IT’S this time of the year that we get to see the Tecoma trees or more fondly known as the ‘Malaysian Sakura’ reaching its peak bloom season.
Normally, a Tecoma tree would need a dry season for its flowers to fully bloom into beautiful shades of pink and white.
The flowering trees create a picturesque scene that attracts shutterbugs and plenty of admirers. Moreover, with the flowers dropping frequently to the ground below and carpeting it, the area becomes more enchanting.
On the Penang island, the Tecoma trees can be spotted along the stretch of Sungai Nibong highway, near Bayan Lepas industrial area Jalan Mahsuri in Bayan Baru and in the compound of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
From the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) website, ‘Tabebuia pentaphylla’ is the scientific name given to Tecoma tree which originates from central and south America.
In Malaysia, Tabebuia is also known as the ‘Cherry Blossoms of Penang’, named after the pink colour flowers which resemble Japan’s cherry blossom, which is also known as the Japanese Cherry and Sakura.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Law Suun Ting