TOI: Where you can find the city's rare and common summer blossoms: May 07, 2008 | Trees : News Articles

Mumbai: While the city is reeling under summer’s heat, it is springtime for the flora of Mumbai. >From the ubiquitous gulmohar, which is the summer special, to some of the rarer blossoms, the plants and trees of the city are putting their best blooms forward again this year.

One can spot a barringtonia carpeting the pavements early in the morning, or see a rare Indiculus sport its white flowers. Nagakesars and bakul trees are also wearing new leaves and flowers. Botanists and tree lovers pointed out that many trees blooming in the summer heat are rare species found in select spots across the city.

While summer simmers, the combination of heat and humidity creates an apt climate for trees to bloom. “The moderate heat and humidity works well for most of these trees. Varieties of palms, particularly the fish-tail one, also find the ideal climate to thrive at this time,’’ said Vidyadhar Ogale, retired head of the landscape section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

Botanists pointed out that summer is also a time for many bright flowers, like the hamelia, hibiscus and euphorbia. “These are not trees, but plants that start blooming in the winter and are at their best in the early summer,’’ said K Punetha, former state head, WWF-India. “Most of these trees and plants are capable of thriving even with less water,’’ he added.

“April is the time for new leaves and buds that blossom by the month-end. In May, the flowers can be found in full bloom,’’ said Ashok Kothari, joint secretary of the Friends of Trees. “All these trees lend a cheerful and colourful touch to the otherwise sultry summer,’’ he added.

Incidentally, to create shaded areas for pedestrians and keep greenery alive in the otherwise concrete city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planted rows of indigenous trees along several roads across Mumbai.

Rows of the bahwa tree, a wild variety yielding lemon-yellow flowers, have been planted near Five Gardens and Bhatia Baug in Dadar. The sonmuhar, or Rusty Shield Bearer, has also been planted across the city by the BMC.

SPRAWLING BEAUTY: NAGAKESAR

Described by William Jones—the founder of the Asiatic Society—as the most beautiful tree on the planet, the sprawling nagakesar (or cobra saffron) trees at Rani Baug are presently laden with soft-pink leaves. The nagakesar has significance for Buddhists, who believe the next incarnation of the Buddha will be born under this tree. Besides being rare, the nagakesar is also very striking for its unique flowers, which tree lovers and botanists liken to a fried egg. Its bark is so heavy it sinks in water with ease.

Where to find it: At Rani Baug (or Jijamata Udyan) in Byculla

SWEET SCENTS: BAKUL

While strolling through Flora Fountain or Kala Ghoda, one can’t miss the sweet fragrance of the yellow bakul flowers. Also known as Maha Gandhraj, the flowers are known to be the most fragrant of all flowers in India. “These flowers smell sweet even when dry,’’ said a tree lover. “Probably this is why it is offered a lot to gods and is usually associated with Vishnu and Krishna worship,’’ he added. While the University of Mumbai at Fort sports a thick grove of bakul trees, the Press Club at Mahapalika Marg boasts a 12-year-old tree that is probably one of the oldest in the city. Bakul flowers are associated with Chaitnya Mahaprabhu, who planted this tree in Jagannath, Puri. Hence, it is considered sacred.

Where to find it: Flora Fountain, Kala Ghoda, the University of Mumbai campus at Fort and the Press Club at the Azad Maidan

DESI ORCHID: KACHNAR

Many gardens in the city are lined with kachnar (or bauhinia) trees, whose mildly fragrant purple flowers are regarded as a desi substitute for orchids. The leaves are often likened to a camel’s footprints and are referred to as ‘sona’ due to their light-gold colour.
Where to find it: The NCPA gardens at Nairman Point and the Sagar Upwan in Colaba

