33
Butea
monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
Synonym : Erythrina monosperma Lam.
Family
: Papilionoideae
Local Names
: Brahmavriksham, Chamatha,
Flame of the forest
Flowering
and fruiting period:
March – April
Distribution: Tropical Asia
Habitat: Dry and moist
deciduous forests, also grown in the
Plains
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic:
No
Uses: Tannin source, Dye
yielding, fire wood, Anti-helminthic. A powerful astringent, it is used in the
treatment of diarrhoea and wounds. Nitrogen fixing, Wind break, culturally
significant, Green manure, Timber Implements. The seeds contain around 18% oil
called 'moodoga oil’, it is an effective treatment for hookworms.
Key
Characters:
Flame of the forest is deciduous trees with bark grey to greyish-brown and
exudation red. Leaves trifoliate, alternate; margin entire. Flowers bisexual,
bright red; petals 5; stamens 9 + 1; stigma small. Fruit a pod, oblong, the
base flat, wing-like; seed obovate, compressed.
