Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0Pink lapacho (pink trumpet tree)
Handroanthus heptaphyllus · tajy hũ
The national tree: at the end of winter it paints cities, highways and forests pink.
What it is
A native tree with extremely hard wood that can grow taller than 30 m. It drops its leaves in winter and covers itself in pink tubular flowers, from pale shades to purple, before the new foliage appears. Since 2012, Law 4631 has declared all species of lapacho (tajy in Guaraní) the national tree. Six grow in Paraguay, with pink, yellow or white flowers.
Did you know…?
Locals say that once the lapacho blooms “the cold is over,” but in the cities there are pink lapachos brought from Brazil since the 1980s that bloom earlier, in autumn. Each tree holds its flowers for just five to ten days.
Season
Blooms at the end of winter, between July and September depending on the area and the cold. The broad-leaved trees brought from Brazil flower earlier, in autumn.
Where
The streets and squares of Asunción, highways in the countryside and the forests of the Eastern Region. The largest native trees grow in the eastern forests and in reserves such as Mbaracayú.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 5 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.