview her on that issue and other publications and activities Xochitla, which aired last Friday. At the end of the program, I asked him to ask Peter a picture of tulip for this article, which he did immediately. Her texts and images of it work fine in ordinary book, that flight bird seems a gem. later dedicate a post to review it with the care it deserves. For now, thanks to the interest of Giovanna, I met a nice tree with a wide range of names: Galeana, as it is known in Mexico, but also cock fountain or tree or call-the-forest or Nandi flame or Santo Domingo mahogany ...
Coda
about to take a trip, first in my car to where I left it parked to go by taxi, took me the trees Guide Grijalbo to quickly see if you included the kind referred this post .
the end, I had time to consult but I forgot to remove the backpack and wine me to where I write and where the tree abounds indeed, perhaps as a species should be declared "invasive" -. Despite the months since the beginning of this story, is splendidly in flower. With calm this subject deserves, I read that in Africa Gabon poplar wood, as shown above (form number 263), which smells strongly of freshly cut garlic used in the manufacture of drums "tam-tam" and black magic practices. He is considered one of the world's most beautiful trees.
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The beautiful picture that opens this post ( http://bit.ly/iik5L6 ) is Nick Warner, Niquinho , Oxford, England. Your profile and the many parts of the world where photos can be taken in http://bit.ly/fcHpJj
Those interested in acquiring African tulip tree seeds, in http://bit.ly/f4WWrS the offer at a reasonable price. I like the argument of the seller, who lives in Colima and calls Galeano "Plant this tree and amuse your little ones with fruit in the form of wooden boat, you'll love-in addition to decorate your garden with beautiful flowers. 25 seeds for only $ 100. Free shipping for Mexpost republic ordinary. "
The photos of the tree, except the first, which is Giovanna, are Pedro Tenorio Lezama and were taken in Guadalajara, his work can be seen in "Plantae mexicanae tenorianae" http : / / bit.ly / gJRWOe
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