I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
~William Wordsworth, "I Wandered Lonely
as a Cloud," 1804
Whenever
I read this poem I am lost in a world filled with enchanting wild flowers and
mystique fragrance. I may not be a very
huge fan of flowers but I truly enjoy the sight of a blossoming tree. Looking all over Mumbai during the summer and
rainy season my heart dances with great joy to see the sight of the amazing spread
of flowers. These days the lush greenery of Mumbai has taken a great hit but
still a dash of golden yellow, brilliant red and flamboyant pink flowers will
always cheer you up, especially when you are standing on a crowded bus stop for
hours waiting for the dear BEST bus to turn up. I would not complain much about
the BEST services as that is not the theme of this blog, moving to much more
pleasant things in Mumbai the wonderfully flourishing blossoms all over. I will
take you through some of the most commonly seen flowering trees spread all over
Mumbai, so that next time you pass by one of these you would cherish them
dearly. The below mentioned content is
taken from various online sites and put together for the readers advantage. Also
I have added some wacky thoughts and experiences with these trees for the
reader’s entertainment purpose only. Wish you a delightful reading.
1.
Yellow Copper Pod or Yellow Poinciana
Peltophorum pterocarpum (Copperpod, Golden
Flamboyant, Yellow Flamboyant, Yellow Flame Tree, Yellow Poinciana, Konda
chinta or Pachha sunkesula (కొండ చింత/పచ్చ సుంకేసుల) in Telugu, Perunkonrai (பெருங்கொன்றை) in Tamil, Radhachura in Bangla) is a
species of Peltophorum, native to tropical south eastern Asia and a popularly
ornamental tree grown around the world especially in India, Nigeria, Pakistan,
and Florida and Hawaii in the United States.
This bright sunshine yellow
flowering tree is at its peak all through the Mumbai summer. This is one of the
most common flourishing trees found in every pocket of Mumbai just like are
dearest crows.
I have noticed crows love sitting on this
tree if you will see below this tree you will find lots of crow shit but on a
much serious note this tree is house to many animals and birds.
2.
Royal Poinciana or Gulmohar
In India it is known as Gulmohar گل مور or گلمور in Hindi and
Urdu. In Persian "gul" means "flower", and "mohr"
means "coin" or "stamp". Also "mor" means
"peacock", which seems to be most close to physical appearance and
beauty of this tree.
It is also known there as Krishnachura or Krusnachuda (Bengali/Oriya:
crown of the Krishna) and Krishnasura (in Assamese and Bengali). In Vietnam, it
is known as Phượng vĩ (means "Phoenix's Tail) (Vietnamese), Malinche, and
Tabachine.
In Guatemala, Antigua Guatemala,
it is known as "Llama del Bosque". In Khmer, the tree and the flower
is known collectively as "Peacock" or ដើម (tree) or ផ្កា (flower) «ក្ងោក»។.
In Tagalog, it is known as
Caballero/Kabalyero. In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as an
ornamental tree and in English it is given the name Royal Poinciana or
Flamboyant.
It is also one of several trees
known as Flame tree as they have deep fire red colour. Its scientific name is Delonix regia. It is at
its flaming best during the month of April, May and June.
I have seen so many squirrels
having a gala time on this tree. So Mumbai if you want to keep the squirrels
hail and hearty plant more of these. Also for all the children whose parents do
not allow long nails or fake nails, you can use the petals as fake long red
nails as a fashion accessory. These things were quite a fad when I was young.
3.
Raatraani or Night-Blooming
Jessamine
Common names include Raatraani (Marathi: रातराणी), night-blooming cestrum,
Hasna Hena, lady of the night, queen of the night, night-blooming Jessamine and
night-blooming jasmine. Scientific name is Cestrum Nocturnum.
It spreads its mystifying fragrance when it starts to
open late in the evening all through the night. The fragrance is heavenly citrus and distinct and can
be felt from many houses away especially in the summers when the days are hot
and the nights cool.
