Patience

“Patience” presents the Purple Glory Tree

Purple Glory is the tree proposed for the sixteenth station of the park. Its binomial name is Tibouchina granulosa. It belongs to the Melastomataceae family.

Its name in portuguese (Quaresmeira, i.e. “of Lent”) comes from the fact that it blooms from January to April, coinciding with the Christian Lent period. In addition, its flowers are purple, a color associated with the Passion of Christ. Therefore this reference also in its english name.

The Purple Glory Tree is a pioneer species. It occurs mainly in the Atlantic Forest of the brazilian State of Bahia and southeastern Brazil, and also in gallery forests of the cerrado biome.

It is a medium-sized tree and can reach 8 to 12 meters (26 to 40 feet) in height. The diameter of its trunk can measure between 30 and 40 cm (12 to 16 inches). Its lifespan is around 70 years.

Its fruits, hard and dry, are brown and cup shaped. They measure around 1 cm (0.4 inch) in diameter.

The tree leaves are elliptical in shape and have a hairy texture, which means they feel somewhat rough when touched.

Its wood, which is of low quality and quite light, is used to make rafters, posts, crates and toys.

Because it grows quickly, it provides shade for native species to develop and is recommended for the recovery of deforested areas.

Common in urban areas of the southeast of Brazil, the Purple Glory Tree forms a dense canopy, which gives it an unparalleled beauty.

Eleven years has passed since the first text from Natura Futura was published and five years have passed since the Park Project was presented, back in April 2019.

The Project keeps going, with “Patience” being its 16th station. The trees planted in this time frame are being cared for and new plants are planned to be planted in the future.

Natura Futura is alive and well, working on the field. We propose you join this initiative by telling online your experience with trees. Use this space to share your experience with the trees you have planted and your effort to take care of them !