By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 14: The breathtaking sight of what looks like Sakura blossoms may make us feel like we are being transported overseas, but it is actually an annual occurrence in Malaysia.
These trees, which resemble Sakura trees, are Tecoma trees. They bloom for around two weeks during the dry season in Malaysia.
Today, DayakDaily discovered Tecoma trees blooming along the road immediately after the Tun Salahuddin Bridge here.
There are also several Tecoma trees blooming along Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Yakub.
The Tecoma tree, scientifically known as Tabebuia pentaphylla, is thought to have originated from Central and South America, but it is now found in tropical climates all over the world.
Tecoma trees can be found in public parks and fields throughout Kuching and lining the streets as ornamental plants.
The plant is also commonly called the ‘tissue paper tree’ by locals due to its thin flower petals.
To bloom, Tecoma trees require a distinct dry season, which typically occurs between March and April. However, the trees are also known to blossom whenever sunlight is abundant.
Being able to bloom profusely, particularly when the leaves are deciduous, the entire tree would appear violet-pink, and the petals being blown by the wind would create a beautiful scene.
As the flowers fall to the ground, a rich purple-red carpet is created, a scene that would attract the attention of many motorists.
Stroll around your neighbourhood to see if any Tecoma trees bloom, as we did after crossing the Tun Salahuddin Bridge and along Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Yakub. — DayakDaily
