Tabebuia aurea ex

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• silver trumpet-tree
• tree-of-gold
• yellow tabebuia
• Yellow Trumpet-tree
• Caribbean trumpet tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tecoma caraiba var. squamellulosa
• Tecoma leucophlaeos
• Couralia caraiba
• Handroanthus leucophloeus
• Handroanthus caraiba
• Bignonia aurea
• Gelseminum caraiba
• Tabebuia argentea
• Tabebuia caraiba
• Tecoma argentea
• Tecoma aurea
• Tecoma caraiba
• Tabebuia suberosa
• Tecoma caraiba var. grandiflora
• Tecoma trichocalycina
• Tecoma squamellulosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Tabebuia, specifically as the species Tabebuia aurea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range that spans from the Caribbean islands to the heart of South America. Within the Caribbean, its presence is noted in Puerto Rico and throughout the Leeward Islands. Moving toward the continent, the species is found in Western South America, specifically inhabiting parts of Peru and Bolivia. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the central regions of Brazil, specifically within the West-Central area. This diverse range highlights the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments across different territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tabebuia aurea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse array of environmental settings, including anthropogenic areas, Carrasco, the Cerrado (latu sensu), Deciduous Seasonal Forests, and Ombrophilous (Pluvial) Forests. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying topographies, occupying an extensive elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaches up to a maximum of 400 m AMSL, with a mean elevational presence recorded at 1145 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1145 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Tabebuia aurea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist and mature over many years within its native tropical and subtropical habitats. As a woody species, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, meaning its perennating buds are elevated well above the ground on permanent woody stems or branches. This structural strategy enables the plant to maintain stability and continue its growth cycles through various seasonal changes, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to produce successive flowering displays throughout its extensive lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tabebuia aurea is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting growth habit. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 16 m to a mean height of approximately 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

16 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tabebuia aurea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among many woody dicotyledonous trees that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. This pathway dictates how the plant manages gas exchange and water use efficiency during its growth cycles. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Tabebuia aurea is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia or other diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and chlorophyll production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tabebuia aurea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Specioside.

Specioside

1. Purinergic signalling

Preparations

Tabebuia aurea has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts.

Extracts

1. Mycoses