Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Today's Flowers - Pink

This unusual tree is blooming in front of a Tucson, AZ nursery on Sabino Canyon Road. From a distance it almost looks like a cherry blossom tree.

But this is late autumn, not springtime.

The bark of the tree is bright green.

Huge blossoms, about the size of your hand, resemble lilies more than cherry blossoms.
And, the trunk has big spikes on it!

The nursery wasn't open so I searched online.

It looks like a Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) also called Kapok in the Baobab family.

A tropical tree native to Brazil and Argentina growing in the Sonoran Desert!

To see more flowers from around the world, visit Today's Flowers hosted by:Luiz Santilli, Denise Gullickson, Laerte Pupo and Valkyrien.

20 comments:

XoXo said...

Wonderful flowers Diane, it looks like they are orchids and yet they aren't.

Ezhilan said...

This tree with bright colored flowers and green bark in the center of cactus plants looks beautiful. I like the shape of the flowers. The trunk with spikes looks strange.

Gaelyn said...

Although exceedingly beautiful, next we'll be calling it invasive.

Lindy said...

What a beautiful, unusual tree to grow in the Sonoran Desert. I hope it doesn't get too tall (like a palm tree). By the looks of those thorns/spikes, it wouldn't be any fun at all to have to shinny up there and trim branches! Looks dangerous enough as it is.

cieldequimper said...

The flowers are gorgeous! It's like a huge rose tree!

Jeannette StG said...

I'm not quite sure, because of the spikes on the bark, but I may have seen this tree -beautiful! I'll have to look again!

Jen said...

I don't think anyone will be climbing that tree to pick the flowers!
Looking forward to seeing that blue sky in 3 weeks! yay!

Julie said...

This tree grows here too! It is lovely!

rainfield61 said...

I have this tree in my neighbourhood, but that has never appeared as gorgeous as yours.

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

How wonderful of the tree to seed so far from its native place! Human work, or natural? Maybe no one knows!!

Peacocks [Mor, मोर] of Morachi Chincholi [मोराची चिंचोली]

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

What a gorgeous flower tree, and beautiful color pink!

Happy Thanksgiving, Diane!

Blessing Reflections said...

Have a great Thanksgiving! With blessing always..

Beautiful flowers and wonderful photos.

eden said...

Great shots. I love the beautiful flowers against the blue sky

SquirrelQueen said...

What a beautiful tree, it does look like a cherry tree until you get closer. The blooms are gorgeous.

I hope you have had a wonderful day and a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Judy

Martha Z said...

It is beautiful but I wouldn't want to climb it. Those thorns look mean.

Victoria Tsavdaridou said...

Great flowers, nice captures. thanks for sharing

yoon see said...

Sorry to be late here Diane and happy weekends to you:)

The pink blooms are so so gorgeous, I love all of them, close up and the whole of it!

The mobile Cafe is so cute:)

Wow! The first photo of my world is great! I love to see the speed moment captured so well here.

Take care and see you again:)

Cheers,
Yoon See

Prospero said...

Hi Diane. I think your tree is a Chorisia speciosa. A real showstopper.

DeniseinVA said...

Your photos are lovely. I saw this type of tree at the Botanical Garden in Washington DC but it wasn't flowering. I remember the spikes on the trunk and am glad you showed the blooms. They are gorgeous. Thanks Diane.

Unknown said...

I'm glad I scrolled down - this tree is amazing. Love the flowers (pink flowers really standout against the blue sky - great photos) and the trunk is fabulous :)