There is much folklore
around this tree some say the snakes are quite attracted towards this tree.
They are at their peak all through summer and rainy seasons.
Many birds like to
hang around this tree because its spectacular scent. This tree bears small
berries after flowering. Many small
birds like to frolic on this tree like maynah, sparrows and the highly
irritating Ca – Coo that screams CO-CoO- COo-Coo all day long (they need to
stop being so desperate yaar).
4. Mussaenda
Mussaenda erythrophylla, commonly known as Ashanti Blood,
Red Flag Bush and Tropical Dogwood, is an evergreen West African shrub. The
bracts of the shrub may have different shades, including red, rose, white, pale
pink or some mixtures.
Mussaenda erythrophylla grows best in warmly temperate or
subtropical areas and is semi deciduous in cooler parts. It is one of the trees
that will have a really very long life. The leaves are mid-green, deeply veined
and pointed, with a soft, velvety feel.
Once established, these shrubs look absolutely
spectacular for many months, usually from about September through until May. So
you will have colour for most of the year, apart for a few months in winter
when they are dormant. I remember making my Barbie skirt with their petals as
they were so velvety and pinky.
5.
Yellow
Bells or Yellow Trumpets or Tabebuia
The Pink or Yellow or White Tabebuia Tree (Tabebuia
avellanedae) that has a trumpet like shape looks stunning when in full bloom.
The tree sheds all its leaves and only flowers appear in thick clusters, mostly
during January and February.
The trees are
small in stature and are often planted as ornamental trees on roadsides,
gardens and building entrances. Also called the Caribbean Trumpet Tree, it
originates from South America.
The tree is crooked and small and is almost leafless when
the blossoms take over. Flowering season: January- February (sometimes even
March).
Just to give are
local readers some international gyaan this Yellow Trumpet is also known as Tecoma
Stans and it is the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands and the
floral emblem of the Bahamas.
6.
Flower
of Ashoka tree or Saraca asoca
Commonly known as ‘Sita Ashok’ that means Sorrowless
tree. In Hindi सीता अशोक ‘Sita Ashok’, ‘Ashok’ अशोक , while in Gujarati it is
‘Ashopalava’ , in Kannada ‘Achenge’, in Malayalam it is ‘Hemapushpam’, in
Marathi it is ‘Jasundi’, in Tamil அசோகம் ‘Asogam’ and in
Telugu it is called ‘Asokamu’ waow so
many different names for this tree. Well its Botanical name: Saraca asoca.
Ashoka is one of
the most legendary and sacred trees of India hence it is referenced in most of
the languages of India. It is one of the most fascinating flowers in the Indian
range of flower essences.
Ashok is a Sanskrit word meaning without grief or that
which gives no grief. Indigenous to India, Burma and Malaya, it is an erect
tree, small and evergreen, with a smooth, grey-brown bark. The crown is compact
and shapely.
Flowers are
usually to be seen throughout the year, but it is in January and February that
the profusion of orange and scarlet clusters turns the tree into an object of
startling beauty.
This tree has strong ties with the Yahkshi Mythology and
Hindu Mythology it is worshipped in the worshipped in Chaitra, the first month of
the Hindu calendar.
Well after all that history lesson I would give some
practical tips to make use of the Ashoka tree leaves. You can use the tree
leaves to make small purses for you Barbie dolls.
Also make whistles with the leaves that are new and tender
by placing them on your lips concealing them and blow air keeping minimum
spacing between the lips and you have a wonderful blowing whistle for those
boys who cannot bajao sitti.
7.
Indian
Laburnum (Cassia Fistula)
The Cassia fistula all so popularly called as the Golden
Shower tree. It is native to the Indian Sub continent and the areas adjacent to
it. The golden shower tree is the state flower of Kerala in India.
The flowers are of
ritual importance in the Vishu festival of the Kerala state of India, and the
tree was depicted on a 20-rupees stamp. Also the golden shower tree is the
national flower of Thailand; its yellow flowers symbolize Thai royalty.
