Guarán: more than an adornment

Tecoma stans

By Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans (2021-10-01)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Small and modest, the guarán is a small tree that does not exceed 6 to 7 m in height. It is native to the foothill forest in Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy and the montane forest in the most humid area of Catamarca, in the transition area towards the Chaco park.

Tecoma stans (2021-10-01)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Their presence is more noticeable in the areas closest to the rivers.

Tecoma stans (2021-10-01)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans

Tecoma stans (2021-02-02)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans

It is native to the foothill jungle in Tucumán, Salta, and Jujuy, and the mountain jungle in the most humid area of Catamarca.

Tecoma stans

Small and modest, the guarán is a small tree that does not exceed 6 to 7 m in height. Very prolific in flowers and fruits, it can become invasive in some environments.

Tecoma stans (2021-10-01)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans

Tecoma stans (2021-10-01)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans

The leaves are compound, bright green. The tubular, golden yellow flowers, typical of the bignoniaceae, appear in profuse clusters in mid-spring.

Tecoma stans (2016-10-16)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Its tubular, golden yellow flowers, typical of the bignoniaceae, appear in profuse clusters in early summer.

Its root can replace hops in the manufacture of craft beers.

In indigenous medicine, it is used against diabetes, due to its hypoglycemic properties. The leaves are also chewed to relieve toothache.

Tecoma stans, 2016-10-16, From the collection of: Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans, 2021-02-02, From the collection of: Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

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Flowering extends, in batches, until the end of summer, allowing flowers and fruits to coexist at the same time. The long, capsular fruits contain multiple seeds and split open at maturity. The winged, brown seeds have a very high germination power, which makes the species quite invasive in suitable environments.

Tecoma stans (2021-02-02)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Its fruits are elongated capsules which contain large amounts of brown seeds of high germination power.

Tecoma stansBotanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans (2021-10-01)Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans, From the collection of: Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

Tecoma stans, 2021-02-02, From the collection of: Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

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In indigenous medicine it is used against diabetes, for its hypoglycemic properties. The leaves are also chewed to relieve toothache. And its root can replace hops in the manufacture of craft beers.

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Botanic Garden of the City of Buenos Aires "Carlos Thays"

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