More Cousins! (ThursdayTreeLove)

Just like us humans, I think plants too have relatives as in 'Cousins' .. I always refer to plants that belong to the same Genus but different specific epithets as being related as 'Cousins'!

I have had other such plants on my blog.. e.g The Malphigeas 

 

Today I have another... the Kala Shirish/Krishna Shirish or  Albizia amara of the Fabaceae family.

Its yet another resident of our very dear Vetal Tekdi in Pune and this one (shown in the photo) grows right opposite a Albizia lebbeck - The Shirish we all know.

Its presently in full bloom and the small round whitish yellow flowers are an attractive sight.

It has different leaves from the Shirish and there are other family members as well who I have not included today... such as the Albizia procera , Albizia odoratissima .

The green leaf tree at the back is the Albizia lebbeck. 

Unique (ThursdayTreeLove)

After our tree-spotting car drives in 2024 to see the Yellow Bombax, we embarked on another one recently .. albeit it wasn't too far away from Pune.

The aim was to see the elusive, rare beautiful yellow Palash or Yellow Flame of the Forest. 

We all know the red Palash but the yellow one is just as beautiful but very uncommon. According to some experts, the yellow colour is due to a genetic mutation. 

Botanically, it is called Butea monosperma var lutea of the Fabaceae family. 

According to Flowers of India, there are very few trees and is endemic to the Deccan Plateau. Our Tree group reported this particular yellow Palash that lives in Pune. I missed its flowering last year and this year I was determined to see the yellow blooms.

As it turns out, I was a few days late and most flowers had faded and fallen off. I could see some flowers. 

An amazing tree. 

Here you go...

Standing Proud (ThursdayTreeLove)

Recently i had to drive on the Expressway near Chandani Chowk in Pune ...the area alongside the road is now a jungle of steel, concrete and glass. Hardly any greenery ...and just as I was bemoaning this fact...

This glorious Bombax ceiba (aka Seemal or Shalmali) stood tall and proud and in full bloom against all odds.  It's called Sawar in Marathi and belongs to the Malvaceae family. 

It was such a heartening sight. 

Here is the tree from my window...

(I was a passenger in the car)

As the mindless so called development continues, Nature finds a way to survive. 

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in. 

Graceful (ThursdayTreeLove)

Here's another tree from my recent travels.

A graceful Lagerstroemia microcarpa (of the Lythraceae family) in its winter attire!

Having dropped all foliage its trunk and branch 'architecture' was fully visible. The smooth white bark looked was glossy in the winter sun. This must look beautiful when in bloom!

Its home is at the Kasauli Club. 

Old Treasure (ThursdayTreeLove)

 I have missed many editions of ThursdayTreeLove for many reasons and I hope I can post regularly now!

Recently I visited Amritsar and the Company Bagh there. Its a fascinating place that is home to many really really old trees. It also has a few old buildings all possibly from over a century ago. 

Many of the trees are labelled which makes identification easy and one can then try to appreciate various features instead of spending time trying to know the tree name!! 

This Camphor tree was especially beautiful. It has 6 trunks emerging from the base which was massive. People casually sat around it or walked past and I seemed to be the only one taking photos of the trees there. 

Here it is!

Cinnamomum camphora belongs to the Lauraceae family. As expected the leaved were fragrant. It is said to be native to East and South East Asia.

Driveway (ThursdayTreeLove)

Here is the beautiful driveway at the Chateau Chenonceau in France. 

Lined by Plane trees, a walk on this road evokes a surreal feeling. 

Plane trees or Sycamore belong to the Platanus genus of Plantanaceae family. It has beautiful lobed leaves and the remarkable trunk is patchy, peeling and in shades of green, yellow, grey and white. 

"Wherever you go, becomes part of you some how"- Anita Desai

Chestnut (ThursdayTreeLove)

 Here is a handsome tree .. not seen in Pune but some of its cousins are seen in northern parts of India.

Without much ado.. meet the beautiful Horse Chestnut .. I could only identify it as from the Aesculus genus ... These have their home in Paris.. the streets are lined with gorgeous massive trees with large digitate leaves. They were in bloom in May when we visited.