Botanical Name

Sterculia colorata

Family

Malvaceae

Sanskrit name

Unknown

English name

Bonfire tree

Hindi name

Bodula, Samari

Kannada name

Kaushi

Habit

Tree

Habitat

Well drained soil,Dry deciduous forests

Plant Description

Medium sized tree with spreading branches. Stem buttressed, grey. Leaves palmately 3-5 lobed, shed before flowering. Flowers, tubular, bright orange, soft velvety, appear in terminal clusters.

Distribution

Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka

Part used                      

Bark, fruit, flowers, seeds

Medicinal uses

Used in urinary tract infections,stomach ache

Ecological Significance

Attracts birds especially sunbirds.