A 2006-2007 flower festival, the Royal Flora
Ratchaphruek, was named after the tree, which is most often called dok khuen or
ratchaphruek in Thailand. C. fistula is also featured on a 2003 joint
Canadian-Thai design for a 48-cent stamp, part of a series featuring national
emblems.
Cassia acutifolia, the pudding-pipe tree, furnishes the
cassia pods of commerce. In Ayurvedic medicine, the golden shower tree is known
as aragvadha, meaning "disease killer".
Various languages Amaltas,
Golden shower tree or Indian Laburnum is known as in Hindi: अमलतास Amaltas, Manipuri: চহুঈ Chahui, Tamil: கொன்றை Konrai, Malayalam: Vishu
konnai, Marathi: बहावा
Bahava, Mizo: Ngaingaw, Bengali: সোনালী Sonali, Bandarlati, Amultas, Urdu: املتاس Amaltas but its Botanical
name is Cassia fistula. Wood of this
tree is of huge commercial value.
8.
Jasmine
For all the Aladdin fans they will surely remember his
girls name Jasmine she was quite a hottie. I am sure they must have named her
after checking out the beautiful characteristics of this enchanting white fragrant
flower. I know many Punjabi very good looking girls named as Jasmine, any way I
always wonder why parents who name their girls after a flower do not name their
sons after fruits like Santra, Mosambi etc.
Well jokes apart this one is famously known as Common
Jasmine, True jasmine, Poet's jasmine, in Hindi: चमेली Chameli, Marathi: Jati-jai, Konkani: Sanjui, Sanskrit: मल्लिका Mallika while its Botanical
name: Jasminum officinale.
They have many different variations if you go on the all
connecting Mumbai national highways you will see the wild variety of this
flowers commonly known as Indian Pavetta, Indian Pellet Shrub, in Hindi:
Kankara, Kathachampa, Manipuri: কুকুৰচূৰা Kukurchura, Marathi: Papat, Tamil: Kattukkaranai,
Karanai, Malayalam: Mallikamutti, Telugu: Papidi, Kannada: Pavati, Bengali:
Jui, Oriya: Paniphingi, Assamese: Sam-suku, Sanskrit: Kakachdi while it’s Botanical
name: Pavetta indica.
Women love putting this flower on their head because of their
sweet and charming scent. Heavily used for its perfume in various cosmetic
products. The Jasmine tea is very famous all over Asia especially in China.
Used also in many foods and oils.
This tree acts as a sparrow magnet. Many sparrows love to
build their nest on this tree. As the
tree is not very tall or huge small birds are largely attracted to it as the
big birdies like the bullying crow avoid it completely. With the decrease in the number of this three
the sparrow population has taken quite a big hit. Please Mumbaikars encourage
your society to plant these trees in your local gardens for the benefit of
small birds like sparrows, robins and mynahs.
It is used in rituals like marriages, religious ceremony,
and festivals. In the Chandan Yatra of lord Jagannath, the deity is bathed with
water flavored in sandalwood paste and jasmine. Garlands are made of Mogra
another form of jasmine and widely used in adoration of various gods.
Several countries and states consider jasmine as a
national symbol. They are the following:
Hawaii: Jasminum
sambac ("pikake") is perhaps the most popular of flowers. It is often
strung in leis and is the subject of many songs.
Indonesia: Jasminum
sambac is the national flower, adopted in 1990. It goes by the name
"melati putih" and is the most important flower in wedding ceremonies
for ethnic Indonesians, especially in the island of Java.
Pakistan: Jasminum
officinale is known as the "chambeli" or "yasmin", it is
the national flower.
Philippines: Jasminum
sambac is the national flower. Adopted in 1935, it is known as
"sampaguita" in the islands. It is usually strung in garlands which
are then used to adorn religious images.
9.
