By Audrey Dermawan – March 13, 2024
GEORGE TOWN: Penangites have been flocking to various parts of the state since the start of the month to witness a ‘Sakura’ spring.
Streets are lined with flowering trees, their petals painting the scene in shades of pink, purple, and white.
The sight is truly breathtaking, offering a glimpse of Japan’s famous cherry blossoms right here in Penang. Shutterbugs took the opportunity to snap their pictures amongst the Sakura flowers, the common name of which is Tecoma (Tabebuia rosea).
According to Penang Botanic Gardens research officer, D. Thachayni, it is that time of the year again when the Tecoma trees are in full bloom and showing up along our streets, with the flowering season usually stretching from February to April.
She said as Penang had a strong dry period early this year, the subsequent rainfall had triggered the flowering of the Tecoma.
A close-up shot of the Tecoma (Tabebuia rosea).- Pic credit: NSTP/MIKAIL ONG
“The blooming season might last around a month.
“But again, if there is a dry period with no or very little rain, then we can have another blooming season when there is heavy showers.
“If there are multiple rain showers during a strong dry period, it can cause different trees or different parts of the same tree to flower at different times along the dry season. But still, it needs a strong dry period with adequate time,” she told the New Straits Times.
Elaborating, Thachayni said the blooming is much more affected by the prolonged dry season rather than the rainfall frequency.
“The longer the dry season means more time for the Tecome trees to produce flower buds.
“The rainfall is the initiate the blooming of the dormant flower buds,” she added.
Checks by the NST showed the Sakura-like flowers, which perennially captivate the hearts of those into botany and picture hunting, are aplenty in various parts of the state such as Tanjung Tokong, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau on the island, as well as Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and Kepala Batas on the mainland.
Viral stories about the flowers blooming have flooded social media, prompting shutterbugs to go out in search of the most Instagrammable spots for that picture-perfect shot.
