Padauk

Pterocarpus indicus 

No common Bengali or Hindi name

Summary: A tall, evergreen tree with a rounded canopy and drooping branches. Its leaves are feather compound, with 5 -9 small, alternately arranged dark green leaflets with a terminal one. The tree produces fragrant, golden-yellow pea-like flowers in clusters, followed by flat, winged pods.

Leaves: Leaves imparipinnate, 6 to 9 inches long; leaflets alternate, 5 to 9, elliptic, abruptly acuminate with an obtuse point

Bark: olive-grey, with vertical rectangular cracks

Flower: Golden yellow, sweet-scented flowers grow in open clusters at the ends of the branches, each flower being shaped like the flower of a pea.

Fruit: Pods that are flat and round with a broad wing

 Seasons: The flowers are produced three times during hot season before the break of the rains. Fresh young leaves mostly appear at intervals during the rains, when the trees are sometimes a brilliant emerald green, very different from their usual dark color.

Range/Habitat: The tree is believed to be indigenous in Malaya and is often planted in Myanmar. In India it is grown in gardens for its flowers and for its handsome foliage, and it is not uncommon in Kolkata.

Trivia & Comments: There is a closely associated species, Andaman redwood, or Andaman padauk, with which this tree is often confused. Andaman redwood is considered as much more valued as a timber species that this tree.

Where to find: Two full grown specimens can be found in Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata. One one the westernmost part inside a children park. GPS: 22.508535, 88.346725. Other one inside CCD cricket coaching center ground. GPS: 22.508363, 88.351999