Penang in Full Bloom with Tabebuia

Tabebuia in bloom in Penang (6 April 2014)


Once every few years, the trees in Penang put on a profusion of blooms. This usually happens in early spring, between the months of February and April, right after the hot season.

The most spectacular blooms in Penang comes from the Tabebuia rosea, a type of tree that originates in the Americas, from Mexico down to Ecuador. In order for it to bloom, the Tabebuia needs a particularly hot and dry season followed by a suddenly onset of rain.

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Penang Tabebuia trees producing a profusion of flowers (6 April 2014)


The Tabebuia rosea in bloom in Penang (6 April 2014)


There are many parks in Penang where you can enjoy the Tabebuia in full bloom. Among the places include Polo Ground, the roads in Bayan Baru particularly Persiaran Mahsuri, from Pantai Hospital to d'Piazza, Jalan Mahsuri, across from SPICE, and Jalan Mayang Pasir 2. Other places to go include the public park in Sungai Ara and the stretch of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in front of Queensbay Mall, among others.

In addition to the Tabebuia, other trees in bloom during this time include the Cassiaq fistula (English: Indian Laburnum), which produces big yellow flowers, the Delonix regia (English: Flame of the Forest, Malay: Semarak Api). which produces bright red flowers, the Jacaranda filicifolia (Malay: Jambul Merak), with its clumps of lilac flowers, the Lagerstroemia speciosa (English: Rose of India), with its beautiful deep pink to purple flowers, and the Lagerstroemia floribunda (Malay: Bungur), which competes with Tabebuia in its profusion of white and pink flowers.

Fallen Tabebuia blossoms (6 April 2014)


For a week or two, the people of Penang get to enjoy the glorious blossoms. This is when you see photography enthusiasts coming out in full force with their cameras, for the opportunity comes but once every few years. Very soon, the flowers will begin to drop to the ground like wet tissues. Until then, it is truly a marvellous sight!