Today is the first day of spring, and right on time, the Tabebuia trees, one of which can be seen in the photograph above, are in full bloom all over Stuart, Florida and environs. These trees were the brainchild of Edwin A Menninger, who came to Stuart in 1923 to start the Stuart News, which, by the way, still exists, although is now owned by USA Today. Menninger felt there should be more flowering trees in the area to welcome in the spring, and contacted people from around the world, asking them to send him seeds from their flowering trees. Which they did. His favorite was the Tabebuia tree, which is native to Mexico and the Caribbean. He distributed the tree's seeds to people all over town, who dutifully planted them, with the result that they are now everywhere, a vibrant symbol of spring coming to Stuart, Florida. Thanks Edwin!
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