GEORGE TOWN: It's that time of the year again when the Tecoma trees are in full bloom, with white, pink and purple flowers lining the streets in various parts of Penang.
The Sakura-like flowers, which perennially captivate the hearts of those into botany and picture hunting, are aplenty in various parts of the state, such as Tanjung Tokong, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau on the island, as well as Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and Kepala Batas on the mainland.
Viral stories about the flowers blooming have flooded social media, prompting shutterbugs to go out in search of the best spots for that picture perfect shot.
While the fairyland atmosphere may seem like one has been transported abroad, the wondrous sight of Tecoma blossoms is actually an annual event here.
Penang Botanic Gardens research officer D. Thachayni said the Tecoma trees are mainly from the Tabebuia rosea species, which has white or purple flowers.
She said they would normally start blooming around February to April with the full bloom around March.
"However, due to the weather, it is blooming earlier than usual this time around.
"Normally, the flowering of the Tecoma trees is triggered by temperature change. It will start to bloom when there is rain after a long dry period.
"Normally, in Penang, we will experience rain until the end of November or early December, followed by a dry period until the end of February.
"But this year, the rainy season started earlier, as early as February. So, the Tecoma trees have also started to flower earlier than usual."
Thachayni said the Tecoma trees were common roadside trees and could be found in many places.
"What captures the eyes is that their flowers are very spectacular and they tend to flower together," she added.
A Tecoma tree usually takes between two and three years to grow until its first bloom. The flowering will last for around one month, but the full bloom will last around one to two weeks.
Thachayni said there were others plants which have a similar type of flowering pattern like the Lagerstroemia speciosa.
"And we do have our native species. At the Penang Botanic Gardens now, we have both the Tabebuia and Lagerstroemia flowering."