Jacaranda mimosifolia - Although native to South America, the jacaranda tree is grown throughout the world as an ornamental plant. Mature trees grow to heights of 20 meters. The lavender blue flowers are 5 centimeters in length and clustered in panicles 30 centimeters in diameter. The tree is well known for its spectacular display of blooms and carpet of blue left on the ground when the flowers fall. The hardy blue jacaranda is able to survive freezing temperatures for short periods and if damaged, can easily resprout as a multi-branched shrub.
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Pretoria is one of three cities serving as capitals of South Africa. Each branch of South Africa’s government, administrative, judicial, and legislative, is based in a different city. Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa. The city was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius and was named after Boer leader Andries Pretorius, the father of Marthinus. Pretoria is located along the banks of the Apies River and lies in a fertile valley nestled on the foothills of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Pretoria and Johannesburg, the seat of South Africa’s Constitution Court, are located in Gauteng province and are separated by 55 kilometers.
