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Flame ablaze
A tall (upto 25m) quick growing tree of the Dry Zone, this can be seen planted along roadsides in Colombo and the suburbs. Green Path and Bauddhaloka Mawatha are good places to observe these beautiful specimens.

The leaves of this tree are compound, made up of small, dark green leaflets. Prior to the flowering season they acquire a distinct burnished, almost red colour which helps identify the tree. The flowers are bright yellow and form upright clusters covering the entire crown of the tree.

During the months of January to April the trees are covered with flowers which then fall to form a carpet at the base. The various names given to this tree have an interesting story to tell. The common names in all three languages are virtually self-explanatory with Yellow Flame in English, Kaha Mara in Sinhala and Nilalvakai in Tamil. The botanical name is Peltophorum pterocarpum. The former Latin name was Peltophorum ferrugineum.

Peltophorum means shield bearer and this relates to the fruits of this tree which are small pods resembling shields. Ferrugineum refers to the colour of these pods which is a reddish brown. This has been translated to English and the tree is known as the Rusty Shield Bearer.

This tree which is indigenous to Sri Lanka is used mainly for ornamental purposes in this country. However in other countries its timber is used for making furniture. It is used as firewood and its bark is used in medicinal concoctions.

Compiled by: Ruk Rakaganno, The Tree Society of Sri Lanka.Tel: 2554438; email: rukraks@sltnet.lk

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