“Springtime” in Kuala Lumpur: The Penang Sakura
Words and pictures by Benjamin Ong
Every once a year (or so) it is “springtime” in Malaysia, when lush seas of green inexplicably transform into cascades of pink and white. In the University of Malaya, that time is now—and probably for a few weeks more.
The Pink Trumpet Tree or Penang Sakura (Tabebuia rosea) is commonly planted all over Kuala Lumpur, and typically blossoms after a spell of dry weather. In UM, that usually happens between the months of July and August. This year, however, the trees bloomed once in March, perhaps due to the unusually hot and hazy weather then.
In spite of its common name, the so-called Penang Sakura (also known by its old name, Tabebuia pentaphylla) bears no relation to the Japanese sakura (a type of cherry tree), but in fact originates from tropical America where it is native from southern Mexico to Venezuela.
Here in UM, it can be easily spotted along Sungai Pantai as the river passes the Department of Geology and the Main Library, all the way to the entrance of—yes, you guessed it—the Ambang Asuhan Jepun. The sentinel-like trees spread their sinewy branches over the river, and during blossom time, the banks are generously coated by the trumpet-shaped pink and white flowers.
The tree is somewhat easy to identify even when it isn’t blooming. Its easily-recognisable leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, each with 3-7 spreading finger-like leaflets which can grow up to 30 cm. The equally striking fruit are bean-like pods over 20 cm long.
Nothing like some freshly fallen pink flowers for that extra touch of zen!
Benjamin Ong is a lay ecologist, educator and now coordinator of UMCares' The RIMBA Project. Passionate about Malaysia's cultural and natural heritage, he is on a mission to photograph UM's grand trees using film, which he believes to be the best medium able to render their majesty. He can be reached at benjamin@dimanajua.com.
