The tajibo (say it: taheebo) tree -also known as ipé or lapacho (Handroanthus impetiginosus)- is native tree of the humid and subtropical forests in Latin America distributed throughout Central and South America. The tree grows up to 25 meters high.

It is also used in the herbal medicine of several South and Central American indigenous peoples to treat a number of ailments including infection, fever and stomach complaints. Its wood is also very appreciated, very tough and heavy. It’s rich in tannins and therefore very resistant to weather and sun

Come visit our city soon and enjoy the show for yourself!

Winter is one of the most colorful seasons of the year in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. This beautiful tree decorates the whole city, giving color and joy! Thanks to the naturalist Prof. Noel Kempff who planted Tajibo trees in streets and squares throughtout the city, we can now enjoy tajibos from different colors. Their flowers are delicate.

The first ones to bloom are the pink and purple tajibos in July, followed by the yellow ones in August. And in September, at the end of of the winter, it is the turn of the white tajibos with its delicate flowers.

PLANT A TREE. Do you know the famous quote: Plant a tree, have a child and write a book? These three things will live on long after we have passed. It’s like achieving a kind of immortality.

We have our daughter, we have planted a couple of trees and we are in the process of writing a book….well no, not yet, maybe later, who knows…Does a blog count? Or instagram captions? I guess not….a travel journal perhaps!

We mentioned before that prof. Noel Kempff planted tajibos everywhere in the city of Santa Cruz. Following his example we planted 3 baby tajibo trees 6 years ago. They are doing fine and growing and within a few years these beauties will join the show!

Have you already planted a tree? What kind of tree did you plant?

The legend of the Tajibo tree

The story goes that when God was preparing the world, he met one afternoon with all the trees and asked them to choose the time when each one wanted to flourish and beautify the earth.

In an outburst of joy they all began to shout: “Autumn!, Summer!, Spring!

But God observed that no one chose the winter season.

So He asked them:

– I need at least one tree that would enchant winter, that would be brave and capable of coping with cold, drought and burning; and in that cold to beautify the world…

Everyone was silent.

It was then that a quiet tree shook its leaves from the bottom and said:

– “I’ll do it!

And God with a smile asked:

– What’s your name?

– My name is Tajibo!

The other trees were surprised by the courage of the Tajibo and its madness of wanting to bloom in winter.

Then God replied:

– Because you are willing to meet my request I will make you bloom in the winter not only with one color, but with several, so that also in winter, the world is colorful. You will have different colors and textures, and your lineage will be enormous.