Rain
Tree
Common name is Rain Tree, Coco tamarind, Acacia preta,
French tamarind, Saman, Monkey pod, in Hindi: गुलाबी सिरिस
Gulabi Siris, Vilaiti siris, Bengali: Biliti siris, Tamil: Amaivagai, Thoongumoonji
maram. Its Botanical name: Albizia saman (Jacq.) Merr. Albizia saman.
Large, handsome and spreading, the Rain Tree is easily
recognised by its umbrella like canopy of evergreen, feathery foliage and puffs
of pink flowers. It is frequently planted in groups or as an avenue because of
its ability to keep its symmetrical conformation in spite of prevailing winds.
It is a tree of rapid growth, brought originally from Central America to Sri
Lanka and forwarded from there because it was considered to be a tree of great
value for railway fuel.
From
March to May and again towards the end of the year the green canopy is dotted
all over with pink and white blossoms. During the rest of the year, too, there
are usually quite a few flowers to be seen
This tree grows
very tall and is the best hang out place for the high fliers like the eagles,
cranes and owls because of its towering height. It is umbrella shaped and
provides ample amount of shade for the wondering souls. The branches of this
tree spear out far and wide.
Now for some
national and international gyaan in Malaysia this drooping of the leaves is
considered to portend rain and is the explanation of the name Rain Tree,
Hujan-hujan meaning "rain".
In India it
is believed that the name was given because of a curious habit possessed by the
tree of intermittently spraying the ground beneath with moisture. Later it was
discovered that this was caused by multitudinous minute insects. The fruit is a
fleshy pod, sweet to the taste and much relished by squirrels, horses and rest
of the domestic cattle’s.
Now I actually
figured out why so many Siberian cranes, cows, dogs and buffalos loiter below
this tree outside my colony having a gala time. It is because they are busily
hogging the fruits of this tree that are fallen on the ground.
10.
Bougainvillea
The Common name: Bougainvillea, Lesser Bougainvillea, in
Hindi: Booganbel बूगनबेल,
Manipuri: চেরৈ
Cherei, Bengali: Baganbilas, Marathi: Booganvel बूगनवेल, Konkani: Bouganvila बुगनविला ,
Telugu: Kagithala Puvvu కాగితాల పువ్వు while it’s
Botanical name is Bougainvillea glabra.
Named after Louis de Bougainvillea, a French navigator
who came across it in Brazil during the 18th century, Bougainvillea has gained
popularity all over the world, due to its versatility, richness and suitability
to thrive in degrading environmental conditions.
It is a semi-climber and can be grown as a hedge, a
shrub, a climber over a sunny wall and also in pots. With its sharp thick
thorns it is avoided by cattle, goats, monkeys and even birds. It loves open
sunshine and the colours of some varieties grow brighter and more attractive in
hot dry climate.
A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department
to commemorate this flower. Various species of Bougainvillea are the official
flowers of Guam (where it is known as the Puti Tai Nobiu); Also in various
counties of Taiwan and Malaysia.
One word of caution about this plants though they are
highly decorative in the balconies, open terraces and entrances the sap of the Bougainvillea can cause serious skin rashes
so make sure devilish children do not play around them.
11.
Indian
Tulip Tree
The common name is
Indian tulip tree, Aden apple, Portia tree, in Hindi: Paras pipal पारस पीपल , Malayalam: Puvarasu, Bengali:
Palaspipal, Tamil: பூவரசு Puvarasu while its Botanical name:
Thespesia populnea.
This is a good tree
for small gardens or patios. Its name Thespesia means "divinely
decreed" and was given by Daniel Solander who saw it in Tahiti as a member
of Captain Cook's ship. Indian tulip tree is an evergreen bushy tree.
It grows to
40 ft or more with a spread of 10–20 ft. It has heart-shaped leaves and
cup-shaped yellow flowers that are produced intermittently throughout the year
in warm climates. Each flower has a maroon eye that ages to purple. The flowers
are followed by apple-shaped fruit.
Medicinal uses bark
is used to treat skin diseases (India), dysentery and haemorrhoids (Mauritius).
