The University of Arizona campus boasts hundreds of trees and unusual plants from all over the world. Current flowering displays include a kaleidoscope of color, with creamy puffballs, flamboyant yellow flowers, fuzzy pink blooms and showy purple cascades. Fragrances float on the breezes and range from scents of soft citrus to grape Kool-Aid.
The campus is open to all visitors, absolutely free. A Saturday visit can delight. Stroll across the grounds in the morning, try a picnic lunch on a shady bench, or a go on a late afternoon walk. Many trees are identified with red signs.


Parking in any UA garage is fee on weekends, unless there is an event. The parking maps are located at http://parking.arizona.edu/visitors/.



The list below will direct you to places where you can see selected plants that are currently in bloom. Color photos and maps are available at http://arboretum.arizona.edu/bloom/spring.html



Spring Blooms:
Aloes - Aloe barbadensis; Aloe castanea; Aloe vera

Features: Spikes of yellow and orange flowers, attractive to hummingbirds

Origin: Native to Africa

Locations: Old Main; Integrated Learning Center; north side of Family and Consumer Sciences


Citrus - various

Features: White fragrant flowers, the signature smell of spring

Origin: Native to the Far East

Location: “Orange Walk” between Gila and Maricopa Halls; Steward Observatory


Sweet acacia - Acacia farnesiana

Features: Sprays of gold pompon flowers, very aromatic.

Origin: Native to Sonoran Desert

Locations: In the Integrated Learning Center courtyard; between Economics and Engineering
buildings



Texas Mountain Laurel - Sophora secundiflora

Features: Drooping clusters of purple blossoms, very fragrant (smells like grape Kool-Aid!)

Origin: Native to Texas and Mexico

Locations: North of Biosciences West; south of Engineering building; west of Science Library


Palo verde - Parkinsonia florida, Parkinsonia microphylla

Features: Arizona state tree, green bark and yellow flowers

Origin: Native to Arizona

Locations: Old Main; east of McKale Center


Bauhinia-leafed Acacia - Acacia crassifolia

Features: White puffballs, very fragrant

Origin: Native to Mexico

Location: North of Cherry Avenue Garage


Orchid tree - Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia variegata 'candida'

Features: Profuse purple or white flowers that resemble orchids

Origin: Native to India, China

Locations: Southwest of Center for English as a Second Language; north of Veterinary Sciences and Microbiology building


Yellow Amapa - Tabebuia chrysotricha

Features: Neon-yellow tropical flowers on bare branches

Origin: Native to the tropics

Locations: South of Engineering building; east of Main Library


Texas olive - Cordia boissieri

Features: White tissue-paper flowers on dark green foliage

Origin: Native to Texas and Mexico

Locations: Corner of Speedway and Cherry; northeast of Nugent building; south of Main Library



Pink bottle tree - Brachychiton x excellens

Features: Pink, 3-inch, velvety flowers

Origin: Native to Australia.

Location: South of Biosciences West


Bottle brush tree - Callistemon citrinus; Callistemon australis; Callistemon viminalis

Features: Red pendulous flowers that resemble bottle brushes

Origin: Native to Australia.

Locations: Education building courtyard; northeast area of Physics and Atmospheric Sciences; south of Manzanita and Mohave residence halls; south of Engineering


To view a full campus map with all trees identified, please visit the Campus Arboretum Web site, and click on "Maps and Walks." You can search for tree species, identify any one tree, find all species from Mexico, learn what plants grow around a favorite building, or just remember what a beautiful campus we have. The site address is http://arboretum.arizona.edu