FLAME OF THE FOREST

The dry brown landscape of Rajasthan is set Afire by these near Leafless Flowering Trees in the month of March.

The Flame of the Forest ( English) , Palash ( Hindi) , Butea monosperma ( Scientific Name) is native to the Indian SubContinent and finds mention in the ancient scriptures of this awesome country.

The Bright Blossoms Resemble a Blazing Fire

The deciduous tree of The Flame of the Forest sheds all its leaves during the winter months but they grow back as the Heat of the Summer months touches them.

The flowers, Leaves and the Gum resin it exudes are extensively used in traditional Indian Medicine, Ayurveda.

A closer look at the Tree also called Bastard Teak

The lovely buds and flowers closely resemble the Indian Coral Tree, posted in an earlier blog titled “JEWEL OF TREES“.

It is said the Attractive Scarlet Blossoms attract mosquitoes but the resins from the tree destroy the larvae before they transform into adults.

The Butea monosperma finds extensive use a a cure for numerous ailments.

It belongs to the family Fabaceae.

Radiant against the Blue Skies

The flowers bloom in clusters and are also used as a source of Herbal Colour used during the festival of Holi, which marks the advent of Summer in Northern India.

The flowers also resemble Flames of Fire and there are Indian folklore which mention how the God of Fire “Agni” was transformed into these blossoms due to a curse.

Gorgeous Orange Blossoms

To date the Flowers are offered to Lord Shiva in Telangana during MahaShivratri, which coincidentally occurs today ( 7th of March 2016) .

It is Enchanting how Nature is linked with Mythology and Ayurveda ( Indian Medicine)  ensuring an ecological balance.