# Title: Trees and Flora of IIM Ahmedabad (Source: https://iimaflora.org)
# Description: A comprehensive field guide to the biodiversity, flora, and trees of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad campus.

## Introduction
The IIMA campus features over 70 species of trees, ranging from the iconic Louis Kahn Plaza Neem trees to the medicinal Saptaparni. This guide serves students, faculty, and visitors.

## List of Trees and Species

### 1. Indian Tree-of-Heaven
- **Local Name:** Moto Arduso
- **Scientific Name:** Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.
- **Family:** Simaroubaceae
- **Description:** Ailanthus, from an Ambonese word meaning "tree of heaven". The male flowers have a strong smell resembling that of male cat urine. Its close relative altissima is prized in Chinese medicine said to cure everything from mental illness to baldness. It might have been a marketing ploy to plant the tree outside the new campus to entice students to stay there instead of in the old campus.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** It is rumored this tree was planted as a marketing ploy for the new campus. Its grand name 'Tree of Heaven' sounded better than the reality of its strong-smelling flowers.

### 2. East India Walnut
- **Local Name:** Shirish
- **Scientific Name:** Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.
- **Family:** Mimosaceae
- **Description:** East India walnut is used for medicine, forage and wood along with medicinal usage.
- **Anecdote:** It is also called the rain tree because of the continuously dropping insects who feed on top of the tree. A male chauvinist name for the tree is Woman's Tongue Tree because the seeds sound like 'women prattle' when they rattle inside the pods.

### 3. Devil's Tree
- **Local Name:** Saptaparni
- **Scientific Name:** Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Description:** Named scholaris because the timber was used for school slates. The wood is soft and all parts are toxic but medicinal. Folklore associates the tree with the devil.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Campus Folklore: Students believe this tree is home to spirits. Legend says sleeping under it during exams might make you forget everything—or learn the secrets of the universe!

### 4. Custard Apple
- **Local Name:** Sitaphal
- **Scientific Name:** Annona squamosa L.
- **Family:** Annonaceae
- **Description:** Creamy white edible fruit pulp. Seeds are poisonous. Native to South America.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Creamy white edible fruit pulp. Seeds are poisonous. Native to South America.

### 5. Neem Tree
- **Local Name:** Limbdo
- **Scientific Name:** Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
- **Family:** Meliaceae
- **Description:** The Neem tree is drought resistant and belongs to the Mahogany family. The flowers are used to make pickles and soup. The soft branches are used as tooth brushes. Neem products are anthelmintic, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, anti-viral, contraceptive, and sedative. The oil, bark, leaves, fruit, in fact every part has extraordinary medicinal uses, for humans, livestock and even pest control.
- **Anecdote:** Neem tree is also referred to as 'Nature's Drugstore'. It is such a valuable plant that It has been patented. This is a subject of much controversy.

### 6. Butterfly Tree / Camel's Foot
- **Local Name:** Kachnar
- **Scientific Name:** Bauhinia purpurea L.
- **Family:** Caesalpiniaceae
- **Description:** Leaves resemble a camel's foot. Orchid-like flowers with medicinal uses.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Leaves resemble a camel's foot. Orchid-like flowers with medicinal uses.

### 7. Indian Kapok, Red silk cotton tree
- **Local Name:** Shimlo
- **Scientific Name:** Bombax ceiba L. Syn. Salmaila malabarica (DC) Schott & Endl
- **Family:** Malvaceae
- **Description:** The tree has spikes on the trunk to deter animals. The cotton in the seeds is very soft and is used to make pillows and mattresses. The wood is water resistant and is used for construction, and light duty canoes. It is also used for plywood and matchboxes.
- **Anecdote:** In the Rigveda, Salmali (the Sanskrit name of the tree) was one of the woods used to make chariots.

### 8. Flame of the Forest
- **Local Name:** Khakhro
- **Scientific Name:** Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Syn. Erythrina monosperma Lam.
- **Family:** Papilionaceae
- **Description:** The flowers of this tree make it look like it is on fire. The gum, called kamark, is used to make dishes for lactating women. The wood being water resistant is used to make cattle troughs and water scoops. The leaves make excellent environment friendly disposable plates.
- **Anecdote:** In olden times a would-be father-in-law's test for a would-be-son-in law would be this: can he make a cup out of butea leaves good enough to hold liquids like dal? In religion this tree is seen as a representation of Agni - the God of Fire.

