Systematic Classification:
Division : Angiospermae
Class : Monocotyledons
Subclass : Polypetalae
Series : Calyciflora
Order : Fabales
Family : Fabaceae
Genus : Butea
Species : monosperma
Common Name:
Flame of the Forest, Palash and Bastard Teak.
General Information:
It is a species of Butea native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, SriLanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia. It is a small-sized dry-season, deciduous tree, growing to 15 m (49 ft) tall. It is a slow-growing tree: young trees have a growth rate of a few feet per year. The leaves are pinnate, with an 8–16 cm (3.1–6.3 in) petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long. The flowers are 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long, bright orange-red, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long. The fruit is a pod 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) long and 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) broad.
Economic Importance:
- It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The wood is dirty white and soft. Being durable under water, it is used for well-curbs and water scoops. Spoons and ladles made of this tree are used in various Hindu 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 were used by earlier generations of people to serve food where plastic plates would be used today.