Different Names of Yellow Goldmohur Generally known by the English name Yellow Goldmohur is also known as "Radhachura" in Bengali, "Peela Gulmohur" in Hindi, "Perunkonrai" in Tamil and "Kondachinta" in Telegu. The scientific name of this plant is "Peltophorum Pterocarpum" which belongs to the Gulmohur family. "Copperpod", "Golden Flamboyant", "Yellow Flamboyant", "Yellow Flame Tree", "Yellow Poinciana" are its common names. Characteristic Features of Yellow Goldmohur Yellow Goldmohur can be called a handsome tree with dense leaves and a grey bark. It has dark green leaflets and fragrant yellow flowers. It is a medium sized deciduous tree growing to 15-25 m (rarely up to 50 m) tall, with a grayish rough bark. The crown has a typical umbrella shape. The leaves are bipinnate, 30-60 cm long, with 16-20 pinnae, each pinna with 20-40 oval leaflets 8-25 mm long and 4-10 mm broad. The tree bears bright yellow and fragrant flowers in bunches found on erect, terminal inflorescence of 30-43 cm long. Flowers are bisexual, with yellow petals that are tissue-thin and crinkled. The fruit is a pod 5-10 cm long and 2.5 cm broad, red at first, ripening black, and containing one to four seeds. Trees begin to flower after about four years. The tree is deciduous and sheds its leaves after a dry spell, usually around February and August each year. Medicinal Values of Yellow Goldmohur Although this was not a traditional medicinal plant of India yet it has profuse medicinal uses in Java. It is known to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. The barks from which extracts are taken are believed to be effective in curing dysentery and relieving ulcers, muscular pain and sprains. The extracts can also be used as an eye lotion, gargle and even tooth powder. |