### 9. Bottle Brush
- **Local Name:** Bottle Brush
- **Scientific Name:** Callistemon lanceolatus (Sm.) Sweet Syn. Metrosideros lanceolata Sm.
- **Family:** Myrtaceae
- **Description:** Flowers resemble a bottle brush. Australian native, often grown from cuttings.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Flowers resemble a bottle brush. Australian native, often grown from cuttings.

### 10. Golden Shower
- **Local Name:** Garmalo
- **Scientific Name:** Cassia fistula L.
- **Family:** Caesalpinaceae
- **Description:** The Cassia tree in full bloom looks like a golden waterfall. It is an Indian tree that yields prized hardwood. The fruits are toxic and have a pungent smell. It is the State flower of Kerala and is associated with the 'Vishu' festival.
- **Anecdote:** In Ayurveda the tree is called 'aragvadha' meaning disease killer and is used for a variety of illnesses.

### 11. Pink Cassia
- **Local Name:** Pink Cassia
- **Scientific Name:** Cassia renigera Wall. ex Benth.
- **Family:** Caesalpinaceae
- **Description:** Known for striking pink flowers. Blooms signal spring.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Known for striking pink flowers. Blooms signal spring.

### 12. Beefwood Tree
- **Local Name:** Sharu
- **Scientific Name:** Casuarina equisetifolia L.
- **Family:** Casuarinaceae
- **Description:** Beefwood tree is popularly known as Casuarina. It is planted as a windbreak along coastal regions. The wood splinters easily so it is best used as poles, that is why many Casuarina plantations are referred to as 'pole plantations'. It is also one of the trees chosen for the UNEP' s Billion Tree Campaign.
- **Anecdote:** It is also called horsetail due to the shape of the hanging thin leaves and whistling pine for the sounds the wind makes as its blows through the tree.

### 13. Geiger Tree
- **Local Name:** Jungli Gundi
- **Scientific Name:** Cordia sebestena L.
- **Family:** Boraginaceae
- **Description:** Geiger tree has large, tubular scarlet flowers. The stiff, dark leaves are almost as rough as sandpaper.
- **Anecdote:** The name Geiger has nothing to do with either radioactivity or the instrument we know as the Geiger counter. It is an American historical reference to Captain Geiger.

### 14. Sago Palm
- **Local Name:** Cycas
- **Scientific Name:** Cycas revoluta Thunb.
- **Family:** Cycadaceae
- **Description:** Sago Palm is not a palm but a Cycad, a class of trees with very primitive origins which have evolved little. The pith of this palm is used to make Sago.
- **Anecdote:** Sago Palm is not a palm but a Cycad, a class of trees with very primitive origins which have evolved little. The pith of this palm is used to make Sago.

### 15. Peacock-Flower, Flametree
- **Local Name:** Gulmohar
- **Scientific Name:** Delonix regia (Boj. ex Hook.) Rafin.
- **Family:** Caesalpiniaceae
- **Description:** The Flametree is commonly known in India as Gulmohar. Originally from Madagascar, it is widely grown in India. Being a Legume, it fixes nitrogen and improves soil quality. The flowers are extravagantly coloured and its foliage is dense.
- **Anecdote:** The 'chik-shak' of the Maraca, a Caribbean percussion instrument is powered by the seeds of the Gulmohar.

### 16. Coral Tree
- **Local Name:** Pangaro
- **Scientific Name:** Erythrina variegata L.
- **Family:** Papilionaceae
- **Description:** Nectar-rich flowers attract birds. Medicinal research value.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Nectar-rich flowers attract birds. Medicinal research value.

### 17. Nilgiri
- **Local Name:** Nilgiri
- **Scientific Name:** Eucalyptus globulus Labill.
- **Family:** Myrtaceae
- **Description:** The Eucalyptus is called Nilgiri in India. The trees typically grow up to 55 meters tall. It is grown for pulpwood and poles but its best-known product is oil. The oil is used in the pesticide, flavouring, and pharmaceutical industries. The leaves are used to make herbal tea. It has also been accused of restricting growth of other flora nearby, not providing food and habitat for fauna, depleting the water table and being a fire hazard.
- **Anecdote:** While Eucalyptus leaves are toxic to most animals, they form the Australian Koala Bears' almost exclusive diet.

