January sees many trees lose their foliage in Pune and spring with its profuse flowering is still a few weeks away. Yet there is one tree that brings a smile not merely by its blooming but also by the 'flowers' themselves!
I am referring to Parkia biglandulosa which is locally called Chenduful belonging to the Mimosaceae family. Its a common avenue tree here and one realises its in bloom as one has to side step what look like furry balls when walking on the road. They obviously are not something kids have played with and one is compelled to look up. I have unfailingly been amazed to be looking up at what looks like tennis balls hanging down from the branches of the tree.
Each of these balls, is just the inflorescence and consists of several flowers. They remind me of tennis balls and I am still unable to understand why this Parkia is called Badminton Ball tree.. As far as I know, Badminton is played with a shuttlecock so...
Parkia biglandulosa is not native to India but I have seen it growing across the country even at one of our bases in the north east. Our daughter remembers playing with these blossoms and even preserving one of the furry balls in a box.. She still doesnt remember why and what happened to it later! More recently, one of the children in my Tree Walk group collected it as a memory of our walk!
A lovely tall tree with delicate leaves that reminds of the Gulmohor. I am sure most of you would have noticed these fallen 'tennis balls'. If not, do look out for them as Parkia is still blooming at least here in my city!
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some great trees from around the world.
Better still, join in!
:-)
Each of these balls, is just the inflorescence and consists of several flowers. They remind me of tennis balls and I am still unable to understand why this Parkia is called Badminton Ball tree.. As far as I know, Badminton is played with a shuttlecock so...
Parkia biglandulosa is not native to India but I have seen it growing across the country even at one of our bases in the north east. Our daughter remembers playing with these blossoms and even preserving one of the furry balls in a box.. She still doesnt remember why and what happened to it later! More recently, one of the children in my Tree Walk group collected it as a memory of our walk!
Better still, join in!
:-)
Nature is so fascinating when we look closely... especially the mimosa family.
ReplyDeleteNice writeup on the prompt Archana! Although i have seen these trees in Bengaluru roads, i hadn't given much thought about comparing it to a soft ball. I will observe and start loving this tree from now on! :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting write up on this trees, I have see this tree and as children we played with it, apt title - thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog @Anjana!
ReplyDelete@JoAnna Yes indeed. Fascinating! I am so happy that you could stop by! Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Angela! :-)
ReplyDeleteBangalore has many of these trees and now because of you, I know the name Archana. Thank you for telling us about this tree. I have always wondered about these tennis balls. :) So glad you joined!
ReplyDeleteThanks Parul! Happy to participate in ThursdayTreeLove!!
ReplyDeleteI've seen that tree here, I think! A zillion little balls rest all around it during mid-Fall here. They're very hard! I'd wouldn't want to be walking by the tree when they drop off.
ReplyDeleteI remember this tree was there in my apartment complex in Bangalore. Thank you, Archana, for always bringing way more than just photos of trees in you rpost. I now know the scientific name of this tree :)
ReplyDelete@Chandra Hmmm I had not thought about it... Surely would not be pleasant to have it fall on the head. Thanks ! So happy you could stop by!
ReplyDelete@Anamika Thank you so much! Tree lovers will surely enjoy such info so I try to add what I can without becoming boring or going into jargonese! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw these flowers trying to get atleast once... But suddenly one fell down but don't know this name. Got it from you thanks Archana... Great information for the Nature's lovers....
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDelete