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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Flawed Beauty? (#ThursdayTreeLove)


This is a view I see very often on my walks on the hills (called Tekdi in Marathi). Recently, I found it difficult to decide if the tree looked more beautiful than the orange glow of the rising winter sun! The twisted trunk and branches ending in arrows pointing skywards won!

But first a little about this plant. It is the Gliricidia sepium (locally called Undirmari) of the Fabaceae family. 

It has been extensively planted on our hills some years ago under a plan to rapidly reforest barren slopes. This non-native took easily to the rocky soil and flourished. It blooms in January each year and the leafless tree looks glorious with pink blossoms. Besides the visual element, its leaves provide oxygen and some folks use its branches as fire wood. I am told that its leaves and bark are useful to keep away rats.

Gliricidia drops its leaves every winter and once the flowering period ends, the  bare branches will spring forth with hundreds of new leaves. They swathe the hills in wonderful shades of green during the monsoon – making it seem like a dense forest!

Here are the flowers up close!
Pink white flowers in racemes
So why have I titled the post as Flawed Beauty?
That is because this exotic plant does not support other native fauna – birds do not nest on this tree and no birds/insects/ animals enjoy its nectar. Nothing grows below these trees so native herbs, shrubs, grasses are slowly disappearing. There have been calls to remove these trees and this particular plantation has drawn criticism from environment activists as well.

Here are some more images..



Trees planted in systematic rows on Pune hills




Lenticels on the bark. The branches grow vertically up and easily help identify the tree

A Gliricidia seen against the morning sky


So would you say this beauty is flawed?

I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove32. Do head over to see some amazing trees from around the world. 
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A Tree In A Temple (#ThursdayTreeLove)

The Ram Mandir in Pune’s Tulshibag is a heritage site and it was constructed during the peak of the Peshwa rule. It was completed in 1761. The temple has stood the test of time and despite huge changes in its surroundings. 


Beautiful as the temple is, it was the Muchkunda tree growing in the courtyard that caught my eye.. It has a magnificently gnarled trunk (is that possible) and its roots seemed to have surfaced and uprooted some of the surrounding tiles. I have no idea if the Muchkunda is as old as the temple but it has certainly seen many a monsoons…







Muchkunda or Pterospermum acerifolium belongs to the Sterculiaceae family and is also called Kanak Champa in some parts of India. It can be easily recognised by its typical peltate leaves and flowers that are intensely fragrant and look like a peeled banana!  

Notice the leaf shape and the flowers. This image of a Muchkunda located elsewhere

Restoration works at the site have included creating a base of stones around the tree but I am not sure I really like that grey structure. Here are some more images


The newly restored temple and the Muchkunda Tree

Looking up!

Research has revealed that the Pterospermum acerifolium has some mythological importance as well. You can read about it here and here. 


If you ever get a chance to visit the Tulshibag in Pune, do not forget to admire the magnificent Muchkunda.


I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove31. It is a photo feature posted on the second and fourth Thursday of every month. Head over there to see some amazing trees from around the world!

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Mother Tree (#ThursdayTreeLove)

Temple, Crocodile, Ficus



This tree caught my eye for two reasons, the interesting growth on its branch and a profusion of greenery at the base of its trunk.


As I went closer, it was clear that this was a very old Peepal (see the reddish heart shaped young leaves with typical pointy tips). The tree itself seemed to be a mother for the several species growing on or under or around it providing shade, support and nutrition. It doesn’t seem to discriminate between them. I am quite sure several animals must have made a residence there as well. 


I wonder how old must the Peepal be? 


Kerala, Ficus, Temple


Here is a another view of the branches.. The brown growth is a fern called Drynaria quercifolia or Oak Leaf Fern or Pocket Fern. 

Fern, Pocket fern, Drynaria



This is at the Ananthapura Lake Temple near Kasaragod in Kerala. This temple is known for its resident crocodile in the lake but we did not see it… 


I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove30 . Do head over for some amazing trees from around the world!
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Ghostly (ThursdayTreeLove)

This tree was the first thing that caught my eye when I visited South Carolina. I was intrigued by the filament like structures growing on its branches and general ghostly appearance. The season was spring so I was expecting tender shoots or even flowers but this white ‘mane’ totally stumped me. As usual, I had a short list of common trees I was likely to see but this did not fit any description….


My sister in law informed me that these hanging filaments were Spanish Moss. Google helped with more information. Tillandsia usneoides is its botanical name belonging to the Bromeliaceae family and is found commonly growing on oak trees. Since my post is about trees, I shall not go into details about Tillandsia but you can look it up here. 


Aha.. that took care of the mystery! What I was seeing was an Oak and what I thought as its leaves was actually another epiphytic plant growing on it. 


Here is a close up where the Oak leaves are visible.




To this day, the Spanish Moss-festooned oak remains one of the most dramatic trees I have seen. 

I am participating in Parul’s #ThursdayTreeLove29. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. 

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