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Tecoma stans
Tree profile

Tecoma stans

Trumpet flower, Ginger thomas, Tecoma, Yellow bells, Yellow bignonia, Yellow cedar, Yellow elder, Yellow trumpet tree

FamilyBignoniaceaePlant formTreeGallery4 photos
Description

Trumpet flower is a fast-growing shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 5 - 8 meters, and with stem diameters of up to 25 cm.
BARK: pale brown to grey and roughens with age.
LEAVES : opposite, stalked, compound leaves are pinnate, bearing 3-7 elliptic to elliptic-ovate leaflets with toothed margins.
FLOWERS: fragrant, bright yellow tubular flowers are borne on a short, upright, terminal inflorescence. Each flower measures about 3 cm long.
FRUITS: elongated and flattened, measuring up to 30 cm long and 2 cm wide. The fruits mature from green to brown and split open to release numerous seeds which are papery and winged. The seeds are flat, and oblong in shape, measuring up to 8 mm long and about 4 mm wide. Together with the wings, they are about 2 cm long and 0.8 mm wide.

Uses

An ornamental tree
Medicine: leaves roots, and flowers. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Tecoma+stans
Agroforestry: can be planted as a live hedge.
The wood is used in cabinet making, turnery, to make tools, and in the construction of buildings.
Trees provide firewood and charcoal.
T. stans provides useful shade, especially in gardens.

Ecology

Trumpet flower is native to tropical America. It prefers dry and disturbed areas such as roadsides but it can also be found in relatively undisturbed forests. In Kampala, this tree species can be found within Makerere II zone C, City Hall gardens, Children's park among other places.

Management

Fast-growing.

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