"your plant is Schizolobium parahybum. Sometimes it is called fern tree, because it bears a superficial resemblance to tree ferns (though they are not related). It is a tropical tree in the legume family, resembling a giant caesalpinia or Pride of Barbados. They branch very little and when they do these grow straight up to 40', in S. Florida and Hawaii"

"Schizolobium
There is no commonly used name for the unusually named schizolobium, (Schizolobium parahybum), although it is known in Brazil as the bacurubu and in Brisbane is widely referred to as a yellow jacaranda. It has green, ferny foliage and in spring a profusion of yellow, pea-shaped flowers in spikes 30cm (12") long. This fast-growing tree originates from Brazil and Mexico and grows to about 40m (130') tall. It looks much like a cross between a yellow flowering jacaranda and a tree fern as it has ferny leaves and an umbrella shape."


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Note added at 2002-08-21 01:29:50 (GMT)
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\"The city lies at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains in a latitude more tropical than Mazatlan. Cutting through the town, the Rio Cuale flows into Banderas Bay. Pink bougainvillea and **yellow jacaranda** accent brightly the deep green palette of nature. If you walk quiet side streets, you will hear the song of caged tropical birds.

Two thirds of the city lies north of the river, including the downtown or zocalo and some prime beaches.

When strolling through town, a focal point for the eye is the Church of Guadalupe, a block off the small main plaza. On the plaza a statue honors town founder Ignacio Vallarta. The Municipal Market, with 165 shops in a building next to the river, is a good place to search for leather bags, colorful shirts and dresses, and silver jewelry. Here the local people also buy their meat, fish, and vegetables.\"