Red (ThursdayTreeLove)

I had another post with the same title a few weeks ago. So yes, you dear readers, are right in wondering if you have reached the wrong page. But no, this is a different Red, just as spectacular.

I am talking about the spring foliage of a native tree called Kusumb or Schleichera oleosa. It belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is a treat to watch. This deciduous tree bursts into new leaf as winter ends and the tree dons a glorious red. It can be easily spotted from a distance.

The blaze of red one sees when travelling in the ghats in Maharashtra at this time of the year is most likely the Kusumb.

Here are some of the tantalising glimpses we got as we were returning home from a Botany field visit. Finally, we just had to stop and enjoy this beautiful foliage.

Capturing images from a moving bus is so difficult! This is just one Red that we whizzed past.
We just had to stop!!
All of us trying to capture the red in our cell phones.

Here is the Kusumb from Pune from our Vetal Tekdi.

My phone camera does not do justice but the red is easily spotted among the bare trees, even from a distance!
A good camera in the hands of a knowledgeable person captures such great images! Photo credit Pallavi Gharpure

The Kusumb also bears flowers at this time but the leaves steal the show! Its fruit is very useful among them is being used to make a special kind of hair oil that encourages hair growth.

Schleichera oleosa finds a mention in Trees of Delhi and Jungle Trees of Central India … which means it grows in those regions as well.

Do try to see these gorgeous leaves..because they will turn green soon.

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

17 Replies to “Red (ThursdayTreeLove)”

  1. What a majestic tree. We have our red Japanese maples where I live in the Northeast but they are small trees and nothing like your tree. I would have stopped, too!

  2. Such a lovely shade of Red. You are right that we don’t do good justice to trees when taken on a phone. Still, that’s a good photo and that brings back a lot of memories.

  3. What a lovely one Archana! The way people are clicking, it clearly shows happiness. 🙂 so glad you shared this! If I get to that side, will keep an eye out.
    See you tomorrow!

  4. Beautiful color!!! No wonder, you people had to stop to click pics of such eye catching tree..

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