Tree of Gold

Overview

Tabebuia aurea is native to northern Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, then introduced to Leeward Island, and Puerto Rico. This plant has the ability to absorb carbon compounds that are harmful to humans, so it can help clean the air polluted (air purification). It is used as a drink, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as a hedge and is often grown as an ornamental and a street tree.

Vernacular Names

Craibeira (Portuguese).

Agroecology

Tabebuia aurea occurrs at altitudes at sea level up to 1,500 m. It does not tolerate medium to heavy shade. Prefers full sun and moderate water. This species grows well in a wide variety of soils and requires little maintenance.

Morphology

• Root - taproot and fibrous undergroud.
• Stem - woody, medium-sized thorny tree with distinctly orange, silvery corky bark.
• Leaves - smooth, opposite, compound with three broad leaflets, the middle one the largest, green, silver/grey,  leaflets 5-7, oblong, 5-15 cm long. The leaves often drop just before the flowers appear.
• Flowers - bisexual flowers, yellow, 5-7 cm long, calyx tubular, irregularly lobed; corolla funnel-shaped with irregular spreading limb; stamens 4, didynamous.
• Fruit - slender capsules up to 20 cm long.

Cultivation

Propagation is generatively using seeds and vegetatively by stem cuttings and grafting.

Chemical Constituents

Sterols, alkoloids, flavonoids, 3,4́,5-Trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid (veratric acid), Methyl cinnamate, β-Sitosterol, Betulinic acid, 6- O -(p-coumaroyl)-catalpol (specioside).

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• Anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-edematogenic, and antioxidant.
• It is used for treatment of influenza and snake bites.
• The stem bark infusion or syrup is used to treat colds and flu. The decoction of the bark, instead of water, is indicated in the treatment of general inflammations. In Argentina it is indicated as an abortifacient.