Leaves are applied to inflamed and swollen joints (South India). When cut, the
young fruit secretes a yellow sticky sap used to treat ringworm and other skin
diseases (South India). Roots are used as a tonic. There is some modern
findings of the plant's effects on high blood pressure also.
Mainly used for its
strong wood for various furniture’s. It is basically originated in India.
Around the Powai lake area in Mumbai I have seen these trees flourish in great
abundance. Also you can see group of monkeys playing and having a fantastic
time hanging up - side down on these tree. You better not sit below this tree
with chip packets as the monkeys will trouble you until you do not hand over
the packets to them. Monkeys have a great expertise to snatch food stuff and
other things just like us humans.
12.
Shoe
flower or Hibiscus
Every PCMB student must have surely dissected this flower
in their 12th standard. Most people who will care to read my blog
will have full knowledge of the internal structure of this flower or may be
just an idea about how it looks.
Common name are China rose, Chinese hibiscus, Hindi:
Gurhal गुढ़ल, Manipuri: জুবা কুসুম Juba kusum athonba,
Kannada: ದಾಸವಾಳ DasavaLa,
Malayalam: Chemparati, Tamil: செம்பருத்தி
cembarutti, Marathi: Jaswand जासवंद,
Konkani: Dosni Phool दोस्णि फुल while its Botanical name is
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
These flowers attract many different coloured
butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It flowers all year long. It comes
in several vibrant colours and looks very pretty in open and closed gardens.
Its generic name is derived from the Greek word ἱβίσκος
(hibískos), which a name was given by the Greek botanist Pedanius Dioscorides
to Althaea officinalis plant.
Some special species known as Kenaf is extensively used
to make paper. Around the world Hibiscus tea is quite famous beverage. The beverage is well known for its
color, tanginess and flavour it can be severed hot or cold. Dried flower powder is used as essence in
various foods.
Hibiscus species represent nations: Hibiscus syriacus is
the national flower of South Korea, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national
flower of Malaysia. The hibiscus is the national flower of the Republic of
Haiti.
The red hibiscus
is the flower of the Hindu goddess Kali, and appears frequently in depictions
of her in the art of Bengal, India, often with the goddess and the flower
merging in form. The hibiscus is used as an offering to goddess Kali and Lord
Ganesha in Hindu worship. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have a number
of medical uses in Chinese herbology.
Best usage of the flower is in the Philippines, the
gumamela (local name for hibiscus) is used by children as part of a
bubble-making pastime. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the sticky
juices come out. Hollow papaya stalks are then dipped into this and used as
straws for blowing bubbles.
For desperate dudes who will land up in Tahiti and do not
know whether you want to flirt with the chick or not this will be quite
helpful. As the hibiscus flower is traditionally worn by Tahitian and Hawaiian
girls. If the flower is worn behind the left ear, the woman is married or in a
relationship. If the flower is worn on the right, she is single or openly
available for a relationship. I hope there is another indication to explain it’s
complicated like it’s done on FB relationship status section.
I hope you got useful information after reading all of this stuff or at least managed to laugh a little. I truly enjoyed writing this blog post as its theme was
based on something that is very close to my heart that is trees. I may not be a very
huge nature lover and sometimes fail to maintain my environment and be careless
enough in my actions towards Mother Nature. To my best abilities I will try to preserve
her and keep her alive in Mumbai and everywhere I go. Everybody who will take their time out to read
this please one humble request Mumbai is changing in to a concrete jungle there
are very few natures pockets please maintain them and allow them to flourish and
prosper. Now a day’s you find so many squirrels, even the cranes who are
visitors from Siberia eating from the Mumbai’s dustbins. It is such pitiful
sites please grow trees and plants and encourage your friends and family’s to
do so. Small birds like the sparrow and robins have completely disappeared from
many parts of Mumbai. If everyone takes small steps to help our environment, we
still have hope of a greener tomorrow so please try and save what is left of Mother
Nature.
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