রুদ্র পলাশ/ Spathodea(Bignoniaceae)

Spathodea is a monotypic genus in the flowering plant family Bignoniaceae. The single species it contains, Spathodea campanulata, is commonly known as the African tuliptree, fountain tree, pichkari or Nandi flame. The tree grows between 7–25 m (23–82 ft) tall and is native to tropical dry forests of Africa. It has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders.

 

This tree is planted extensively as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics and is much appreciated for its very showy reddish-orange or crimson (rarely yellow), campanulate flowers. The generic name comes from the Ancient Greek words σπαθη (spathe) and οιδα (oida), referring to the spathe-like calyx. It was identified by Europeans in 1787 on the Gold Coast of Africa.

 

The flower bud is ampule-shaped and contains water. These buds are often used by children who play with its ability to squirt the water. The sap sometimes stains yellow on fingers and clothes. The open flowers are cup-shaped and hold rain and dew, making them attractive to many species of birds.

 

Common names:

Afrikaans: fakkelboom, Afrika-vlamboom

Kannada: Neerukayi mara (ನೀರುಕಾಯಿ ಮರ)

English: African tulip tree, fountain tree, Nandi flame, Nile flame, squirt tree, tulip tree, Uganda flame

French: immortel étranger

Hindi: rugtoora (रुग्तूरा)

Malayalam: Poomaram (പൂമരം)

Luganda: kifabakazi

Luhya: muzurio

Malay: panchut-panchut

Sinhala: kudaella gaha, kudulu, Hujja

Spanish: amapola, espatodea, mampolo, tulipán africano, in Puerto Rico meaíto.

Swahili: kibobakasi, kifabakazi

Tamil: patadi (பாசடி)

Trade name: Nandi flame.

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