Blossom

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 12^th 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.