Flame of the Forest
Butea monosperma

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A strongly branched tree. It has an irregular trunk. It becomes twisted with age. It grows 8 to 15 m high and spreads to 3-5 m wide. The cut bark yields a red gum. The leaves are leathery but with a silky back. They consist of 3 diamond shaped leaflets. These are 10-20 cm long by 4-20 cm wide and on stalks almost as long. The flowers are on equal length stalks around a common axis. These are 15 cm long and have rich red flowers with silver hairs. The flowers are 3-4 cm long. The flower stalks appear along the bare branches. The fruit is oblong and 10-20 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are flat, thin pods with silvery hairs. The seed are produced towards the top end of the pod. The seeds are 3.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide and very flattened.

There are 2-4 Butea species. The leaf is used as a plate for serving food.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to India, Burma and Sri Lanka. They are frost tender. It grows in the Himalayas up to 1,220 m altitude. It can grow on gravels or plains soils. It needs a well-drained soil. It needs full sun. It can tolerate some soil salinity. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The root has been recorded as eaten in India and Cambodia. The succulent young roots are roasted or boiled and eaten with salt. The flowers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

It is not known if they are used as food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Roots, flowers, gum, leaves, pods

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They should be planted as soon as they ripen. The seedlings can be transplanted after 2-3 years.

The tree is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Bastard Tree, Bengal kino, Chan mot hot, Char, Charr, Chhar, Dangs, Dhak, Gienggieng, Khakhar, Moduga, Morud, Mutthuga, Muttuga, Palas in samatha, Palas, Palasa, Palash, Palasha, Parasa, Parsa, Plah, Ploso, Pohon api-api hutan, Pohon palasa, Polash, Thawng-kwaao, Thong-gwao

Synonyms

Butea frondosa Koenig ex Roxb.; Erythrina monosperma Lamk.; Plaso monosperma Kuntze;