Context: Flame of the forest’ now in bloom across Nilgiris.
AboutButea monosperma tree :
The flowers are bright orange with a unique petal shape, hence called 'flame of the forest.'
The trees are distinct as they wear more flowers than leaves.
It is a small-sized dry-season deciduous tree, native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging across Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and western Indonesia.
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.
The gum is known as Bengal Kino and is considered valuable by druggists because of its astringent qualities and by leather workers because of its tannin.