Streets of Kathmandu are now awash with the vibrant violet blooms of Jacaranda, infusing the spring air with a dreamlike charm. From parks and office compounds to roadside lanes, the iconic tree — long loved by Kathmandu residents — is in full bloom.
While the visual appeal of Jacaranda draws admiration, botanists caution that this exotic species may pose ecological risks to local flora and the environment. With climate change accelerating the spread of invasive species globally, concerns are rising about Jacaranda’s unchecked expansion.
Botanist Dr Bharat Babu Shrestha says Jacaranda is a non-native species that should be monitored closely in Nepal. “In places like Australia, Hawaii, Queensland, Kenya, and Tanzania, it has shown signs of becoming invasive. While it hasn’t yet become invasive in Nepal, its foreign origin warrants surveillance,” he told Onlinekhabar.
How did jacaranda arrive in Nepal?
Originally native to South American countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, Jacaranda has spread across Asia, Africa, and Europe. It was reportedly introduced to Nepal during the Rana era.
Historian Saurabh Rana, who has studied the introduction of foreign plants, credits Suresh Shumsher Rana — a member of Prime Minister Bir Shumsher’s family — with bringing Jacaranda to Nepal in the 1920s, possibly from Darjeeling or another hilly region of India. The first sapling was reportedly planted in the area now home to the Yak & Yeti Hotel.
In his book Asahamati, Rana also names King Tribhuvan as the person who planted Jacaranda near the gate of Narayanhiti Palace in front of Jai Nepal Cinema.
According to botanist Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha, Jacaranda has been in Nepal for over 150 years. It first appeared in Rana palace gardens and was later planted around Tundikhel in 1970, eventually spreading throughout the Kathmandu Valley.
Dr Shrestha stresses the importance of not planting non-native species in forests and the need for ongoing ecological monitoring, especially since Jacaranda was introduced without a proper risk assessment.
Despite the concerns, Jacaranda has become an integral part of Kathmandu’s spring beauty. Along the Ekantakuna–Satdobato stretch of the Ring Road and within the city’s inner neighborhoods, its blossoms have transformed the landscape. Iconic locations like Tundikhel, Khula Manch, and Singha Durbar are now bathed in hues of violet — a breathtaking reminder of spring’s fleeting grace.
Here’s some glimpses of jacaranda’s beautiful bloom inside Kathmandu:
