Jacaranda mimosifolia
Blue jacaranda, Blue Jacaranda
(c) Alan demian benadia, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan demian benadia · licence
Family: Bignoniaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue jacaranda) is a non-native California tree in the Bignoniaceae family, recognized by South American genus; urban naturalization in subtropical climates.
Blue jacaranda is a non-native shrub found in southern California coastal regions in urban areas at elevations of 500 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces fragrant purple-blue flowers 3 to 4 centimeters long in terminal panicles. Growing as a deciduous plant up to 15 meters tall with spreading branches, it develops a distinctive broad canopy. Its opposite leaves are large and 2-pinnate, spanning 15 to 30 centimeters with 13 to 31 narrow-elliptic leaflets. The plant produces round, flat fruits 3.2 to 6 centimeters long that contain oblong seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: South American genus; urban naturalization in subtropical climates
Habitat and range
Habitat: Urban areas
Elevation: 500-2800 m
Outside California: Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, South America
Bloom period
Jacaranda mimosifolia blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Catalpa: Catalpa has large simple heart-shaped leaves and white flowers; Jacaranda has fern-like twice-pinnate leaves and blue-purple flowers.; vs Chilopsis: Chilopsis (desert willow) has simple narrow willow-like leaves and pink-lavender flowers; Jacaranda has bipinnate leaves and blue-purple flowers.; vs Campsis: Campsis (trumpet creeper) is a clinging vine with once-pinnate leaves and orange-red flowers; Jacaranda is a large tree with twice-pinnate leaves and blue flowers.; vs Albizia: Albizia (silk tree) also has bipinnate fern-like leaves but bears pink powder-puff flower clusters; Jacaranda bears tubular blue-purple flowers in open panicles.; vs Delonix: Delonix (royal poinciana) has bipinnate leaves too but flaming red-orange flowers; Jacaranda's flowers are blue-purple.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jacaranda mimosifolia native to California?
No. Jacaranda mimosifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Jacaranda mimosifolia bloom?
Jacaranda mimosifolia blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Jacaranda mimosifolia belong to?
Jacaranda mimosifolia is in the Bignoniaceae family, genus Jacaranda.
What habitat does Jacaranda mimosifolia grow in?
Jacaranda mimosifolia grows in Urban areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.