INTRODUCTION TO THE GULMOHUR TREE

 

GULMOHUR

Family - Leguminosae

Scientific name - Delonix (or Poinciana) regia

COMMON NAMES -

   1. Often called Flamboyant, Royal Peacock flower, Royal Gold Mohur or Fire tree.

   2. The Hindi name is Gul Mohur.

   3. Mayaram in Tamil.

   4. Shima Sankesula in Telugu.

   5. Gulmohr in Marathi.

GROWING AREAS:

   1. Its home is Madagascar. It came to India from Mauritius many years ago.

   2. It is a very popular roadside tree because of its shape and the beauty of its flowers.

   3. It grows in many tropical conditions and is quite hardy but prefers dry areas near the sea.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION:

   1. It is a medium sized deciduous tree, very fast growing, with a straight slender trunk and smooth ash-grey bark.

   2. It has shallow roots which spread out around the tree and do not allow many other plants to grow nearby.

                                       

   3. The branches are brittle and easily broken. They often get damaged in storms.

LEAVES OF THE GULMOHUR TREE :

                                              

   1. These are shed usually in autumn or winter but sometimes soon after the monsoon.

   2. Then the tree remains bare until May or June.

   3. It has feathery looking leaves like many other ornamental trees belonging to the Pea Family.

FLOWERS OF THE GULMOHUR TREE:

   1. These begin to bloom in the hot season from April onwards.

   2. At first a few open and then they cover the whole tree in orange, bright red, and maroon.

                                 

   3. Four of the petals are orange red, the fifth is larger with several shades of white and yellow and bands of red. 

   4. Christians sometimes call this tree the Pentecost tree or Holy Ghost tree as it flowers at the time of Pentecost, fifty days after Easter.

FRUIT OF THE GULMOHUR TREE:

                                  

   1. The long broad seed-cases which are green in colour at first gradually become hard and black.

   2. They remain on the tree for many months, and look very prominent after the leaves have fallen.

   3. The seeds are often soaked in hot water before planting to help soften the outer case and help them grow more easily.

USES OF THE GULMOHUR TREE:

   1. It is a tree that is largely grown for its beauty.

   2. The wood which is white and soft is used for making ornaments, and can be very highly polished.

   3. The flowers and buds are used (as a herb) for flavouring food.