Copperpod

Peltophorum pterocarpum

A familiar tree with twice-feathered leaf that blooms in summer months in crinkled yellow flowers followed by small copper colored flat pods

Leaf: Twice-feathered, 12-15 side stalks each with 10-30 small, somewhat stiff leaflets.

Flower: Bright yellow crinkled in dense upright clusters. Slightly fragrant.

Fruit: 2-3 seeded flat pods in clusters coppery or rusty in color

Season: Leaves fall in late winter. New leaves in March. Flowers in late March to May, then again (in less profusion) during rains. The fruits appear soon afterwards and remain for many months.

Range/habitat: Sri Lanka, Andamans eastwards through tropical Asia into northern Australia. Not native of mainland India. In open coastal forests and inner boundaries of mangrove forests.

Trivia and notes: Among the most common trees in urban areas, including Kolkata. Looks beautiful in summer and even the ground below becomes carpeted by yellow flowers.

Where to Find: There are many such trees in Rabindra sarobar. In the north west corner, there are many trees at the border with the southern avenue (from lake kalibari to Lansdowne crossing) 22.51295, 88.35478