May Flower in Winter

These trees are called May Flower because they bloom in May. Two years ago we noticed something happening to the trees in Águas da Prata and São João da Boa Vista. They were dropping their blooms before they opened.

They have unique blooms. They are large balls as big as extra large grapefruit. They did not bloom in May this year as they were supposed to.




These photos are of the trees in São João da Boa Vista because they are easier to photograph.




These photos were taken in July, two months after they were supposed to bloom.




These photos show just how many balls there are in these trees.




You have to look twice to be certain they are blossom buds, not fruit.




Since they are late with the balls, maybe they will bloom in September.


If they do bloom they will be very large white blossoms. They are quite beautiful.

It is believed they are late blooming because of the effects of Global Warming. Last year (2006) all the balls fell before they opened, both here in Águas da Prata and these trees shown here in São João da Boa Vista. If they do open this month (September) I will include the blossom photos here too.



Photos by Urso Branco