Few Of Its Kind (ThursdayTreeLove)

 Today's tree is yet another one that I found via our WhatsApp Tree groups. 

Its a native but very few of them grow in Pune. Usually such one of kind trees grow in inaccessible places that need a lot of determination to reach.

Gathering loads of that I drove to the place, using the shared location. 

As it happened, I could see the tree from afar and its silhoutte could easily be mistaken for a Ficus. It grew on an (apparent) barren area filled with construction debris and ofcouse plastic. Some really determined tree lover had identified the species so now we all know of it and can keep track of its health.

Without much ado, here is the Shrebera swietenioides aka Mokha in marathi of the Oleaceae family. 

Lady Luck was with me, so I found parking space and scrambled over the mounds to reach the tree. 

 

Lucky Find (ThursdayTreeLove)

 As is my habbit, I always look at trees, shrubs and other plants that grow in everyplace we visit. 

(Sometimes even at the cost of not hearing what our toursit guide has to say much to his or her chagrin!!)

Jokes apart, I came across this tree with pretty orange yellow flowers at Siem Reap. Just as we were near our bus parking outside Banteay Srei. Obviously none of the shop owners could tell me its name and I turned to Google Lens for possible IDs.

As it turns out I had gotten lucky. This was the Rumduol or Sphaerocoryne affinis of the Annonaceae family. Romdoul is the national flower of Cambodia and I felt happy and honoured to have seen it.

Some species of Annonaceae like Custard Apple and Hirwa Chafa are very common in Pune hence the flower looked familiar. (I dont take any credit for the ID)

Later, I cross checked with our guide and he was happy to confirm that this indeed was the Romdoul.

Its flowers are said to be very fragrant especially in the evenings and night (we visited in the morning hence I could not notice this) and fruits are said to be very fragrant as well. These edible fruits are said to be used to make lipstick and used in aromatherapy among many other uses. You can read more about it here. 

Magnificent (ThursdayTreeLove)

These trees have always fascinated me. In fact they have been on my blog earlier. 

I always thought these were all Ficus species that have taken over the centuries old temples at Siem Reap.

I was wrong. 

Not all the trees are Ficus.

Yes I am referring to the temples in Cambodia specifically the so called TreeTemple or Ta Phrom.

The first sight is this ... almost as if the tree is growing out of the top of the structure. Its very high so one cannot appreciate ths thickness of the trunk but its certainly daunting.

As one walks closer and around the structure, the magnificiet tree reveals itself. Rather its trunk and roots do.

                          

Its obviously not a Ficus... the tree was in flower and the inflorescence could be seen on the bare branches. Our guide told us it is the Tetrameles nudiflora of the Tetramelaceae family. He called it the Spung tree which is its local name.

The Ta Phrom complex has many more such daunting massive trees that makes one wonder if its the trees that have retained the structures or the other way around. The ASI has helped in the restoration of this important site.

This temple was built by King Jayavarman VII originally called Rajvihara. More details about the temple complex are available online. Those who have seen the movie Lara Croft : Tomb Raider may remember this temple. 

Either way, visiting Angkor Wat and some of the temples around it was a long awaited trip. Several trees in bloom and I could not identify all.. I think a dedicated botanical visit is required!! ;-) 

Of course, I hope to share some of my finds here on TTL!

Here are more images for this glorious tree.

Fallen inflorescence

Poster at the entrance of the Ta Phrom temple complex

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

First Golden Blooms

 This is the Sonsawar. Aka Ganer or Buttercup Tree. Cochlospermum religiosum of the Bixaceae  family. It is seen on the tekdis (hills) in Pune and extending some distance southwards. It doesn't grown in Pune City either. 

Another Baobab (ThursdayTreeLove)

This is the first time I met the Baobab in my travels. A gorgeous mighty old tree that lives on a busy pathway. The staff told me its about 150 years old and it has an excellent home in the Secundrabad Club where I am sure it will continue to be looked after. 

Belonging to the Malvaceae family (same as Hibiscus), the Baobab is known botanically as Adansonia digitata. It becomes leafless in winter and bears large white hanging flowers. 

Baobab is an introduced species in India, having been brought here many centuries ago. It has settled in very well here.  

Age signs on the bark. 

Hyderabad also has another very famous Baobab called Hathiyon ka Ped (Tree of Elephants) possibly because of its mammoth trunk. That tree lives in the Golconda Fort but I am not sure about its current status. 

Easily noticeable from a distance

Gourd like fruit

Baobabs are not new to my blog and you can meet others here and here. 

Have you seen this magnificent tree?

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

Soapnut Again (ThursdayTreeLove)

I have featured many trees here , some more than once - like todays tree which find its second dedicated post.

I am not sure why this tree is not very common..maybe it doesn't have flamboyant inflorescence or is uncommon...

Yet it's a very useful tree especially it's fruit. Reetha or Soapnut is a traditional washing soap . Ideal for delicate fabrics especially silk and also as a shampoo. Some still use Reetha even now.

Here is a lovely Sapindus trifoliatus or S laurifolius of Sapindaceae family in full bloom. The same premises has yet another glorious tree that is largely ignored. This one has its home at a prime spot hence easily noticed (and due to the name plate). 

Time For Change (ThursdayTreeLove)

This year, Pune had a severe summer , monsoon set in early and is in retreat mode now. 

Mornings are chilly and our walk on tekdi is more beautiful if that's possible! As the Sun moves southwards, it's rays pierce the foliage giving these amazing streaks.

People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy."
- Anton Chekhov

This quote seemed apt for the morning scene. Do you agree?

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