Flowers on indigenous trees that run riot in summer

This is the time for local flowers to run riot. None of these flowers is ranked high and far removed from rose, the queen of flowers, tulip, daffodil, gladiolus or even the local selects such as rajanigandha, beli and shefali. But their overwhelmingly spectacular and mesmerizing sights have no equals anywhere. These are hijal, jarul, barun, sonal, palash, shimul, mathar, krishnachura and radhachura. Each has its dominant colour to make its presence known and known very prominently.

Krishnachura and radhachura dot roadsides of Dhaka more than any other tree does. They are known to the residents of this city but those other trees now in full bloom are not common at all in this city with sparse trees.

Even in villages, hijal tree or Indian oak is fast becoming rare indeed. Usually, its flowers are of two colours---red and pink. So profuse are these flowers on a tree that the colours are unmistakable from a long distance. The closer one approaches, the tree reveals a most endearing spectacle of colour. It has a scent too but not particularly sweet but somewhat wild.

What is most remarkable about the flowers is that they hang from the branches downward. Like sonal (golden shower) these small star-like flowers stick together in droves all around a 10 to 15-inch long wire like peduncle. In full blooms, a tree presents a most captivating sight. In high summer, the star-like colourful hairy flowers come off floating in the air. Softly do they descent like Jibananada's sound of the dew. They produce a bemusing thick carpet under a tree. One is sure to be confused about which way to look---on the ground or up at the shower of colours.

Like hijal, sonal flowers also hang downward in thick bunches. They are yellow all the way as their name suggests. Some would like to describe their colour as raw turmeric (kancha halud). It is because of the extraordinary brightness of the colour. When the sun shines on the flowers, the spectacle weaves a magical spell on all who behold the unearthly sight.

If sonal can be seen courtesy of its rows on the western plaza of the Jatyia Sangsad, jarul is not easily found in the capital city. But this flower has its own beauty. A mixture of white and pink, its lush blooms are highly appealing. Like all the flower trees under review here this tree grows moderately tall but do not have thick branches. So the flowers are easily visible as they bloom in clusters.

Another rare species is barun or locally called banya. It is a tall tree and branches out sparsely. But when in bloom, the whitish flowers give a lovely look. Because of its low timber value, the tree is fast disappearing from rural areas. However, if a row of this tree grows or planted anywhere, it may present a most enchanting spectacle of scenic beauty.

Next comes mathar in order of rarity. With spikes on its trunk and branches, the tree itself does not present a good look. But when the deep red flowers are on, it smiles all crimson. Its petals can be mixed with tamarind and coriander leaves to make an instant pickle. This tree is also on the verge of extinction because it has hardly any use apart from firewood.

Among all such trees shimul (cotton tree) is prospering because of its invaluable harvest---cotton. This too is a spiky tree but this is more than compensated by the deep red flowers like that of mathar and more importantly its cotton yield. Shimul trees may be found together at a place because of its commercial value but the colour that paints a unique picture is beyond an artist's brush.

Although palash (papyrus) is a flower of spring, some varieties of this flower continue to bloom in summer. In palash red reigns supreme but there are yellowish and orange palash as well. When the flowers are in full bloom, it appears as if the tree is on fire.

Nature may be ruthless in summer but these flowers are heavenly and do more than compensate for the hostility. Their only rival may be cherry blossoms in Japan. The message they seem to convey is that beauty is at its most intense, regal and diverse when they come out triumphant against all odds.