Tabebuia Pentaphylla - Cherry Blossom

It is that time of the year The "Cheng Beng" and Easter period, that very own style of Cherry Blossom shows its true color. This year with CMCO still, everyone getting nostalgic. Articles in newspapers, plenty of individual postings on FB. I don't want to miss that opportunity but join the band wagon. This is my version. Sorry, almost stereo typed. First, these flowering trees is not only as published in the newspapers, seen as in far north Aloe Star but almost everywhere in the peninsula. Here in my own housing area. Many names were used by myself before Such as Rose of India, Lagerstroemia and Tacoma etc. Now in February 2019, FRIM has confirmed with the proper name for this tree is Tabebuia pentaphylla
. This tree originating from South America and by now we have trees giving 2 shades of colors - Pink and white.

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 1

Here trees with the 2 difference shades of flowers, in our urban Uptown area.

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 2

While white is monotonous but the pink flowers are of a pastel shade

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 3

Here is another tree with pink coloured flowers with pictures taken from some distance away

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 4

As compared to spots with multiple trees planted in cluster

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 5

A close up would bring out the colour in a better shades

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 6

Same scene as against a darker background

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 7

A close-up of the flowers

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 8

Closer still

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 9

And then - macro

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 10

Oh! that mess after that couple of days of glory

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 11

Another tree chosen by our authority having the close similarity to this tree, is the Lagerstroemia langkaiensis This is a much smaller tree. Distinguished by the prominent redfish leaves and with seed pods or buds among the inflorescences. Lagerstromia is very common in our parks and roadside trees
Simultaneous blooming is also a common occurrence for this species of tree but the bloom would not be in such a dramatic manner as the Tabebuia

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 12

The trumpet shaped flowers near identical. Shades of pink more firmed and less pastel when compared with those of the Tabebuia's. More towards purplish.

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 13

A picture of the inflorences to show the pods and buds.

"Cherry Blossom" bloom picture # 14

This is the first year I have compiled pictures of "Cherry blossom". It all started in 1996, when I travel that stretch of road along the NKVE just south of Alor Star when I first saw these magnificent bloom. This year news about that bloom continues. But for us in Klang Valley, need not go that far. Dependence of environment and weather, magnificent blooms were also noted in the Klang Valley. I have collected pictures showing outstanding blooms.

Here is one, taken by a drone near the Batu Caves area.