Author: Archana

Once a Physiotherapist now a Wordsmith. Field Botanist. Bonsai. Proud Indian. Fauji Wife. Doting Mother and Mother-in-law. Devoted Grandmother. Reluctant Cook. Happiest on a road less travelled. 60s are the new 40s ;-)
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Bananas (ThursdayTreeLove)

When walking on the road, discarded Banana skins are a big hazard in addition to indisciplined traffic, poor pavements etc. I always keep my eyes on the ground when walking .. besides spotting stuff I am likely to slip on, I am very often rewarded. 
Yes Rewarded!
How?
By sighting some fallen flower or fruit which is the tree calling attention to itself! 


Recently I was happy to see what looks like a discarded Banana skin. 
A closer look revealed it to  be the Muchkunda flower. Of course the pervading fragrance immediately confirmed its identity. 

Banana skin?

It goes by the botanical name of Pterospermum acerifolium and belongs to the Sterculiaceae family (Cocoa family). There is some confusion about exact the specific name so lets just say it belongs to the Pterospermum genus. 


The leaves are large and typically Peltate which means the petiole is not attached to the end of the leaf but nearer the centre. This is clearly seen in the image above. According to this Indian Express article, the tree is also called Dinner Plate Tree as the leaves are threaded together to create a plate!


These are night blooming flowers which are pollinated by bats. 
A handsome native species that demands attention and a sight for sore eyes. 

Notice the fruit which is a woody capsule

Have you seen the Muchkunda? 

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
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Fragrant Stars (ThursdayTreeLove)

These trees growing along the fence of a prominent hotel in Aurangabad were eye catching even from a distance. They had dark green leaves with mysterious shadows broken by the intermittent breeze. 

Fragrant flowers, Bakul, AUrangabad



On walking closer, I was happy to see that these were the Maulsari or Mimusops elengi . It was December and the tree was in bloom and the tiny star shaped flowers with their haunting fragrance made the morning more beautiful. These flowers are prized because they retain their scent even when dry.



Maulsari is called Bakul in Marathi and is found in many parts of India. It is a native tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family. The leaves are glossy green and have a wavy margin. It bears pretty red coloured fruit which is said to be edible (I have not eaten these and I dont recommend readers to do so unless they have confirmed information about it being edible). 


Red fruit, Mimusops, Pune
Bakul fruits – this image from a tree growing elsewhere

Pune homes and streets in Pune have Bakul. Does this tree grow in your city? Have you seen garlands of these fragrant flowers?


I am joning Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
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Tree House (ThursdayTreeLove)

This is one tree that almost everyone would have seen, admired and possibly also know its name.

Thats right this is the Cassia fistula of the Caesalpiniaceae family. It is commonly called Amaltas / Bahava / Golden Shower Tree or Indian Laburnum. 

The trees were in full bloom in Pune in April and its blazing yellow blossoms were actually soothing despite the mercury crossing 40Deg C. I did not complain having to halt at the traffic signal as I could photograph the lovely cascading flowers! 
On one of these trees, I spotted a bird’s nest … It must be such a beautiful sight to sit among these beautiful fragrant flowers and watch people race around on the road below!! 



Can you spot the nest in the centre of the image?

Here is a close up of the flowers but from another tree some years ago..

Glorious is it not?


Bahava is easily among my favourite trees.
Have you seen the Bahava? Have you spotted any nest on it?


I am joining Parul in ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some lovely trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

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