Butea monosperma: The flame of the Forest

Butea monosperma, a deciduous, medium sized tree, known for its bright orange red colored flowers in bunches, which look like flames

NATURE

6/4/20232 min read

Butea monosperma is a small to medium sized deciduous tree which belongs to family Fabaceae. The tree is otherwise called Dhak, Palash, Flame of the Forest. Tree is woody and grows up to the height of 15 ft. Being a deciduous, it sheds leaves during summer. Trees are commonly found in tropical and sub tropical parts of countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Tailand, Malasia, Etc.

Leaves of the tree are of pinnate arrangement with petiolated three leaf lets of size 10-15 cm. Trees are characterized by production of cluster of bright orange red flowers. Flowers are produced in racemes of 12-15 cm wide. Tree produce fruits in the form of pods.

Butea monosperma tree is known for attractive blooms of bright orange red color, often produced during early summer. Individual flower has five petals with two wings. Tips of the flowers are curved to form a keel, resembling beak of parrot. Hence tree is also known as Parrot Tree.

Butea monosperma, The flame of the forest

Trees are used by mankind in different ways like timber , resin, medicine, dye extraction and others. As the wood of the trees are durable even in water, same is used in construction of well in the form of curbs and rims and water scoops in water mills. Spoons and ladles used to pour ghee in Hindu Rituals and poojas are usually prepared from Butea monosperma trees. Leaves are being large, are used as plates singly or joining together to serve food in rural areas, especially temples. In some part of India, flowers are used for offering to Lord Shiva. There may be the reason for calling the trees as Sacred Tree.

Butea monosperma acts as a main host tree to Lac bug (Lacifer lacca), which is known for Shellac production in India. this Shellac is a natural wax which is extensively used as wood finisher or primer.

An extraction of bark which becomes hard when dried is called as Butea Gum. This gum has pharmaceutical importance. Same is used in leather industries for the presence of Tanin.

Flowers of the tree are used in extraction of dye which can be used in fabric industries, especially silk.

Thus the tree Butea monosperma not only known for its ornamental importance by producing attractive flowers, but also commercially and ritually important.