#Plash,पलाश( Butea monosperma )

Botanical Classification :

Botanical name: Butea monosperma  

Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Genus:  Butea  
Species: B. monosperma
Synonyms: Butea frondosa, Erythrina monosperma, Plaso monosperma

Common name: Flame of the Forest

Name: •Hindi: Palash पलाश, Dhak ढाक, Tesu टेसू 
             • Manipuri: পাঙ গোঙ Pangong

                 • Marathi: पळस Palas 

Part used:Flower, Leaves, Bark, Stem and Gum

Plant:

  
The Flame of the Forest is a medium sized tree, growing from 20 to 4O feet high, and the

trunk is usually crooked and twisted with irregular branches and rough, grey bark. It is seen inall its ugliness in December and January when most of the leaves fall: but from 

January to March it truly becomes a tree of flame, a riot of orange and vermilion flowers

covering the entire crown. These flowers, which are scentless, are massed along the ends of the stalks—dark velvety green like the cup-shaped calices—and the brilliance of the stiff, 

bright flowers is shown off to perfection by this deep, contrasting color. Each flower consists 

of five petals comprising one standard, two smaller wings and a very curved beak-shaped

keel. It is this keel which gives it the name of Parrot Tree. The back-curving petals are 

covered with fine, silky hair, which, seen at certain angles, change the deep orange to a 

silvery salmon-pink. The buds too, have this downy growth and acquire a beautiful mauvish bloom.

Leaves:

The leaves, which appear in April and May, are 10-18" wide and trifoliate. When fresh they are like soft suede ; thick, velvety and a beautiful pale, bronze green. Old leaves are as firm and tough as leather, smooth above and hairy below. This silky down gives them a silvery appearance from a distance.The pods, when young, are pale green, are covered with a dense growth of fine hair and sometimes give the effect of a tree in full leaf. They are pendulous and 3 to 4 inches long. When ripe they become yellow-brown and contain flat, brown seeds.

Flower:

That the flowers contain much nectar is evidenced by the frequent visits of many species of birds; sunbirds, mynahs and babblers are usually to be seen, hurrying from flower to flower, chattering and twittering. With man, also, the tree is very popular, having numerous uses. From an infusion of the flowers a brilliant coloring matter can be obtained, which may be made into water-paint or into a dye. Cotton, prepared with alum, can be dyed a bright yellow or orange.

Fruit:

Seeds:

Gum: tannins, mucilaginous material, pyrocatechin.