Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma)

Flame-of-the-forest (Butea monosperma) is a species of Butea which is member of Fabaceae, is native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. Common names include flame-of-the-forest and bastard teak.

It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The wood is soft and durable under water, is used for well-curbs and water scoops. Spoons/Ladles made of this tree are used in various rituals to pour Ghee into the fire. Good charcoal can be obtained from it. The leaves are usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle. The leaves are used to make food plates or patravali.

If one travels in central India in the months of March or April, it is hard to miss the trees even from long distance.

References:

• Butea monosperma (Wikipedia)
• Butea monosperma (FRLHT's ENVIS)

Red Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba)

Red silk-cotton tree (Bombax ceiba or Bombax malabaricum), it is sometimes known as red cotton tree; or ambiguously as silk-cotton or kapok, both of which may also refer to Ceiba pentandra. Other trees of the genus Bombax, is commonly known as cotton tree. This belongs to Malvaceae family.

Deciduous tree from Asian tropics, bears beautiful red flowers in spring before the leaves start reappearing. Dry cores of the flowers are used in Thai cuisine nam ngiao spicy noodle soup as well as kaeng khae curry. Used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Folk medicine in India.

The tree looks spectacular when it is totally leafless and full of flowers and it attracts a lot of birds and insects for food.














References:

• Bombax ceiba (Wikipedia)
• Bombax ceiba (FRLHT't ENVIS)

Lilac tasselflower (Emilia sonchifolia)

Lilac tasselflower or Cupid's shaving brush (Emilia sonchifolia) is tropical flowring plant of sunflower family. Widespread plant in tropical regions around the world, but believed to be native of Asia (China, India, Southeast Asia) and naturalized elsewhere.

One of the Dashpushpam in Kerala. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine as well as Vietnam.







References:

• Emilia sonchifolia (Wikipedia)
• Dasapushpam
• Emilia sonchifolia (FRLHT's ENVIS)