Gul Mohur

Gul Mohur is an attractive tree whether in full foliage or during the flowering season. It is usually with a flat canopy. This deciduous tree can be found in most parts of sub Himalayan India. It is planted in parks and along roads as avenue trees. The tree is leafless (as seen in the penultimate picture) just before the flowering season. It soon acquires leaves and with the beginning of the hot season, it flowers profusely, the scarlet blooms covering the tree completely. The handsome feathery leaves are very attractive too.

The flower consists of four scarlet petals and a slightly larger yellow or white fifth petal. The pods are flat green which harden in a couple of months time and turn deep brown.

The characteristic flat canopy of Gul Mohur trees is generally not observed in northern India (last picture).

The first picture in the third row shows a Gul Mohur tree at a time when it is in bloom, in the company of other trees. Peepal tree in full foliage is at the left extreme. To its front is the silk cotton tree with ripen pods (capsules) ready for seed dispersal. In front of the silk cotton is the leafless amaltas tree with black rod-like pods of the previous year. Right in the foreground is the neem tree.

The first picture in the last row has Mast trees (commonly mistaken for the Ashoka tree) in the background.