Why did the trees in Pedregal and other parts of Mexico City bloom before spring? It’s not just jacaranda trees; there are other species that are blooming in winter and other atypical seasons.
The article Plants bloom ahead of time. A phenomenon identified in different species in Mexico, published by Ciencia UNAM, reveals the main causes of the acceleration of this process.
Jacaranda trees, in addition to being beautiful, symbolize the arrival of spring in the city. When their lilac flowers bloomed before March in 2024, it was a topic of conversation on social media, news programs, and among the capital’s residents.
However, they are not the only trees experiencing this phenomenon; so are the Chiranthodendron pentadactylon or Little Hand Tree and the Pittocaulon praecox, a species that abounds in the Pedregal de San Ángel. The latter is also known as Palo loco.
In an interview with UNAM, biologist Ivonne Olalde confirms that climate change, caused by human impact, is one of the main reasons. Flora and fauna adapt to their habitat, so they react to temperature and its variations.
In addition to temperature, there are other factors to consider, such as intense or atypical rainfall, droughts, deforestation, and soil change.
Beyond untimely flowering, there are other consequences that trees experience: they stop producing new seeds, they lose the opportunity to pollinate, and pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees are thrown off their development.
They are also at risk of not maturing, as they invest more energy in forming flowers or fruits.
We are seeing the consequences of climate change and humanity’s effect on nature more and more closely. It is always a good opportunity to rethink our habits and consider responsible actions.