Purple-flowering tree, not jacaranda

15 years ago

Hi. For the past couple weeks here in Dana Point I've been seeing a tree with purple flowers growing on an undeveloped hillside. The slope is so steep that I doubt anyone would have planted it there. It has the look of a native plant. The leaves and flowers are small, it's very bushy, not half as gaudy as a jacaranda.

I think it might be the same species as some shrubs that are now blooming along I-5 near here. Those appear to have been planted there by landscape crews.

Does anyone have any idea what species this is? Sorry I don't have any pictures of it yet.

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Comments (13)

dicot
15 years ago
Any chance it's one of the purple lavateras, like Lavatera assurgentifolia? The flowers aren't that small though.

{{gwi:532527}}

Or a desert willow, Chilopsis linearis?

{{gwi:532529}}
CA Kate z9
15 years ago
It's probably a variety of Ceanothus, of which there are many.... aka CA Wild Lilac.
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bluekitobsessed
15 years ago
In my county the freeway landscape crews plant echium (looks like a yucca but soft, with big purple-blue spikes, needs no summer water, goes to seed easily) near the coast, and "cape plumbago" (check SWB on the two different plumbagoes) (bright green foliage, light blue flowers, needs irrigation) inland.
ltecato
Original Author
15 years ago
Hello again. I finally got a couple of photo of this tree. The blooms don't look purple in these pix, but trust me, they are. I don't know what word would describe this shade, but it has more red or pink than the photos I've seen posted in this thread. Click below to see the photo.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:532525}}
huachuma
15 years ago
Possibly Tamarix?

See link...

Here is a link that might be useful: Tamarix (Salt Cedar)
thewiredmind
15 years ago
Looks just like a Albizia julibrissin, aka "Mimosa", aka "Persian Silk Tree"/

{{gwi:532530}}
bahia
15 years ago
I'd also guess that it is most likely a Tamarix species, as the foliage density and form of the trees are a good match.
ltecato
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, if it's a Tamarix, I'm sure wrong about it being a native. Those apparently are considered noxious invaders. Too bad, it looks nice from a distance.
caavonldy
15 years ago
It sure looks like tamerix. Unfortunately it grows like crazy along the banks of the creek that runs through our land. If you could get a close-up photo of the foliage, I could tell you for sure. Tamerix has fine lacy foliage.
jean001
15 years ago
Yes, tamarix. And it's gone from an ornamental landscape tree to an invasive weed tree.
ltecato
Original Author
15 years ago
I'd like to get a close-up but that would require mountain-climbing gear. The slope is really steep and probably crumbly as well.
youreit
15 years ago
THAT must be what I've seen blooming up here along creeks in the spring! It truly is stunning when in bloom. Too bad it's invasive, though.

Brenda
kateswynn_gmail_com
12 years ago
I have a question about another purple tree that grows profusely here in La Canada Flintridge. It's in flower right now - looks like a laburnum with purple flowers. It's not laburnocytisus or wisteria. Any ideas?