SPRING’S HERALD: AMARTAS

Amartas (or Indian laburnum) trees are sporting their long pods and bright yellow blossoms across the city. Tree lovers point out that amartas flowers are the first indicators of spring in Maharashtra and states down south. The first blossoms are usually used for decoration and worship on the occasion of the South Indian new year Vishu. It is also called Golden Shower and its botanical name is Cassia fistula.
Where to find it: Mumbai university’s Fort compound and places in Vikhroli

MAHARASHTRA’S BLOOM: TAMAN

This pink-purple blossom (pictured at right) is Maharashtra’s state flower and it is native to southern Asia. The taman’s botanical name is Lagerstroemia speciosa and it is also known as the Pride of India, Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen’s Crape-myrtle or the banaba plant. It is likened to crape because of the delicate nature of the petals, just like the material. The tree grows to only 20 metres in height and has a smooth, flaky bark. Each flower has six white to purple petals. Where to find it: Opposite K C College at Churchgate, Juhu Gymkhana and along the Western Express Highway

BLUE MAGIC: TREE OF LIFE

A West Indian species, the Tree of Life lines Horniman Circle, with small blue flowers blooming through the summer and spreading their fragrance. The tree grows slowly and is very difficult to nurture, but it has acclimatised well to the city. The bark produces an oily substance that leaves a smooth glaze around it, leading some to consider the tree magical. Where to find it: Horniman Circle and near Flora Fountain

ONE-DAY WONDER: ANDAMAN PADAUK

A huge summer tree, the Andaman padauk sheds all its leaves by the start of April and begins getting new leaves and buds by the second week of the month. The buds keep increasing in size, not blooming until they are all ready to do so together. They break into yellow blossoms on the same day and die within 24 hours. Its botanical name is Ptecarpus indus. Where to find it: Rani Baug (or Jijamata Udyan) in Byculla

RARE TREAT: TREE OF HEAVEN

Among the rarest of summer blooms found in Mumbai, the Tree of Heaven flourishes best in the summer season. Also known as Pride of Burma, the stunning tree is the only member of the Amherstia genus and is called Amherstia nobilis. The crimson flowers hang from long, similarly coloured stalks. The petals are of unequal size. Where to find it: Rani Baug and the Rajabhai Clocktower at the university’s Fort campus

SHORT AND SWEET: KANER

The striking, pink flowers bloom in abundance in the summer and have a mild, sweet fragrance. They grow on evergreen trees that have pointed, long leaves. The kaner tree is relatively short, seldom growing beyond 15 to 20 feet in height. Unlike the Tree of Life, the kaner is very easy to maintain and can also survive without much water.

Where to find it:

Sagar Upwan in Colaba and Rani Baug in Byculla, Priyadarshni Park in Breach Candy and many other areas across the city

SEVEN STAR: SATVIN

An indigenous tree, the satvin is known for yielding a striking cluster of seven leaves, hence the name. Also called Collar’s tree, it is considered sacred. It has been planted by the BMC at several spots across Mumbai. Where to find it: King’s Circle and Rani Baug in Byculla

SACRED BLOSSOM: KSHIRCHAMPA

‘Kshir’ means milk in Sanskrit and ‘champa’ is a variety of flower. The tree got its name because it gives out a milklike substance when a flower is plucked from it.

The delicate white-and-yellow flowers, nestled amid big green leaves, are believed to have medicinal qualities. Some people apply them to snake-bites. The kshirchampa, also called frangipani, is regarded as a highly sacred tree and its blossoms are frequently used for worship in temples or are put on graves in cemeteries. Where to find it: Opposite the Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi and Rani Baug

RAZZLE DAZZLE: AFRICAN TULIP

This is a foreign tree that yields a bunch of dazzling vermillion flowers during the summer.

Where to find it: Near the Bombay High Court at Fort, at the Gateway of India and in the Hindu and Parsi colonies of Dadar

CITY’S CARPET: The fallen yellow flowers of the peltophorum colourfully cover roads in summer

LOCAL BEAUTY: The taman, Maharashtra’s state flower, can be seen in prominent spots across Mumbai