IPÊ: THE NATURAL MAKEUP OF BRAZILIAN FORESTS

The Brazilian tree known as Ipê, renowned for its striking beauty, refers to a group of species from the Tabebuia and Handroanthus genera, both part of the Bignoniaceae family.

It is famous for its vividly colored blossoms and its widespread presence across all of Brazil’s ecosystems, including the three predominant biomes in the state of Mato Grosso: the Pantanal, the Cerrado, and the Amazon Rainforest.

These trees are deciduous — meaning they shed all their leaves before bursting into clusters of vibrant flowers. Ipês are large, sun-loving trees that thrive in warm climates.

A Tree Steeped in History

The word “Ipê” comes from the Indigenous Tupi language and means “hard bark.” It is also known as pau d’arco, a reference to its historic use by Indigenous peoples who crafted bows for hunting and protection from its durable wood.

One particular variety, the Yellow Ipê (Handroanthus albus), was officially declared the “national flower of Brazil” by a presidential decree signed by President Jânio Quadros on June 27, 1961.

The Diversity of Ipês

To better understand the diversity among Ipê species, Pantanal Agency spoke with biologist, professor, and researcher Ana Kelly Koch from the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) in Cuiabá. She highlighted some of the key distinctions between species.

The most common variety in Mato Grosso is the Pink Ipê (Handroanthus impetiginosus), frequently used in urban landscaping. But each species has its unique traits.

“All Ipê species have a physiological feature linked to seasonality. When the plant senses a lack of water—meaning reduced rainfall—it understands that it needs to conserve energy for blooming. The way it retains water is by shedding its leaves. So during the dry season, the trees drop their leaves to store energy for flowering,” explained Koch.

She also pointed out that although scientific literature often outlines typical blooming periods, there is no fixed rule. Blooming depends on each tree’s internal conditions—it may bloom once, multiple times a year, or not at all, depending on various factors.

“If the tree is well-nourished, if it managed to store enough nutrients during the rainy season, and has enough energy to bloom more than once, it will bloom more than once,” she said.

Constant and Changing Traits

The leaf-to-flower transformation during the dry season is a trait consistent across all Ipê species, regardless of biome. However, the duration and intensity of blooming can vary due to several factors, as Ana Kelly explains.

“The White Ipê blooms very quickly—its flowers open one day and wilt the next. The Yellow and Pink Ipês last a bit longer. But the number and lifespan of the flowers are tied to the tree’s reproductive strategies. If the flowering is very intense, the tree may shed some flowers. Flower duration is also linked to pollination—whether the flowers were visited by bees or not,” she said.

Ipê flowers are crucial not only for bees but also for birds, as seen in numerous nature images.

“Ipês provide nectar and pollen for certain bee and bird species. Other birds feed directly on the flowers themselves, not just on nectar or pollen. That’s why we often see parakeets and parrots visiting these trees during blooming season,” Koch concluded.