Butea Monosperma
Family : Leguminosae
Common Name : Flames of the forest
English Name : Flames of the forest
Hindi Name : Dhak, Palash
Telugu Name : Kimsukamu
Bengali Name : Palash
Tree Characteristics :
It is common in mixed dry deciduous forests of Andhra Pradesh, Being in open grass land and scrub forests. Identified by trifoliate leaf and scarlet flowers. Recommended for afforestation in waterlogged areas, tankbund, black-cotton soil, saline-alkaline and badly-drained ground. It is a light demander, drought hardy, good coppicer, and develops root suckers.
Nursery Practice :
Pods collected in cotton/ plastic/ gunny/ polythene bags are transported. No special care is suggested for transporting. Pods are dried under shade and the wings are removed by hand. Pod segments containing seeds are sown in polybags in May. Germination commences within a week. Seedlings can be planted in August. Stump planting from one year old seedlings of the primary bed can be done. No. of pods per Kg is 623; No. of seeds per Kg is 1480. Germination percentage is 70 to 80 and the Germination period 5 to 16 days.
Economic Uses :
Tribals use its flowers and young fruits. The plant is used in Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha medicine for various ailments. Almost all parts of the plant, namely roots, leaves, fruits, stem bark, flowers, gum and young branches are used as medicine, food, fibre and for other miscellaneous purposes such as fish poison, dye, fodder and utensils. Approximately 45 medicinal uses are associated with the plant, half of which have already been scientifically studied and reported (Burli and Khade, 2007). The tree is silviculturally important, used as host for lac insect. The leaves are classed as a good fodder. It is also used by the different tribal societie
Various part of Palash tree are used in traditional medicine system, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, for treatment of variety of diseases. The seeds of tree have purgative, diuretic/stimulates production of urine and anthelmintic/ anti-parasitic properties. The seeds powder is used in case of intestinal parasites. The seeds when ground with lemon juice have powerful rubefacient (causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation) action and are used for treating Dhobi’s itch. Flowers and leaves are diuretic, aphrodisiac, astringent and increase flow of blood in pelvic region. In diarrhoea flower infusion is given.
