505

Butea monosperma(Lam.) Taub. in Engl. & Prantl

Synonym	:	Erythrina monosperma Lam.
Family	:	Leguminosae
Local name	:	English-  Flame of the forest Malayalam- Brahmavriksham
Flowering and fruiting period	:	March - April
Distribution	:	Tropical Asia
Distribution in kerala	:	Palakkad, Alappuzha, Kasaragode, Kollam, Idukki,   Malappuram, Kannur, Kozhikkode, Wayanad, Thrissur,Thiruvananthapuram.
Habitat	:	Dry and moist deciduous forests, also grown in the plains
Uses	:	Bark is used in piles, tumours and menstrual disorders. Gum is used in diarrhoea. Seeds pounded with lemon juice act as powerful rubefacient and used as a cure for a form of herpes called ‘Dhobies’ itch. Extract of seeds, flowers and leaves reputed to have contraceptive property. It is also used for dysentery, intestinal worms and diabetes.
Key botanical characters : Deciduous trees, Leaves trifoliate, alternate;; pubescent ,silky pubescent on both sides when young, ,. Flowers bisexual, bright red, in terminal or axillary, densely fascicled, racemes, Fruit a pod, base flat, wing-like and indehiscent, the tip splitting round the apical seed; seed obovate, compressed.