SPRAWLING BEAUTY: NAGAKESAR
Described by William Jones—the founder of the Asiatic Society—as the most beautiful tree on the planet, the sprawling nagakesar (or cobra saffron) trees at Rani Baug are presently laden with soft-pink leaves. The nagakesar has significance for Buddhists, who believe the next incarnation of the Buddha will be born under this tree. Besides being rare, the nagakesar is also very striking for its unique flowers, which tree lovers and botanists liken to a fried egg. Its bark is so heavy it sinks in water with ease.
SWEET SCENTS: BAKUL
While strolling through Flora Fountain or Kala Ghoda, one can’t miss the sweet fragrance of the yellow bakul flowers. Also known as Maha Gandhraj, the flowers are known to be the most fragrant of all flowers in India. “These flowers smell sweet even when dry,’’ said a tree lover. “Probably this is why it is offered a lot to gods and is usually associated with Vishnu and Krishna worship,’’ he added. While the University of Mumbai at Fort sports a thick grove of bakul trees, the Press Club at Mahapalika Marg boasts a 12-year-old tree that is probably one of the oldest in the city. Bakul flowers are associated with Chaitnya Mahaprabhu, who planted this tree in Jagannath, Puri. Hence, it is considered sacred.
DESI ORCHID: KACHNAR
Many gardens in the city are lined with kachnar (or bauhinia) trees, whose mildly fragrant purple flowers are regarded as a desi substitute for orchids. The leaves are often likened to a camel’s footprints and are referred to as ‘sona’ due to their light-gold colour.
Where to find it: The NCPA gardens at Nairman Point and the Sagar Upwan in Colaba
SPRING’S HERALD: AMARTAS
Amartas (or Indian laburnum) trees are sporting their long pods and bright yellow blossoms across the city. Tree lovers point out that amartas flowers are the first indicators of spring in Maharashtra and states down south. The first blossoms are usually used for decoration and worship on the occasion of the South Indian new year Vishu. It is also called Golden Shower and its botanical name is Cassia fistula.
Where to find it: Mumbai university’s Fort compound and places in Vikhroli
MAHARASHTRA’S BLOOM: TAMAN
This pink-purple blossom (pictured at right) is Maharashtra’s state flower and it is native to southern Asia. The taman’s botanical name is Lagerstroemia speciosa and it is also known as the Pride of India, Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen’s Crape-myrtle or the banaba plant. It is likened to crape because of the delicate nature of the petals, just like the material. The tree grows to only 20 metres in height and has a smooth, flaky bark. Each flower has six white to purple petals. Where to find it: Opposite K C College at Churchgate, Juhu Gymkhana and along the Western Express Highway
BLUE MAGIC: TREE OF LIFE
A West Indian species, the Tree of Life lines Horniman Circle, with small blue flowers blooming through the summer and spreading their fragrance. The tree grows slowly and is very difficult to nurture, but it has acclimatised well to the city. The bark produces an oily substance that leaves a smooth glaze around it, leading some to consider the tree magical. Where to find it: Horniman Circle and near Flora Fountain
ONE-DAY WONDER: ANDAMAN PADAUK
A huge summer tree, the Andaman padauk sheds all its leaves by the start of April and begins getting new leaves and buds by the second week of the month. The buds keep increasing in size, not blooming until they are all ready to do so together. They break into yellow blossoms on the same day and die within 24 hours. Its botanical name is Ptecarpus indus. Where to find it: Rani Baug (or Jijamata Udyan) in Byculla
RARE TREAT: TREE OF HEAVEN
Among the rarest of summer blooms found in Mumbai, the Tree of Heaven flourishes best in the summer season. Also known as Pride of Burma, the stunning tree is the only member of the Amherstia genus and is called Amherstia nobilis. The crimson flowers hang from long, similarly coloured stalks. The petals are of unequal size. Where to find it: Rani Baug and the Rajabhai Clocktower at the university’s Fort campus
SHORT AND SWEET: KANER
The striking, pink flowers bloom in abundance in the summer and have a mild, sweet fragrance. They grow on evergreen trees that have pointed, long leaves. The kaner tree is relatively short, seldom growing beyond 15 to 20 feet in height. Unlike the Tree of Life, the kaner is very easy to maintain and can also survive without much water.
Sagar Upwan in Colaba and Rani Baug in Byculla, Priyadarshni Park in Breach Candy and many other areas across the city
SEVEN STAR: SATVIN
An indigenous tree, the satvin is known for yielding a striking cluster of seven leaves, hence the name. Also called Collar’s tree, it is considered sacred. It has been planted by the BMC at several spots across Mumbai. Where to find it: King’s Circle and Rani Baug in Byculla
SACRED BLOSSOM: KSHIRCHAMPA
‘Kshir’ means milk in Sanskrit and ‘champa’ is a variety of flower. The tree got its name because it gives out a milklike substance when a flower is plucked from it.
RAZZLE DAZZLE: AFRICAN TULIP
This is a foreign tree that yields a bunch of dazzling vermillion flowers during the summer.