Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
ചമത


Family: LEGUMINOSAE
Sub-Family: Papilionoideae
English Name: Flame of the forest
Synonym: Erythrina monosperma Lam.
Common Name: Brahmavriksham
Flowering & Fruiting Period: March - April
Distribution: Tropical Asia
Habitat: Dry and moist deciduous forests, also grown in the plains
Uses: Tannin source, dye yielding, fire wood, anti-helminthic. A powerful astringent, it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and wounds. Nitrogen fixing, wind break, culturally significant, green manure, timber implements. The seeds contain around 18% oil called 'moodoga oil, it is an effective treatment for hookworms.
Key Characteristics: Flame of the forest is deciduous trees with bark grey to greyish-brown and exudation red. Leaves trifoliate, alternate; margin entire. Flowers bisexual, bright red; petals 5; stamens 9 + 1; stigma small. Fruit a pod, oblong, the base flat, wing-like; seed obovate, compressed.