### 18. Banyan Tree
- **Local Name:** Vad
- **Scientific Name:** Ficus benghalensis L.
- **Family:** Moraceae
- **Description:** National Tree of India with enormous ecological and religious significance.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** National Tree of India with enormous ecological and religious significance.

### 19. White Fig
- **Local Name:** Pipali
- **Scientific Name:** Ficus amplissima Sm.
- **Family:** Moraceae
- **Description:** Fruits attract large wildlife gatherings.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Fruits attract large wildlife gatherings.

### 20. Cluster Fig
- **Local Name:** Umbro
- **Scientific Name:** Ficus racemosa L. Syn. F. glomerata Roxb.
- **Family:** Moraceae
- **Description:** Clustered figs pollinated by wasps.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Clustered figs pollinated by wasps.

### 21. Peepal Tree
- **Local Name:** Piplo
- **Scientific Name:** Ficus religiosa L.
- **Family:** Moraceae
- **Description:** Sacred to Buddhism and Hinduism.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Sacred to Buddhism and Hinduism.

### 22. Mango Tree
- **Local Name:** Ambo
- **Scientific Name:** Mangifera indica L.
- **Family:** Anacardiaceae
- **Description:** National Fruit of India with thousands of cultivars.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** National Fruit of India with thousands of cultivars.

### 23. Sapote
- **Local Name:** Chikoo
- **Scientific Name:** Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen
- **Family:** Sapotaceae
- **Description:** Sweet malty fruit. Bark yields chicle used in chewing gum.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Sweet malty fruit. Bark yields chicle used in chewing gum.

### 24. Persian Lilac
- **Local Name:** Bakan / Limbdo
- **Scientific Name:** Melia azedarach L. Syn. Melia dubia Cav.
- **Family:** Meliaceae
- **Description:** Poisonous tree often confused with neem.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Poisonous tree often confused with neem.

### 25. Indian Cork Tree
- **Local Name:** Buch
- **Scientific Name:** Millingtonia hortensis L.f.
- **Family:** Bignoniaceae
- **Description:** Fast-growing ornamental with fragrant flowers used medicinally.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Fast-growing ornamental with fragrant flowers used medicinally.

### 26. Drumstick Tree
- **Local Name:** Saragvo
- **Scientific Name:** Moringa oleifera Lam. Syn. M. pterygosperma Gaertn
- **Family:** Moringaceae
- **Description:** Highly nutritious leaves, pods and flowers used to fight malnutrition.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Highly nutritious leaves, pods and flowers used to fight malnutrition.

### 27. Banana
- **Local Name:** Kela
- **Scientific Name:** Musa paradisiaca L.
- **Family:** Musaceae
- **Description:** Entire plant is usable and propagates through rhizomes.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Entire plant is usable and propagates through rhizomes.

### 28. Common Bur-Flower-Tree,Kadamb Tree
- **Local Name:** Kadamb
- **Scientific Name:** Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser Syn. Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.
- **Family:** Rubiaceae
- **Description:** Large spherical orange flowers. Member of the coffee family.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Large spherical orange flowers. Member of the coffee family.

### 29. Tree of sorrow, Night Jasmine
- **Local Name:** Parijatak
- **Scientific Name:** Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.
- **Family:** Oleaceae
- **Description:** Night-blooming fragrant flowers that fall by morning.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Night-blooming fragrant flowers that fall by morning.

### 30. Indian Date
- **Local Name:** Khajuri
- **Scientific Name:** Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb. Syn. Elate sylvestris L.
- **Family:** Arecaceae
- **Description:** Sap used for toddy and fruit for jaggery.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Sap used for toddy and fruit for jaggery.

### 31. Manila Tamarind
- **Local Name:** Goras Amli
- **Scientific Name:** Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.
- **Family:** Mimosaceae
- **Description:** Drought-resistant tree producing sweet edible fruit.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Drought-resistant tree producing sweet edible fruit.

