El Salvador’s nat’l flower along Diversion Road impresses public

ILOILO City – Rosy trumpet trees growing on the median strip of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) is attracting public attention.

The flowering trees, also known as tabebuia rosea and the national flower of Central America country El Salvador, is currently in full bloom. Photos of its pink flowers – which somewhat resembles the popular cherry blossoms – are making the rounds on social media.

“We’ve been receiving good feedback about these flowering trees. They have become attractions in our city,” said City Agriculturist Romulo Pangantihon.

Rosy trumpet trees’ flowers are large, in various tones of pink to purple, and appear while the trees have none, or very few, leaves.

“That’s why we are encouraged to adopt this kind of plant para ma-sustain naton ang impression sang tawo. Katahom sang iya presence sa Diversion Road,” said Pangantihon.

Flowering is generally associated with dry periods although it has also been observed during the rainy months.

Pangantihon said the planting of rosy trumpet trees on the median strip was embedded in the development plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 when it expanded the Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue a few years back.

DPWH-6 assistant regional director Al Fruto said rosy trumpet trees were recommended by a private consultancy firm because these could withstand extreme heat when they reach maturity.

“Primero daw na-turn off ako sa tanum nga ina kay ka-erratic sang branching. Wala sya porma, only to find out nga kon mag-bloom gali sya kanami,” said Pangantihon.

Because of the public’s good impression, the city agriculturist is contemplating of introducing the trees to the median strips of other major thoroughfares in the city.

“We can have it planted sa General Luna Street and Ledesma Street,” he said.

Rosy trumpet trees are easy to propagate.

“Gakahulog iya seeds and eventually nagatubo lang sya as seedlings dira sa puno ‘ya,” said Pangantihon./PN