GEORGE TOWN: It is that time of the year again when the Tecoma trees, also known as "Malaysian Sakura trees", are resplendent in their full glory of white, pink and purple, lining the streets in various parts of Penang.
With their flowers dropping frequently to the grounds below and carpeting them, it has created enchanting picturesque scenes that attract shutterbugs and plenty of admirers.
On the island, the Tecoma trees can be spotted along the stretch of road at Seri Tanjung Pinang in Tanjung Tokong, the Sungai Nibong highway, near the Bayan Lepas industrial area as well as Jalan Tun Sardon in Balik Pulau.
Over on the mainland, they can be found in Perda, Juru, Bertam and Valdor when they are in full bloom.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Penang Botanic Gardens research officer D. Thachayni said the Tecoma trees, mainly from the Tabebuia rosea species, are currently in season until April, with the full bloom expected to take place in March.
"We experienced quite a dry season last month and when it rains early this month, it triggers the flowering of the Tecoma trees.
"Nevertheless, the climate change this time around is not as drastic as last year," she said, explaining that 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.
Thachayni said for street planting, as most of the Tecome trees planted were from the same species, the flowers would be white to pink in colour.
"There are also other species in which the flowers are yellow but not widely planted as street trees here. There are indeed a few such trees in the Botanic Gardens.
"We can also expect to see roughly the same bloom as last year, as currently if you realise, the choice of landscape trees has changed to other types of plants," 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.
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 overseas, the wondrous sight of Tecoma blossoms is an annual event here.