Triplaris surinamensis commonly called Long John or Helicopter Tree originated in South America – Guyana, Brazil, Suriname and is indigenous to the Amazon basin. It is one of the largest and most spectacular members of the Polygonaceae or Buckwheat family.
As the name suggests, the Long John is a tall tree approximately 100 ft in height, very slender and graceful. On my way to work, I caught sight of Long Johns on Homestretch Avenue in full bloom and alongside the Botanical Gardens.
The small white to cream flowers grow in large clusters and then turn orange-ish/brown as they get older. The trunk is straight and slightly cracked. The leaves are approximately 15 inches long and 6 inches wide. It is said that ants often eat the centre of the tree.
The brown seeds have ‘wings’. When the seeds fall off the tree they look like small helicopters whirling to the earth. The wind can carry them away for many, many miles before they hit the ground. So if you are driving along Homestretch Avenue and see this tree in bloom, know that it is Long John. Not many people know the name of this tree.
Until next week, Happy Gardening.
