Flame of the Forest

I came across this name of a tree in Biology lessons during my old days of schooling. I knew very little about it at that time except its compound leaves that impressed me most. In this very June, the red blossoms of flowers of this kind of trees in Shatin and Kwun Tong attract my eyes most of the time.

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to 15 m tall in tropical and sub-tropical regions around India and Southeast Asia.

It is a slow growing tree. Their young trees have a growth rate of only a few feet a year. The leaves are pinnate, with an 8–16 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10–20 cm long. The bright orange-red flowers are 2.5 cm long, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm long. The fruit is a 15–20 cm long and 4–5 cm wide pod.

It is a very useful tree, good for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye.

Please note:

[1] The gum from the tree is used in certain food dishes and also valuable by druggists because of its astringent qualities, and by leather workers because of its tannin.

[2] The wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable under water, is used for well-curbs and water scoops.

[3] Good charcoal can be made from it. The leaves are usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle.

[4] The flowers are used to prepare traditional Holi colour.