Handroanthus heptaphyllus

Handroanthus heptaphyllus, commonly referred to as the pink trumpet tree or pink tab, is a Bignoniaceae tree native to tropical and sup-tropical regions of South America. It grows in the high forest watershed of the Paraná River, Paraguay River and Uruguay River. It has a limited distribution, almost exclusively inhabiting low lands with wet and deep soils, where it forms part of the upper layer of tree cover. It is the national tree of Paraguay, declared as such in the Nº4631 Act of May 10, 2012, as proposed by the School of Chemical Sciences at the National University of Asunción in celebration of the bicentennial of Paraguay's independence. H. heptaphyllus can reach up to 40 m in height. The bark is brown-gray, very rough, with deep cracks in adult specimens. H. heptaphyllus requires specific light and humidity conditions, and is susceptible to frost when young. The tree is considered decorative, and is frequently used in parks, squares and public woodland. Its leaves are palmate compound with opposite orientation. Each compound leaf contains 5-7 elliptical leaflets that are 10-15 cm long and have serrated edges. The tree is semi-deciduous with purple/pink tubular flowers that develop before the leaves. The flowers can vary in color from bright pink to pale pink or even white. The fruit of H. heptaphyllus is shaped like a long pod up to 30–40 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. The pods are brown when ripe and eventually open longitudinally and drop up to 150 winged seeds. It withstands high winds and has a strong and deep root system.