Palash

Palash
This flower is called Palash in Bengali. It starts blooming end of JAN and around mid March it is in full bloom. Perhaps the most attractive flower of the season.
The plant grows to a height of around 15ft and does not require any care. The jungles of Bengal, especially Birbhum, Bankura and the South Bengal are full of these. The flowers are around 5-6cm in length and the petals feels like velvet.
This shot is in the studio and light is the sun rays coming in from the window in the late afternoon.

Palash (Butea monosperma) is lovingly called "The Flame of the forest". When in full bloom in the spring, the whole forest really looks like as if in flames.
The tree is sacred to Hindus & Buddhists. Besides giving a harmless dye from the dried flowers, the tree has other medicinal properties also. The dried flowers has Diuretic properties; the Gum secreted from the bark contains Tannin & is effective in controlling Diarrhoea ; the seeds have anti-worm action. The Palash tree is a fine example of "BEAUTY WITH QUALITIES".