Jacaranda Plant: Physical Feature, Uses, and Geographical Conditions

Context:

Recently scientists in Mexico have observed that Jacarandas began blooming in early January when they generally awaken in spring.

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Physical Feature: A deciduous tree, Jacaranda mimosifolia comes from the Bignoniaceae family. It’s also known by its synonym Jacaranda acutifolia.
Native Plant: Blue Jacaranda is a native of Brazil and North West Argentina.
Uses: In Brazil, its wood is used to make guitars. Its bark and root have medicinal advantages.
- It is also recommended as an alternative wood carving tree species, especially in Kenya.
Geographical Conditions: These are hardy trees that grow well in tropical climes, well-drained soil and plenty of sun to showcase their lavender touch.
Impact of climate change : Jacarandas attract more hummingbirds and bees than many native trees, so a change in flowering could lead to a decrease in these populations.
Indicator Species: Jacaranda tree has been earmarked by climate experts as one of the natural gauges of climate change. Environmentalists expect that the plants will start shooting and flowering earlier in the year as a result of climate change warming the Earth.

An indicator species is one whose existence signals the presence of a group of other species, but its absence shows the absence of the entire group.
Features: Microbes and plants can both function as indicator species.
- These species often interact with their surroundings, which makes them very sensitive to any changes.
Examples of Indicator Species: Lichens, Spotted owls, Mayflies, and Salmons

Also Read: UN Climate Summit 2023 or COP28

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