In 2026, the flowering cycle of pink ipês showed an unusual variation in the Pantanal, blooming later than usual. Generally, these trees start to flower in June and maintain their vibrant color until early spring.
In the locality of Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul, specifically at Fazenda Caiman, pink ipês were only recorded at the end of September. This alteration in the flowering pattern is directly linked to the influence of the El Niño phenomenon and the changes observed in the area's temperature and precipitation patterns.
Rainfall and temperature alter flowering period
Biologist José Milton Longo, an ipê specialist, attributes the delay in the flowering of pink ipês to the specific rainfall and temperature conditions recorded in the region. He explained that since the trees are regulated by humidity and temperature, they react to these factors, reflecting the changes in rainfall regimes caused by El Niño, even if the cycle seems timeless.
According to the specialist, the increase in rainfall associated with El Niño has the potential to modify the occurrence of extreme weather events and impact the general climate, consequently affecting the reproductive cycles of various ipê species.
Furthermore, the traditional sequence of flowering was also disrupted this year. Normally, purple and pink ipês begin the cycle in June, followed by yellow, and finally white. However, there was a change in this order; the yellow bloomed again after a cold front, while the white ones presented a burst of color early on, expected to close the cycle of colors.
Flowering occurs during the dry season
The flowering process of ipês is part of the natural cycle of the trees and typically happens during the dry period. When rainfall decreases, the trees enter a phase of leaf loss and direct their energy towards producing flowers, which serve to attract pollinators, such as insects and birds.
Each specimen remains in bloom for approximately five to seven days. Since this interval varies according to the species and climatic conditions, the flowering can extend from June to October. During the dry season, it is common to observe ipês with flowers in purple, pink, yellow, and white in both urban areas and along the region's roads, transforming the landscape with each new bloom.
There are about one hundred varieties of ipê, classified as one of the most cultivated ornamental trees in Brazil. These species emerged after the extinction of the dinosaurs, marking the appearance of the first flowering plants. Ipês are large trees, capable of reaching up to thirty meters in height, and in Mato Grosso do Sul, the tree holds the status of a state symbol.
