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Peltophorum dubium

Image of Peltophorum dubium

João de Deus Medeiros, Flickr Contributor

Family

Fabaceae

Botanical Name

Peltophorum dubium

Plant Common Name

Brasiletto, Yellow Copperpod, Yellow Jacaranda

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Frilly, fern-like foliage and bright yellow summertime flowers are ornamental highlights of the yellow copperpod. Also called brasiletto, this semi-evergreen tree is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It develops a picturesque, dome-like canopy. Compared to the Asian-native copperpod (Peltophorum pterocarpum), this species is more cold hardy, sturdier in wind, has more leaflets on each feathery leaf, and overall is less flamboyant of a tree.

Leaves are large and feathery in texture, having a doubly compound structure. The rusty colored leaf stems have side stems that each carry 20 to 30 oval green leaflets. Newly unfurling leaves are fuzzy and pale green-bronze before deepening to medium green. In frosty subtropical winters, the tree will become fully deciduous. Flowering occurs in the heat of summer. Upright spikes with yellow (not rust-colored) flower buds cover the leafy canopy. However, the level of spectacular bloom varies year to year. The nocturnally fragrant flowers are light to lemon yellow and later develop into pinkish-tan seed pods.

Grow yellow copperpod in abundant sunshine in any fertile, well-drained soil. It demonstrates excellent drought tolerance and moderate tolerance to coastal conditions. Use it as a specimen shade/flowering tree in a park or spacious garden. During the years of heavy flower production, yellow copperpod is no less than stunning. It makes a worthwhile avenue tree, but the brittle wood and shallow root system may be problematic.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 13

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    30'-50' / 9.1m - 15.2m

  • Width

    35'-50' / 10.7m - 15.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer

  • Native To

    South America, Brazil

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Lemon Yellow

  • Fruit Color

    Light Pink, Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Platy

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes