Jacaranda

• Authority

  Maguire, Bassett. 1978. The botany of the Guayana Highland--part X. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 29: 1-288.

• Family

  Bignoniaceae

• Scientific Name

  Jacaranda Juss.

• Discussion

  11. Jacaranda Jussieu, Gen. PI. 138. 1789. Type. J. caerulea (L.) St. Hil. Rafmesquia Raf., Sylva Tell. 79. 1838, non Nutt. Type. R. caerulea (L.) Raf. =J. caerulea (L.) St. Hil. Etorloba Raf., Sylva Tell. 79. 1838, nom alt for Rafmesquia. Pteropodium DC. ex Meissn., Gen. 300; Comm. 209. 1840. Lectotype. P. glabrum DC. =J. glabra (DC.) Bur. & K. Schum. This genus has no close relatives except Digomphia. It is characterized by its bipinnately compound (in Guayana) leaves, purple flowers with an elongate glandular pubescent staminode, short cupular calyx and flattened oblong fruit. It ranges throughout tropical America from southern Mexico and the West Indies to Argentina. Two species occur in the Guayana Highland.