### 32. Frangipani
- **Local Name:** Champa
- **Scientific Name:** Plumeria obtusa L.
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Description:** Highly fragrant ornamental tree associated with romance and immortality.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Highly fragrant ornamental tree associated with romance and immortality.

### 33. Mast Tree
- **Local Name:** Asopalav
- **Scientific Name:** Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.
- **Family:** Annonaceae
- **Description:** Tall, narrow tree effective for noise reduction.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Tall, narrow tree effective for noise reduction.

### 34. White Frangipani
- **Local Name:** Champa
- **Scientific Name:** Plumeria obtusa L.
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Description:** A variation of the Frangipani with beautiful white flowers and yellow centers. Known for its sweet fragrance.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Often planted near temples and in gardens for its serene beauty and scent.

### 35. Indian Beech
- **Local Name:** Karanj
- **Scientific Name:** Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Description:** A fast-growing nitrogen-fixing tree. Seeds yield 'Pongamia oil' used in lamps, soap making, and as biodiesel.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The oil is bitter and inedible but excellent for skin ailments.

### 36. Prosopis / Mesquite
- **Local Name:** Gando Baval
- **Scientific Name:** Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.
- **Family:** Mimosaceae
- **Description:** An invasive species introduced for firewood. Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant but suppresses native vegetation.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** "Gando Baval" translates to "Mad Tree" in Gujarati because of its aggressive spreading nature.

### 37. Guava
- **Local Name:** Jamrukh
- **Scientific Name:** Psidium guajava L.
- **Family:** Myrtaceae
- **Description:** Popular fruit tree native to Central America. Rich in Vitamin C.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** A favorite of the campus parrots and squirrels.

### 38. Putranjiva / Child-Life Tree
- **Local Name:** Putranjiva
- **Scientific Name:** Putranjiva roxburghii Wall.
- **Family:** Euphorbiaceae
- **Description:** An evergreen tree with pendant branches. The hard stones of the fruit are strung into necklaces for children to ward off evil.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The name literally translates to "Life of the Son" (Putra = Son, Jiva = Life).

### 39. Traveller's Palm
- **Local Name:** Traveller's Palm
- **Scientific Name:** Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.
- **Family:** Strelitziaceae
- **Description:** Not a true palm. Its fan-shaped leaves store rainwater in the base, which could supposedly save thirsty travelers.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The large fan leaves naturally orient themselves East-West, acting as a crude compass.

### 40. Royal Palm / Bottle Palm
- **Local Name:** Royal Palm
- **Scientific Name:** Roystonea regia (Kunth) O.F. Cook
- **Family:** Arecaceae
- **Description:** A stately, tall palm with a smooth grey trunk and a crown of large pinnate leaves. Often planted in avenues.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Adds a regal, formal look to the campus avenues.

### 41. Soap Nut Tree
- **Local Name:** Aritha
- **Scientific Name:** Sapindus trifoliatus L.
- **Family:** Sapindaceae
- **Description:** The fruit contains saponins and produces a lather when rubbed with water. Used as a natural shampoo and detergent.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Traditional eco-friendly alternative to chemical soaps.

### 42. Ashoka Tree
- **Local Name:** Ashok
- **Scientific Name:** Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde
- **Family:** Caesalpiniaceae
- **Description:** A sacred tree with beautiful orange-yellow flowers. Often confused with the False Ashoka (Mast Tree).
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Legend says Sita was held captive in an Ashoka grove (Ashok Vatika) in Lanka.

### 43. Toothbrush Tree / Salvador
- **Local Name:** Pilu / Khari Jar
- **Scientific Name:** Salvadora persica L.
- **Family:** Salvadoraceae
- **Description:** A small evergreen tree with drooping branches. Twigs are used as natural toothbrushes (Miswak).
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Known for growing in highly saline soils where other trees fail.

### 44. Lac Tree / Kusum
- **Local Name:** Kusum
- **Scientific Name:** Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken
- **Family:** Sapindaceae
- **Description:** A large shade tree. The host plant for the Lac insect, which produces shellac. Young leaves are bright red.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The oil from its seeds (Kusum oil) is used in hairdressing and cooking.

