Peltophorum pterocarpum 

Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex Heyne

Family       : Caesalpiniaceae

Common Name : ചരക്കൊന്ന (Mal)

: पीला गुलमोहर (Hin)

: Copperpod(Eng)

Copperpod is sometime also called yellow flame tree, because of the resemblance of its fern-like leaves to that of Gulmohar. It is a very handsome tree with its spreading crown of many branches consisting of feathery mimosa like leaves and abundance of bright yellow blooms. When the copper-red seedpods cover the tree in profusion it is a wonderful sight. Thus the tree is much cultivated as an ornamental and is often planted alternately with Gul Mohur. It is easily propagated by seeds and the timber is used for cabinet work. 

Trees, to 20 m high, young parts brown tomentulose. Leaves bipinnate, alternate; pinnae 10-12 pairs, opposite, 4-15 cm long, slender, pulvinate, brown pubescent; leaflets 14-38, opposite, 1-2 x 0.3-0.8 cm, sessile, oblong, base obliquely truncate, apex obtuse or retuse, glabrous above, puberulent beneath, membranous; lateral nerves 4-8 pairs, pinnate, slender, prominent, intercostae reticulate, faint; rachis 21-40 cm long, stout, pulvinate, brown tomentulose. Flowers bisexual, golden yellow, in terminal or lateral racemose panicles; pedicels 7-10 mm long. Calyx lobes 5, ovate, 7-10 mm long minutely rufous tomentulose. Petals 5, subequal, crinkled. Stamens 10, filaments free, pilose at base; anthers uniform. Ovary half inferior; stigma peltate. Pod, 5-12 x 1.7-2.5 cm, samaroid, oblong-elliptic, minutely tomentulose, longitudinally striated; seeds 1-4, lenticular, light brown, compressed.

Use : An exotic and a Garden plant and the timber is used for cabinet work.

Distribution : Native of Sri Lanka, Andamans, Malaya Peninsula and North Australia

Flowering & Fruiting : Throughout the year