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. 

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). 

Revisit Finds (ThursdayTreeLove)

 Visiting the over 100 year old Empress Garden in Pune, is always amazing. Everytime I see something new.

It is spread over 45 acres and i haven't visited all parts as yet. It's not a Garden in the true sense of the word with lawns and flower beds but is a botanical garden home to very old trees. 

Recently i visited a part of the garden I had not explored before. Here is one of the predominant tree I saw there.

Several Sterculia foetida or Jungli Badam of Sterculiaceae had a home there. Stately tall and growing almost straight up the lofty trees were atleast 5 storys high. And blooming!  Most of them bore flowers and fruits. 

Here they are

Flower

The pinkish looking structure are actually sepals! And the flowers have an unpleasant smell which possibly explains the botanical name. 

These relatively small blooms grow into large fruit , seeds of which are said to be edible. 

The top image is the fruit..and lower one is part of the fruit. Seed is visible. 

The same place has massive Dhawda Anogeissus latifolia trees as well. 

My visit just reiterated that it's good to revisit any location. You never know which 'tree'sure you may find!

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