The Jacaranda - My "Made-Up" Tree
@DeborahDiane (40846)
Laguna Woods, California
May 18, 2017 6:42pm CST
In the spring, there are stunning jacaranda trees everywhere in Southern California, often lining the streets like the ones in this photo.
When one of our daughters moved from Kentucky to Irvine, CA about six years ago, near where we live, my granddaughter asked the name of the purple trees lining the street near her house.
I told her they were jacaranda trees.
She said, "No, Nana. You just made that up. What are they really called?" 
I had to laugh. She thought the word jacaranda was a silly name and she didn't believe that was the real name of the trees! 
Now she is older, wiser and knows that these trees are called jacarandas. However, whenever I mention the trees now, I joke that I was the one that made up the name jacaranda. She just rolls her eyes. 
It has become a little family joke.
Do you have any funny family memories?
I had to laugh. She thought the word jacaranda was a silly name and she didn't believe that was the real name of the trees!
Now she is older, wiser and knows that these trees are called jacarandas. However, whenever I mention the trees now, I joke that I was the one that made up the name jacaranda. She just rolls her eyes.
It has become a little family joke.
Do you have any funny family memories? 11 people like this
11 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
19 May 17
That is a lovely joke.
Really lovely.
And those trees are so beautiful, I had never seen them til now.
No jokes in my family unfortunately.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 May 17
@TiarasOceanView - I think these trees are lovely, too. As they drop their petals, the streets looks like fields of flowers. They are beautiful.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502484)
• Italy
20 May 17
@DeborahDiane You are right, they looks like purple cloud, it's a beautiful view.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May 17
@LadyDuck - I'm always sad when the blooms disappear in summer, but I look forward to seeing them again each spring.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May 17
@LadyDuck - Switzerland has many other sources of beauty. These trees are like purple clouds over the streets in Southern California.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May 17
@DianneN - If you family is anything like ours, I'm sure you could write a boatload of funny family stories! I love these trees, too. They are one of my favorite aspects of spring in California. They are like purple clouds above our streets.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
25 May 17
@DeborahDiane I think they are fabulous! The color is to die for. lol
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May 17
@just4him - I'm glad you enjoyed the photo of these trees. If you think of a funny memory to share, let us know.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 May 17
@CRK109 - You should see them in real life. They are stunning, especially in the places where they are planted along the streets, like in this photo. They are like a purple cloud.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
21 May 17
@DeborahDiane Do they have a scent at all? They look as if they should!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 May 17
@CRK109 - They look like they should have a strong scent, but I have not noticed one. If they do, it is very subtle and not as strong as jasmine, honeysuckle or the other plants we have here.
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
3 Aug 17
@HazySue - Ha Ha! I love that family joke. I am going to think of it every time I see a helium balloon begin to sag! LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
15 Jul 17
@vandana7 - Thank you! I love the way these trees look.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
19 May 17
This is one of my favorite trees! And it does have an amusing name!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May 17
@divalounger - I am glad that someone else loves this tree, too. They are like purple clouds in the spring!
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
19 May 17
We have that here too and it's called ejar.
Family memories are precious....Some little thing stays with you forever
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 May 17
@responsiveme - Ejar tree. How wonderful! I'll have to tell my granddaughter who thought I made up the name Jacaranda. She will love knowing it has another name. Yes, I agree that family memories are precious.
@DeborahDiane (40846)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May 17
@YrNemo - I am glad you love these purple blossoms.
1 person likes this
