Roble de Sabana
Tabebuia rosea
Native Region
Mexico to Venezuela and Ecuador
Max Height
20-30 meters (65-100 feet)
Family
Bignoniaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1200m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- San José
- Limón
- Heredia
- Cartago
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
Jun-Jul
Roble de Sabana
Roble de Sabana (Tabebuia rosea), also known as Pink Poui or Pink Trumpet Tree, is arguably Costa Rica's most recognizable flowering tree. Each dry season, these trees shed their leaves and burst into spectacular displays of pink blossoms, creating the appearance of "pink clouds" scattered across pastures, roadsides, and urban landscapes throughout the country.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Tabebuia rosea
- Family
- Bignoniaceae (Trumpet Tree)
- Max Height
- 20-30 m (65-100 ft)
- Trunk Diameter
- Up to 1 m
- Conservation
- Least Concern
- Flowering
- January–April
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
12500
Observations
186
Observers
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Taxonomy & Classification
Unlike the yellow-flowering species that were moved to Handroanthus, Tabebuia rosea remains in the genus Tabebuia based on molecular phylogenetic studies. It is the type species for the genus and the most widespread member of this iconic group of flowering trees.
Common Names
| Language | Common Name(s) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Costa Rica) | Roble de Sabana, Roble | Savanna oak |
| Spanish (General) | Apamate, Maculís, Roble Morado | Regional variants |
| English | Pink Poui, Pink Trumpet Tree | Flower color reference |
| El Salvador | Maquilíshuat | National tree (Nahuatl origin) |
| Portuguese | Ipê-rosa | Pink ipê |
Physical Description
Overall Form
The Roble de Sabana is a medium to large deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown. It is particularly noted for its tolerance of a wide range of conditions and its spectacular flowering display.
Distinctive Features
Trunk & Bark
- Bark: Light gray to brownish, fissured in mature trees
- Wood: Moderately hard, light brown
- Form: Usually single-trunked with spreading branches
- Buttresses: Minimal to absent
Leaves
- Type: Palmately compound (5 leaflets)
- Leaflet Shape: Elliptic to obovate
- Size: Leaflets 8-30 cm long
- Texture: Smooth to slightly rough
- Timing: Deciduous before flowering
Flowers
- Color: Pink to lavender-pink (rarely white)
- Shape: Tubular-campanulate (trumpet-shaped)
- Size: 5-10 cm long
- Arrangement: Terminal clusters
- Season: January to April
- Duration: Individual trees bloom 1-2 weeks
Fruits & Seeds
- Type: Long, narrow capsule
- Size: 20-40 cm long
- Color: Dark brown when mature
- Seeds: Winged, wind-dispersed
- Timing: Mature 6-8 weeks after flowering
While most Roble de Sabana trees produce pink flowers, the intensity varies from pale pink to deep magenta. Occasionally, white-flowering individuals occur. This variation, combined with different blooming times, creates a prolonged display across the landscape.
Distribution & Habitat
Native Range
Geographic Distribution
Distribution in Costa Rica
The Roble de Sabana is found throughout Costa Rica from sea level to about 1,200 meters, making it one of the country's most widely distributed native trees. It thrives in both natural and human-modified landscapes.
| Province | Prevalence | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Guanacaste | Very Common | Throughout, defining landscape feature |
| San José | Very Common | Urban parks, roadsides, Central Valley |
| Alajuela | Very Common | Central Valley, northern lowlands |
| Heredia | Common | Urban areas, coffee zone edges |
| Puntarenas | Very Common | Pacific lowlands and coast |
| Cartago | Common | Turrialba Valley, western areas |
| Limón | Less Common | Drier pockets only |
Preferred Habitat
- Elevation: Sea level to 1,200 m
- Climate: Dry to moist tropical zones
- Rainfall: 1,000-3,000 mm with seasonal dry period
- Temperature: 20-32°C
- Soil: Tolerates wide range, prefers well-drained
- Light: Full sun to light shade
Ecological Significance
Pollinator Paradise
During the dry season when flowers are scarce, the abundant blooms of Roble de Sabana provide a critical nectar and pollen source for countless bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. A single flowering tree can support thousands of pollinator visits daily.
