Fragrance Overload (ThursdayTreeLove)

As the heat increases at this time of the year, our trees and plants burst into new leaves and flowers. This makes every Nature Walk a magical experience for the splendid colours that it dons. Fragrant flowers and the crunch of dry leaves under our feet, add to this multi sensory joyous experience! After the glorious red leaves of Kusumb, the haunting sweet fragrance of Shirish flowers announce the trees’ celebration of a season change. It beckons you to stand below the tree and drown yourself in its sweetness.

In March, on the tekdi, Shirish is among the few trees sprouting green and stands out from a distance
The Flower Up Close.. Pretty and Light and Fragrant!

Shirish goes by the botanical name Albizia lebbeck of the Mimosaceae family. The flowers are curiously shaped and look like a bunch of delicate strands that would wilt if we touch. Greenish white in colour, each ‘flower’ is actually an inflorescence. These turn into broad green fruit that dries to white over the year. At any time, the Shirish always bears these white pods which rattle in the breeze.

Standing under this row of Shirish is a heavenly experince.
Another view of a flower

As luck will have it, I am unable to locate the image of the pods but I will get a new one and upload it here. πŸ™

This species grows to a fairly large size and is common as an avenue tree in Pune. At times, it is confused with the Rain Tree (Samanea saman) also of the same family but the flower colour, pods are some of the distinguishing features.

This is the flower of the Rain Tree

Shirish is among my favourite species and in bloom right now. I am sure many of you would have seen it. Enjoy it’s flowering as the tree celebrates a season change.

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

13 Replies to “Fragrance Overload (ThursdayTreeLove)”

  1. Such a informative post. Good that you clarified about the Rain tree. The first glimpse of Shirish flower looks same like Rain tree flower. I got mixed it with Rain tree flowers as we have Rain tree in our vicinity and it doesn’t have any such fragrance.

    1. Rain Tree is common as an avenue tree and in gardens. I have not seen it in the wild. Shirish is also seen in the city but also seen in the wild. Rain Tree grows to have a very fat trunk with a peculiar furrowed bark and long cylindrical pods. I am happy you found something new in this post! Thanks Ramya! πŸ™‚

  2. That’s a lovely tree, Archana. This is new to me. For a second, I thought it was Moringa, but those don’t have flowers like these. I love the flowers, just look at the lovely shades. I am amazed by these pictures. If there’s one thing I miss from Spring here is the fragrance. That’s what Indian plants are all about! <3

  3. This is so so beautiful and thanks for an informative post, Archana! Loved it! Raintrees are beautiful. Thanks for joining! I hope to see you back tomorrow.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *