The Bayur Tree 6.3.2009

Pterospermum Acerifolium, Bayur Tree. Pterospermum acerifolium (karnikara tree) is an angiosperm indigenous to Southeast Asia, from India to Burma.It is most likely to grow naturally along forested stream banks. The best growing conditions are a seasonally moist then dry climate with access to full sunlight. Pterospermum acerifolium is an angiosperm that is traditionally included in the Sterculiaceae family; however, it is grouped in the expanded Malvaceae family as well. The classification Pterspermum is based on two Greek words, Pteron and Sperma, meaning “winged seed” and the species name acerifolium indicates leaves shaped like a maple's. There is an array of common names for Pterospermum acerifolium, depending on the region where it is grown. It is commonly referred to as Kanak Champa, Muchakunda or Karnikar Tree within its native range. In the Philippines, it is known as Bayog. Other common names include Bayur Tree, Maple-Leafed Bayur Tree, and Dinner Plate Tree. It is a relatively a large tree, growing up to thirty meters tall. Mostly planted as an ornamental or shade tree, the leaves, flowers, and wood of a Bayur Tree can serve a variety of functions. Commonly known as Bayur Tree, Dinnerplate Tree, Maple-Leaved Bayur, Kaniar or Katha Champa reaches a height of 50-70 ft.Leaves are simple, alternate, have stipulate and are palmately ribbed.It has large fragant nocturnal white flowers, occuring in auxillary fascicle. Fruit is a reddish wood used for planking; often grown as an ornamental or shade tree.The name ‘Pterospermum’ derived from two Greek words, ‘petron’ and ‘sperma that mean “Winged seed”.

Parijat 8.3.1997

Flowering Trees 9.10.1993

KHEJRI TREE 5.6.1988

KHEJRI TREE The Khejri, (Prosopis Cineraria), is a small to moderate sized tree, evergreen or nearby so, with lighter foliage and rather slender branches armed with conical spines, found in dry and arid regions of India. Prosopis cineraria is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to arid portions of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, including Afghanistan, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.  

The wood is suitable for interior construction work, such as columns, roofs, doors and windows and for wheels and hubs of carts, agricultural implements, tool handles, small turnery articles and well curbs. In dry and arid regions, it is a source of fuel and is used for making charcoal. The pods are used as fodder for livestock. The bark as well as galls formed onleaves are used for tanning. Leaves are lopped for fodder. The tree exudes a gum that resembles the mesquite gum. The Khejri tree has been traditionally protected by the Bishnois of Rajasthan, a remarkable phenomenon in the field of conservation, both of vegetation and soil.

The Khejri tree is appropriately being used as a theme for this stamp to be released on 5th June, 1988, World Environment Day, by the Department of Posts.  The first day cover shows an attractive tree design by Shri K.S. Radhakrishnan adapted from rural Rajasthani wall paintings.

Trees in India 19.11.1987

The four stamps on this FDC depict trees found in various parts of India.

(60P) The CHINAR (PLATANUS ORIENTALIS), of the family 'Platanacae' and a native of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, has found a home in the Western Himalayas at 1200-2400 m. Thriving on moist and well drained soils, it provides timber for furniture and is also of medicinal value. It rises 30m. in height with a short trunk and a spreading crown. Its bark is dull greyish or greenish white. The tree stands at its loveliest in Autumn.

(Rs1.50) The SAL (SHOREA ROBUSTA ROXB) belongs to the genus 'Shorea', resiniferous trees found in India, the Malaysian Peninsula and South East Asia. Covering 13.3% of the total forest area in India, it is valued for its timber. It attains a height of 18-30 m. A large deciduous tree with longitudinal cracks on its bark, it has long ovate leaves and pale yellow flowers, covered with soft white hair, scattered on the stalk. Sal finds mention even in the Ramayana and Mahabharata and in Kalidasa's 'Ritu-samhar' and 'Meghadoota'.

(Rs5.00) The PEEPAL (FICUS RELIGIOSA LINN) is an indigenous fig tree of the family 'Moraceae'. In its younger stages it is often epiphytic, growing on and gradually strangling other trees with its roots. The leaves and young branches are smooth and shiny, the leaves are heart-shaped, tapering into a long tail at the apex. Growing wild on the lower slopes of the Himalayas, it is now found in most parts of India. It is venerated by Hindus and Buddhists.

(Rs6.50) The BANYAN (FICUS BENGHALENSIS) belongs to the genus 'Ficus', the fig. moostly inhabiting tropical countries. Colloquially called the 'Bargad' or 'Vat', it is a beautiful tree, and is also of economic value. A giant tree with a spreading crown, attaining at times 3035m., it has obovate, simple leaves, shiny above and pale yellow. Hindus consider it sacred and worship it in many temples. Its lateral spread can pose problems for neighbouring plants. The Calcutta Botanical Gardens contain a Banyan covering 1.7 hectares, considered over 225 years old.

Flowering Trees in India

(35P) FLAME-OF-THE-FOREST.  [Butea monosperma (Lamarck) Taubert] A slow-growing tree seldom reaching a height of 15 meters, the frost-hardy, drought-resistant Flame-of-the-forest occurs throughout India and is considered useful for reclaiming saline lands. By February, it sheds its trifoliate, hard, leathery leaves. It announces the advent of hot weather by bursting into a blaze of flowers, produced on great, stiff clusters. The flame-orange, red or vermilion petals are covered with soft hair that glimmer in sunlight, contrasting vividly with the jet-black or bottle-green velvety sepals. One of the few hosts on which the lacinsect can be reared, it also yields a ruby-coloured gum used in tanning leather. The seed is valvued as an anthelminthic.

(50P) CRATEVA (Crateva nurvala Buchanan-Hamilton). A moderate-sized tree attaining a height of over 15 meters, it is named after cratevas (Krateuas), a Greek naturalist and physician of the 1st Century B.C. Common throughout India, the much-branched tree with a head of glossy trifoliate leaves looks very majestic when in full bloom from March to May (earlier in the South). The beauty of the flowers is enhanced by a burst of prominent purplish-violet stamens that slowly turn yellow. The bark of the tree is reported to be used as a demulcent, antipyretic, sedative, alterative and tonic.

(Re1.00) GOLDEN SHOWER (Cassia fistula Linnaeus). When most flowers are past their spring-time best, the Golden Shower decides to brighten up the summer morning. It does so by displaying a profusion of 5-petalled golden or sulphur-yellow fragrant flowers, hanging gaily on delicate, thread like pedicals. Draped in streaming clusters of golden sprays, the tree is a striking beauty from April to June. Through never entirely leafless, the deciduous Golden Shower sheds most of its leaves between March and May. The newly formed foliage has a rich copper or chocolate colour. A charming, slowgrowing, about 9 meters high tree with a spreading, one crown, it produces durable wood used for making agricultural implements, carts and grain-pounders.

(Rs2.00) BAUHINIA ( Bauhinia Variegate Linnaeus). Stocky and medium sized, with smooth trunk and thick foliage it is a beautiful ornamental tree that produces showey, fragment flowers in a range of colours?lavender, pink, mauve and purple with mottles, splashes and streaks of white and crimson. There is another variety with porcelain-white flowers, often with a mother-pearl gleam. Bauhinia variegata is often confused with the purple Bahunia (Bauhinia purpurea Linnaeus) ehich also produces variegated (though not white) flowers. The time of flowering is a distinguishing feature between the two. B. variegata is in bloom in spring while B. purpurea comes to flower in autumn.