Wildlife Interactions
Pollinators
- Bees: Native stingless bees, carpenter bees, honeybees
- Hummingbirds: Multiple species visit flowers
- Butterflies: Sulfurs and swallowtails attracted
- Moths: Nocturnal pollination documented
- Bats: Occasional visitors to flowers
Other Wildlife
- Parakeets: Feed on developing seeds
- Squirrels: Use branches for travel corridors
- Epiphytes: Branches host orchids, bromeliads
- Iguanas: Often seen basking on branches
- Cavity Nesters: Old trees provide nest sites
Ecosystem Services
Cultural & Economic Importance
National Symbol
National Tree of El Salvador
The Roble de Sabana (Tabebuia rosea) is the national tree of El Salvador, where it is known as Maquilíshuat (from Nahuatl). It symbolizes beauty and the renewal that comes with the rainy season. In Costa Rica, while not the national tree, it holds a similar place in the cultural landscape as the most visible herald of the dry season.
Traditional Uses
| Use Category | Application | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | Light construction | Furniture, interior work, boxes |
| Medicine | Bark tea | Traditional fever and digestive remedy |
| Urban | Street trees | Popular for boulevards and parks |
| Agriculture | Living fences | Shade in pastures |
| Apiculture | Honey production | Important dry season nectar source |
| Cultural | Celebrations | Blooming associated with festivals |
The Pink Season
Conservation Status
Current Assessment
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern
- Population Trend
- Stable
- Threats
- Minimal
- Protection
- Widely cultivated
Success Story
The Roble de Sabana represents a rare conservation success story. Unlike many native trees that have declined, this species has likely increased in abundance over the past century due to its popularity as an ornamental and shade tree. It readily regenerates in pastures and tolerates human activity, making it one of the few native trees that actually benefits from landscape modification.
Cultivation & Propagation
Growing Roble de Sabana
Propagation Methods
From Seeds (Primary Method)
- Collect seeds from mature pods (April-June)
- Sow within 2-4 weeks (short viability)
- Light soil coverage
- Keep moist; germination in 10-15 days
- Transplant at 30-50 cm height
- Very high success rate (90%+)
From Cuttings
- Semi-hardwood cuttings possible
- Rooting hormone recommended
- Less common than seed propagation
Growing Conditions
- Sun: Full sun preferred
- Soil: Adaptable, well-drained best
- Water: Drought-tolerant when established
- Spacing: 10-15 m for full development
- First Bloom: 3-5 years from seed
- Maintenance: Very low
Urban Planting Tips
- Avoid planting over sidewalks (petal drop)
- Allow space for spreading crown
- No pruning needed except to shape when young
- Excellent for large parking lots and boulevards
- Combine with Corteza Amarilla for color contrast
Identification Guide
How to Identify Roble de Sabana
Definitive Characteristics:
- Palmately compound leaves with 5 leaflets
- Pink trumpet-shaped flowers in terminal clusters
- Gray, fissured bark on mature trees
- Long, narrow seed pods (20-40 cm)
- Broad, spreading crown shape
- Deciduous habit during dry season
External Resources
Community observations and photos
Taxonomic information and records
Central American forestry research
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Gentry, A.H. (1992). Bignoniaceae: Part II (Tribe Tecomeae). Flora Neotropica Monograph
Holdridge, L.R. & Poveda, L.J. (1975). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. 1
Zamora, N., et al. (2000). Árboles de Costa Rica Vol. II
For the most spectacular displays, visit Costa Rica between mid-February and mid-March. The Central Valley and Guanacaste offer the best viewing, with trees blooming along nearly every road. The combination of pink Roble de Sabana and yellow Corteza Amarilla blooming together is one of the country's most beloved natural spectacles. Don't miss the carpet of pink petals beneath the trees!
