Malaysia's Own 'Sakura' Tree

Imagine a gentle breeze gently tugs at them, causing feather-thin petals falling from the branches of trees above you. This silent shower of pink or white, bell- shaped blooms is like a magical scene from a dream or a fantasy , except it's really happening.

As certain it will fall like snowflakes, laying a romantic fragrant carpet of petals scattered around the floor.

If only for the briefest of time.Spring has sprung, and with that follows a plethora of flowers eager to blossom and keep us in awe and appreciation for the beauty of Mother Nature.

Some of us may have mistaken appearances of cherry-blossom trees and will continually make this mistake...but of course but if you look closer, it's not gonna be the real Sakura since Malaysia climate is not suitable. Instead we have Tabebuia rosea(aka Sakura's twin sister).


In Malaysia, it is  commonly known as "Cherry Blossoms or Sakura" tree and "tissue-paper" tree. Nicknames related to physical characteristics of its thin petals.

Tabebuia has more than 100 species, and in Malaysia, Tabebuia pentaphylla is most common and often planted along  residential streets and in gardens, parks and recreation areas. The most common variety of colours most often seen are from the pink and white varieties.


And if you’re anything like us, you’d be dying to fly off to those areas to personally view nature close-up and view the sakura flowers (cherry blossoms) in Japan. But let's get back to reality since that travel is expensive and money doesn't grow on trees. You would most probably have to  erase these dreams until you save enough money to travel.

You might not see beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom in Japan but you can be compensated by witness the the cherry blossom locally. Both flowers look equally beautiful to me, just my opinion.

The Tabebuia is native to Central and South America and the local people there called it ipê rosa, apamate, matilisguate and maquilishuat. It is the national tree of El Salvador. This elegant tree is commonly known in English as Pink tabebuia, Pink tecoma, Pink poui, Pink trumpet and Rosy trumpet.

Usually I will  zoomed past this road at Beranang but when it comes to "Malaysian Sakura"season, I will  slow down and admire the beauty of these beautiful blossomed trees. 

It was as if I'd entered another world. Scenery here never fails to take my breath away.

The trees bloom twice a year, usually around March and in June or July and come in hues of white, offwhite, light pink, lilac and pearl. Tabebuia requires a distinct dry season in order to burst into bloom

 Local version have given you some ideas of what it may have been when you
 experience Japanese Hamani (“flower viewing”)

Thin and translucent petals very much like facial tissue-paper

 It takes up to 2 days to dry up. Beauty is only temporary, but your mind lasts you a lifetime.

Beautiful Yellow Flower, Tabebuia chrysantha

There is also this  type of thin flower, like paper commonly found here. Bougainvillea, it locally called "Bunga Kertas" or Paper Flower in Malaysia.  We have all kinds of colourful flowers blooming all year round

 Magnificent blossoms

When blooming like you can see on the picture, you can been mistaken in Japan. It is more or less the same as in Japan  cherry blossoming days come at the same time .

Most  authentic sakura come into bloom once a year in Spring (March-April-May). Many cherry trees have no leaves when they bloom. After all the blossoms have fallen, whole tree is covered with new green leaves.

Nope, it's not snowing. So lovely watching  falling cherry blossoms petals falling from sky and forming nice blanket on the ground

Oh what a lovely view. For those who can afford to go to Japan to see the full bloom of Sakura,  I wonder what your impression was upon seeing this hanami scene.

Hanami at night is called yozakura (夜桜, literally "night sakura"). In many places such as Ueno Park, temporary paper lanterns are hung to have yozakura

Will the views that'll make your jaw drop everytime? You'll likely express admiration that make you say WOW! ...But when you see the same thing in nature, I'm curious to know if you feel bored?

No, I Don’t Think So.

Locals believe that when our ‘Sakura’ flowers start to fall, it marks the end of the dry season. A popular belief by Chinese tells how it rains heavily when the annual Qingming Festival comes around.

Well most of us enjoy the view and appreciate the beauty of Tecoma trees (Tabebuia rosea) but to sweep is a problem as the flower is wet type when drop from the tree. Moreover it is not easy to sweep as the flower is soft and stick to the ground.

For those who  maintain the cleanliness such as our local council,it will be a nightmare and they're glad it's over. As the old saying goes, One Man's Treasure Is Another Man's Trash.

Oh! no! No matter how many times I sweep the floor, 'sakura' falling petal always comes back the next time.