The Jacaranda.

As the Christmas decorations go up in stores everywhere and people start their holiday gift guides, there's one thing I always look forward to during this time of the year - the Jacaranda, in full bloom.

The tree itself is rather unassuming most of the year with small and slender foliage, and the pods or fruit is rather odd looking, a dark brown, flat and wonky disc with seeds tucked away inside and also a favourite play thing for the cockatoos.  But as the weather warms and usually coupled with high humidity and rain, it displays its true colours.

The blue trumpet-like flowers of the Jacaranda.