The Palash flower plant — scientifically known as Butea monosperma — is a striking and culturally significant tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is also known as Flame of the Forest, Dhak, or Tesu.

🌺 Palash Flower Plant Description
🔹 Botanical Name: Butea monosperma
🔹 Common Names: Palash, Flame of the Forest, Dhak, Tesu, Bastard Teak
🔹 Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
🌳 Tree Characteristics:

Type: Medium-sized deciduous tree

Height: Typically 10–15 meters (30–50 feet)

Trunk: Crooked, with rough, greyish-brown bark

Leaves:

Compound leaves with 3 leaflets

Each leaflet is broad, leathery, and ovate in shape

Shed during the flowering season

🌸 Flowers:

Color: Brilliant orange, reddish-orange, or flame-red (hence "Flame of the Forest")

Blooming Season: Late winter to early spring (usually February to April)

Shape: Parrot-beak shaped flowers in dense clusters

Fragrance: Mild

Nectar: Attracts bees, birds (especially sunbirds and parrots), and butterflies

🌱 Fruits and Seeds:

Fruit Type: Flat, woody pod (about 15–20 cm long)

Seeds: One per pod, brown, flat, and oval-shaped

Maturation: Fruits appear after flowering and mature in summer

🌿 Habitat and Growth:

Native Range: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand

Soil Preference: Grows well in dry, sandy, or loamy soils

Sunlight: Requires full sun

Drought-Tolerant: Yes — thrives in arid and semi-arid regions

🌾 Uses and Significance:

Cultural:

Flowers used to make natural Holi colors (especially in India)

Sacred in Hindu rituals and poetry

Medicinal:

Used in Ayurveda for treating skin diseases, infections, and digestive issues

Ecological:

Host plant for lac insects (which produce natural resin)

Attracts pollinators, enriching biodiversity

Timber & Other Uses:

Wood used for agricultural tools and fuel

Bark yields fiber and gum (called "Butea gum" or "Bengal Kino")

📌 Interesting Fact:

The tree is often leafless during flowering, making the fiery blossoms stand out dramatically against the bare branches — a visual symbol of early spring in many Indian landscapes.