Bauhinia × blakeana - Hong Kong Orchid Tree

I first encountered this specimen while investigating Oceanview Ave. on a tip from a student about the huge trees. I was in Oceanview park and came out to find this poor little tree with only a few leaves, looking like it might be dead soon. Put in my notes that is was there but didn't think much about it. I went back in late November only to find it in bloom and doing quite well. I doubt it will reach its full potential here, it's reportedly damaged with temperatures of 20F. Trees reportedly semi-deciduous or completely deciduous, 15-20' tall and usually wider that tall, dome shaped. Looks a bit coarse with its long branches going in all directions.

Leaves are semi-deciduous or deciduous, alternate, simple, and more or less round in outline. The tip of the leaf is deeply lobed at least 1/3 of the way to the base. All the veins originate at the base of the leaf and radiate outward. Generally bluish green in color and often folded up like a clam closing or a butterfly.

Fragrant flowers appearing in fall into the winter and blooming until spring. Magenta color, five petals and sepals, 5+ inches wide, asymmetrical, long stamens with curving tip and female part even longer and more curved.

Stems some what zig-zagging at the nodes, smooth and green or brown in the fall, but new strong growth may have copper colored hairs. Vegetative buds look naked but I have not seen references to that.

Misidentification:
I have read references suggesting the leaves can look like Cercis canadensis but deeply lobed at the tip. I think the give away that its not a Cercis is the leaves folded up and deeply lobed. Now the trouble begins, as there are more than on species of Bauhinia, B. variegata has smaller leaves, less shallowly lobed to almost not lobed, smaller flowers, but same color flower or very pale to almost white. The pictures I have seen of B. variegata in full bloom the flowers all look very light colored, almost white.

I am open to being schooled on this plant. Doubt the owner will read this and most don't know what is planted in their yards.

Location:
Santa Cruz
113 Oceanview Ave.

Tabebuia impetiginosa - Pink Trumpet Tree

Pink Trumpet tree, best seen in warmer climates than our grows 20-25' tall with an open upright to lightly spreading habit. There maybe more here but I have only seen one.

This is at the Huntington Gardens.

I ran into this tree looking for the famous Monkey hand tree on Spring St, and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a beautiful Pink Dogwood, so I hung a quick U-turn and wow. I went back almost 8 weeks later and it was still blooming. The owner told me they were once planted all along Pacific Ave.

Found this one on the west side, can't wait to see it in bloom.

Foliage is deciduous, opposite, palmately compound, 3-5 medium green leaflets, elliptical shaped, 4" long, slightly serrated margins.

Little different look, a bit more stiff and weathered, but this was early fall and the other was spring.

Buds are silver, terminal is flat, while the laterals are very small. Stem greenish brown.

Tubular flowers are borne in clusters of 3-5 flowers, pink to purple with a yellow throat.

 Flower display at the Huntington.

Fruit is a long (8") skinny capsule, smooth green, no hairs, usually pretty straight. 

Bark is attractive.

Synonyms: Lots Handroanthus impetiginosus, Tabebuia avellanedae.


Misidentification:
Compared to the yellow trumpet tree when not blooming, look at the foliage, stems and fruit, one is covered with copper hairs, this one is not.

Location
Santa Cruz
112 Quarry Ln
124 Kenneth Dr. Wow, go see that one.
316 Oceanview Ave

Paulownia tomentosa - Princess tree

The Princess tree is a very fast growing large tree with beautiful flowers. Growing  50+ feet, it forms a dense rounded to oval canopy. Pretty spectacular sight in full bloom. Known to be pretty invasive, where one is planted other  show up in neighbors yards.   Would not want to have to clean up the leaves in the fall. My students are always impressed with the specimen on 36th. This one is on Clubhouse Dr.

Leaves are deciduous, opposite, simple, large 6-12" long x 4-8" wide, cordate shaped either entire or with 3-5 lobes. Leaves are densely hairy, almost velvety texture. 

Variously lobed, most of the time 3-5 but this one caught my eye but you can see the leaf behind it with pointed lobes.

Flowers are borne prior to the leaves in large upright 12" panicles. Individual flowers are purple, trumpet-shaped, 2" long and wide with a lower lip from fused petals. The flowers have some yellow in the throat. 

Flower buds are copper colored.

Fruit is an oval-shaped brown capsule with a point on the end.

Stems green, thick, and somewhat hairy.  Bark is mostly gray, with some dark diamond shaped areas.

Misidentification:
Huge leaves, large purple flowers, really fast growth rate.

Location:
Aptos
970 Clubhouse Drive

Santa Cruz
733 36th Ave (Pleasure Point)