### 45. Arjun Tree
- **Local Name:** Sadad
- **Scientific Name:** Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn.
- **Family:** Combretaceae
- **Description:** A large tree with smooth, grey bark that peels off in flakes. Medicinal bark used for heart conditions.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Its wood is very hard; the name "Arjuna" means "white" or "bright" referring to its bark.

### 46. Indian Almond
- **Local Name:** Badam
- **Scientific Name:** Terminalia catappa L.
- **Family:** Combretaceae
- **Description:** Large leaves turn red before falling. The nut kernel is edible and tastes like almond.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Provides excellent shade due to its tiered branching structure.

### 47. Baheda / Belliric Myrobalan
- **Local Name:** Baheda
- **Scientific Name:** Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
- **Family:** Combretaceae
- **Description:** One of the three fruits in Triphala (Ayurvedic medicine). A large deciduous tree.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** In folklore, it is believed to be inhabited by demons; people avoid sitting under its shade at night.

### 48. Yellow Bells
- **Local Name:** Yellow Bells
- **Scientific Name:** Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth
- **Family:** Bignoniaceae
- **Description:** A shrub or small tree with bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. Blooms nearly year-round.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Official flower of the US Virgin Islands.

### 49. Teak
- **Local Name:** Sag
- **Scientific Name:** Tectona grandis L.f.
- **Family:** Verbenaceae
- **Description:** The most valuable timber tree in India. Large rough leaves and small white flowers.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Teak wood is famous for its durability and resistance to termites and water.

### 50. Portia Tree / Indian Tulip Tree
- **Local Name:** Paras Piplo
- **Scientific Name:** Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa
- **Family:** Malvaceae
- **Description:** Heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers that turn purple as they age.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Often planted near coasts; wood is used for making musical instruments.

### 51. Toon Tree / Indian Mahogany
- **Local Name:** Toon
- **Scientific Name:** Toona ciliata M. Roem.
- **Family:** Meliaceae
- **Description:** Fast-growing deciduous tree. Wood is red and scented, used for furniture (Red Cedar).
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The flowers are used to make a yellow dye.

### 52. Tamarind
- **Local Name:** Amli
- **Scientific Name:** Tamarindus indica L.
- **Family:** Caesalpiniaceae
- **Description:** Large, long-lived tree with feathery foliage. Pods contain sour pulp used in cooking.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Legend says sleeping under a Tamarind tree is bad for health due to the acid it releases (or perhaps just the dense shade!).

### 53. Yellow Oleander
- **Local Name:** Pili Karen
- **Scientific Name:** Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum.
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Description:** Evergreen shrub/tree with yellow funnel-shaped flowers. All parts are toxic.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Often planted as a fence; cattle avoid it due to its toxicity.

### 54. Pomegranate
- **Local Name:** Dadam
- **Scientific Name:** Punica granatum L.
- **Family:** Lythraceae
- **Description:** Small tree bearing large red fruit filled with juicy seeds (arils).
- **Fact/Anecdote:** A symbol of prosperity and fertility in many cultures.

### 55. Lead Tree / Subabul
- **Local Name:** Subabul
- **Scientific Name:** Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit
- **Family:** Mimosaceae
- **Description:** Fast-growing tree used for fodder and firewood. Can be invasive.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Known as the "Miracle Tree" for its rapid growth and multiple uses.

### 56. Curry Leaf Tree
- **Local Name:** Meetha Neem
- **Scientific Name:** Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.
- **Family:** Rutaceae
- **Description:** Small tree valued for its aromatic leaves, essential in Indian cuisine.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Berries are black and edible (sweet), but the seeds are poisonous.

### 57. Wood Apple
- **Local Name:** Kothu
- **Scientific Name:** Limonia acidissima L.
- **Family:** Rutaceae
- **Description:** Hard-shelled fruit with sour pulp. Sacred to Lord Shiva.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The shell is so hard it often needs to be cracked with a hammer or stone.

### 58. Bael Tree
- **Local Name:** Bili
- **Scientific Name:** Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa
- **Family:** Rutaceae
- **Description:** Sacred tree; trifoliate leaves offered to Lord Shiva. Fruit is medicinal.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The fruit shell is used to make small boxes or cups.

### 59. Indian Jujube
- **Local Name:** Bor
- **Scientific Name:** Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.
- **Family:** Rhamnaceae
- **Description:** Thorny tree with small edible fruits. Extremely hardy in dry regions.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The fruit is a favorite of children and birds alike.

