Today, I will share a story spread over five months… a story of identifying a tree …
It all began in February when I was temporarily staying at a new area and my morning walks took me to a local garden. As is my habit, I mentally named the trees but one particular species (and there were at least six full grown trees) was especially challenging. It had a lovely buttressed trunk, glossy green leaves and round lemon-sized fruit.
This glorious green tree had me staring at it every day!
See the green fruits
I kept racking my brains, googled the images but no luck. My usual reference books were not available to me. Finally, inspiration struck and I narrowed down a possible ID to Rudraksha. The leaf structure seemed to match perfectly…
In the absence of flowers, there was a way to confirm.. check the seed. While earlier there were plenty of fruits on the walkway, suddenly I could not find any.. Being end of Pune winters, most trees were shedding their dry dead foliage. The cleaning staff used to clear the area before I reached. .. I even checked the mound of collected dead leaves in case I could get a fruit..
Then I changed my walk time and got lucky. There was a fruit just waiting for me .. I picked it up and almost ran back home to cut it open… Bingo… the typical Rudraksha seed smiled at me!!!
The fruit that escaped the broom!
Fruit and Leaf .. can you see the forked lateral vein?
The unmistakable Rudraksha seed
I was thrilled and shared these images with all and sundry! What is most amazing is that local authorities had planted such a beautiful tree in a small park.
Next, I had to wait for the flowers. Come June, I was rewarded with the first buds but they took more than 3 weeks to bloom. And when they did, the trees looked absolutely glorious.. the tiny white frilly flowers amid glowing green leaves.
Have you seen the Rudraksha tree? I have not yet identified the exact species but this is definitely the Eleaocarpus genus of the Elaeocarpaceae family. According to the Flowers of India website, a species is found in the western ghats, central and south Sahyadris. Rudraksha is revered by many and is said to have huge medicinal value.
Hope you enjoyed my story.
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some amazing trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
The beautiful green trunk of this tree just stopped me in my tracks.. This was a few years ago in Phoenix, Arizona. Help was at hand in the form of a small board with the tree id.
This is the Palo Verde – a tree belonging to the Fabaceae family and belongs to the Cercidium genus. Chorophyll present in the bark gives it the green colour (as does it in leaves). And yes, you are right, for this reason, the bark of the Palo Verde also produces food by photosynthesis as do its leaves. I guess, this is a plant adaptation for growing in region with high temperatures.
I remember we had learnt in school that, in desert plants like Cacti, leaves turn into spines to limit water loss and the green fleshy stem takes over the job of photosynthesis (food production).
As I have said time and again, travelling is a great way to see history and culture of a new place, monuments and importantly, to see and enjoy its Flora as well!
Do you notice trees and plants during your travels?
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove Blog hop. Do head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
For some inexplicable reason, I was under the impression that only trees in the Ficus genus and Sheflera bore aerial roots. When I saw this tree with profuse roots growing from its branches, I was completely taken aback. It is obviously a fully grown tree and I saw it in San Francisco.
This is a tree called Metrosideros excelsabelonging to the Myrtaceae family. Commonly called the New Zealand Christmas Tree. The species is endemic to New Zealand.
The tree is said to have brilliant flowers however it was not in bloom when during my visit. Instead, I have an image of its leaves.
Surprises never cease and this plant reminded me that there is something new to be learnt all the time.
Ever since my course in Field Botany, my travels are all the more interesting as I spend time trying to identify trees around me. Many a times, I end up just enjoying the tree as no ID seems to match.
This quote sums it up “Time spent in Nature is time realising you don’t know it all, that you never will. The earth is meant to be enjoyed by its inhabitants” – AbdulRauf Hashmi
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in.
These trees caught my eye from a distance.. the branches made them look as if they were dancing! Naturally, I was curious to identify the plants. On going closer, I found them to be our old friend.. the Guava … Not one or two but an entire grove of Guavas!
When in fruit, it would be a feast for birds and people living there I am sure. A visual treat for the rest of the year!
Guava goes by the botanical name of Psidium guajava and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It bears pretty flowers and the tree bark is typically smooth and peeling.
Have you seen the Guava tree? Do you enjoy to eat Guavas?
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
This was the view that greeted me as I paused to catch my breath when climbing this hill. The trees seemed a perfect frame for the river Moshi which is one of the tributaries of Pune’s Mutha River. It has a dam at Varasgaon and this is the backwater area.
We walked up at the start of June, when the city was facing a severe water crisis. The south westerlies seemed to be bringing in hoards of clouds which filled the entire sky.
For a change, the view kept me away from trying to identify the trees… Also they were on the slope and I was not keen on going too close to them. They are likely to be Jamun or Ain, two species which were common in that area.
I am joining Parul in her bimonthly ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see lovely trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
From afar, this Ficus looked like any other Ficus benghalensis and I almost gave it a miss. Yet something took me closer and lo behold! I was seeing a tree that I had only read about and had yet to see..
Yes, its the Ficus benghalensis var krishnae – the tree that boasts of cup like leaves. Naturally there are mythological stories associated with this tree specifically because of its leaf shape. The leaves are folded at the base to form a sort of a pocket. Don’t believe me.. see for yourself!
It belongs to the Moraceae family and is said to be related to the Ficus benghalensis or the Banyan Tree that we all know. With its aerial roots and spreading branches, this evergreen tree has an imposing canopy.
Spotting this Ficus was the highlight of that tree walk. Have you seen the Ficus benghalensis var krishnae?
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
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.
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).
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!
This is one tree that almost everyone would have seen, admired and possibly also know its name.
Thats right this is the Cassia fistulaof 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!
“Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven”
…Rabindranath Tagore
These Pear trees were in full bloom in Thimpu and I clicked these images at the Folk History Museum. If you are still gasping at their beauty, then here is a close up of the flowers!
Pear belongs to the Rose family (Rosaceae) and belongs to the Pyrus genus.
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Head over to see some wonderful trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
I spotted these trees recently. All efforts to take a ‘solo’ photo of them failed as it was a very busy road and vehicles simply couldnt be kept out of the frame. Going closer meant losing some part of the tree.
The twins look magnificent don’t you think??
So here is the Baobab that is called Adansonia digitata and belongs the Bombacaeae family. It is native to Africa and has been introduced to India hundreds of years ago. In fact, it seems to be quite happy here considering that it flowers and fruits happily. It can be easily identified by its palmate leaves and its huge trunk. The trunk is said to store water. In the above photo, the white flowers are of the Plumeria though the Baobab also bears white flowers.
I have seen this species at four other places in Pune and this was a new find for me! This is also my third Baobab post on my blog!
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!
