Unless you’ve been in hibernation sans WiFi, you’ll notice it’s poui season and lovers of the panoply of radiant blooms are capturing and posting every sighting. In an article by the Forestry Department of Jamaica, the poui, known also by its scientific name Tabebuia heterophylla and locally as the Yellow Elder, is described as a flowering plant species that belongs to the Bignoniaceae family.

It’s incredible that in the midst of a drought the extraordinary pops of yellow and pink still abound and can still elicit such joy.

There are no accidents in nature… for how else can one explain such majesty?

Move closer to the tree to appreciate its greyish-brown bark that’s rough to the touch, while its leaves are long and narrow with a glossy green appearance. The tree can grow some 30 metres high.

Consider, too, as mentioned by the forestry department, that there’s a plethora of poui trees of varying hues, including the yellow (Tabebuia pallida), and the white (Tabebuia rosea). Another variety, the blue (Tabebuia caraiba), displays a magnificent hue which is considered a rarity in the natural world. These trees, with their opulent blooms, serve as breathtaking ornamentation for the already stunning tropical landscape.

Apart from its ornamental value though, the poui is also highly valued for its medicinal properties. The bark possesses potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it a popular natural remedy for various ailments such as arthritis and rheumatism. Additionally, the leaves are known to contain compounds that are effective in treating respiratory infections and fevers.

SO Gardening photographer Naphtali Junior captured images of the poui in all its glory at The University of the West Indies, Mona and in the vicinity of Mona Heights.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Allow us to continue sharing the magnificent poui by sending your poui visual narratives.