### 60. Manila Tamarind
- **Local Name:** Goras Amli
- **Scientific Name:** Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Description:** Thorny tree with spiraling pods containing sweet, white pulp.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Originally from Mexico/Central America, not Manila!

### 61. River Tamarind / Subabul
- **Local Name:** Baval
- **Scientific Name:** Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile
- **Family:** Mimosaceae
- **Description:** Classic thorny acacia. Gum arabic is obtained from the bark.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Traditional source of strong timber for agricultural tools.

### 62. White Leadtree
- **Local Name:** Pardesi Baval
- **Scientific Name:** Leucaena leucocephala
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Description:** (See Subabul above - often listed twice under different common names in databases).

### 63. Wild Sage / Lantana
- **Local Name:** Indradhanush
- **Scientific Name:** Lantana camara L.
- **Family:** Verbenaceae
- **Description:** Though a shrub, it can grow tree-like. Multi-colored flowers. Invasive weed.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Beautiful but allelopathic—it stops other plants from growing near it.

### 64. Paper Mulberry
- **Local Name:** Paper Mulberry
- **Scientific Name:** Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L'Hér. ex Vent.
- **Family:** Moraceae
- **Description:** Bark used for making paper and cloth in East Asia.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Pollen is a significant allergen.

### 65. Sausage Tree
- **Local Name:** Sausage Tree
- **Scientific Name:** Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth.
- **Family:** Bignoniaceae
- **Description:** Famous for large, sausage-shaped fruits hanging from long stalks.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Fruits are inedible to humans but eaten by hippos and baboons in Africa. Flowers are pollinated by bats.

### 66. Cannonball Tree
- **Local Name:** Kailaspati
- **Scientific Name:** Couroupita guianensis Aubl.
- **Family:** Lecythidaceae
- **Description:** Large spherical woody fruits and beautiful pink-orange flowers.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The flower structure resembles a Shiva Lingam hooded by snakes, hence the name "Kailaspati".

### 67. African Tulip Tree
- **Local Name:** Rugtoora
- **Scientific Name:** Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.
- **Family:** Bignoniaceae
- **Description:** Spectacular red-orange trumpet flowers. Water-filled buds are used by children as water pistols.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Known as the "Flame of the Forest" in other parts of the world (distinct from Butea monosperma).

### 68. Rain Tree
- **Local Name:** Vilayati Siris
- **Scientific Name:** Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.
- **Family:** Mimosaceae
- **Description:** Massive umbrella-shaped canopy. Leaves fold up at night and during rain.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Called "Rain Tree" because cicadas feeding on it release droplets that feel like rain.

### 69. Copper Pod / Rusty Shield Bearer
- **Local Name:** Sonamahor
- **Scientific Name:** Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) K. Heyne
- **Family:** Caesalpiniaceae
- **Description:** Yellow flowers and copper-colored seed pods. Excellent avenue tree.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Often planted alongside Gulmohar (Red) for a striking Red-Yellow contrast.

### 70. Silk Cotton Tree
- **Local Name:** Semal
- **Scientific Name:** Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.
- **Family:** Malvaceae
- **Description:** Tall tree with buttressed roots. Produces Kapok fiber (floss).
- **Fact/Anecdote:** The "Kapok" fiber is water-resistant and was used in life jackets.

### 71. Fish-tail Palm
- **Local Name:** Shiv Jata
- **Scientific Name:** Caryota urens L.
- **Family:** Arecaceae
- **Description:** Leaves resemble a fish's tail. Monocarpic (flowers once then dies).
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Sap is used to make palm sugar and toddy.

### 72. Paradise Flower
- **Local Name:** Galtoro
- **Scientific Name:** Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw.
- **Family:** Caesalpiniaceae
- **Description:** Shrub/Small tree with striking red/yellow flowers.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** National flower of Barbados.

### 73. Ironwood
- **Local Name:** Anjan
- **Scientific Name:** Memecylon umbellatum Burm.f.
- **Family:** Melastomataceae
- **Description:** Small evergreen tree with brilliant blue flowers.
- **Fact/Anecdote:** Leaves yield a yellow dye.