It has been found growing from sealevel to 1,200 m (3,937 ft), in temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 30 °C on average, with annual rainfall above 500 mm, and on soils with very variable pH.

Pollination occurs probably by insects, although the flowers are visited by many birds such as tanagers, hummingbirds and orioles.

Preparations of the bark of the tree are consumed to eliminate intestinal parasites, malaria and uterine cancer.

A decoction of the flowers, leaves and roots has been used to reduce fevers and pain, cause sweating, to treat tonsil inflammation and various other disorders.

[3] Among the various active phytochemicals in the tree is lapachol, a natural organic compound isolated from various other Tabebuia species.

[7] Chemically, it is a derivative of naphthoquinone, related to vitamin K. Once studied as a possible treatment for some types of cancer, lapachol's potential is now considered low due to its toxic side effects.