In Mexico City, every spring brings a vibrant display of purple as thousands of jacaranda trees bloom. These colorful trees not only captivate the eyes of residents and tourists, but also provide food and shelter for birds, bees, and butterflies.
However, this year, something unusual has occurred. Some jacarandas began blooming in early January, months before their usual spring awakening. This early bloom has raised concerns among residents and scientists in the city, where the trees are a beloved and iconic feature of the streets.
Local scientists have initiated research to determine the extent of this early-bloom phenomenon, with climate change being identified as a likely cause.
“We’ve always seen the jacaranda beginning to bloom towards the end of March, in spring, when we see the flowers change to violet,” explained Constantino Gonzalez, a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change Research at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Gonzalez noted that the flowering in winter is abnormal and may be linked to the rising temperatures that caused an early end to winter in the Mexican capital this year, in mid-January instead of late March.
To establish a correlation between climate change and the early flowering of jacarandas, Gonzalez’s team is gathering data across the city and utilizing satellite imagery to compare blooms year to year.
Inspired by the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., former Mexican President Pascual Ortiz aimed to create a similar landscape in Mexico City. However, Japanese landscape architect Tatsugoro Matsumoto, who settled in Mexico in the late 19th century, recommended jacarandas as a more suitable choice for the city’s climate.
Since then, these trees have become a beloved feature for the nine million inhabitants of Mexico City. In January, alarm spread as social media users shared photos of the early-blooming jacarandas, sparking discussions about the impacts of climate change.
Biologist Cristina Ayala highlighted the importance of the jacarandas in the city, noting their role in attracting hummingbirds and bees. Any changes in their flowering patterns could potentially impact these populations.
Residents like Alex Estrada express their concern over the early blooming of jacarandas in winter, noting that while the trees add beauty to the city, the timing seems unusual. This shift in blooming patterns is prompting greater awareness among urbanites about the realities of climate change.
“Like never before (…) people have started to say ‘this is serious, it’s real’ and it’s no longer just a polar bear floating adrift,” Ayala emphasized, reflecting on the growing understanding of the challenges posed by climate change.
As Mexican scientists continue to investigate the early blooming of jacarandas and its connection to climate change, the iconic trees serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and urban environments.
