Flowering trees

Cockspur Coral Tree flower is the national flower of both Argentina and Uruguay.

From my floral stamp collection are two stamps from Argentina illustrating Ceibo.

Cockspur Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) is a member of the Papillonaceae family and is native to central South America. The epithet crista-galli means “crested comb”, referring to the resemblance of the inflorescence to the comb of a rooster. This combined with erythros, meaning red, gives rise to one of the common names, the Cockspur Coral Tree. It is also known as Cry Baby Tree and Ceibo in South America.

The tree has several medicinal values. The bark and roots contain an alkaloid with powerful narcotic and purgative effects. In Argentina, it is used as anti-inflammatory and for treatment of wounds. In Brazil, several Erythrina species are used by indigenous tribes as insecticides, fish poison and as sleeping aid.

In the new condominium of a friend in Singapore where I stayed recently, the landscaping is minimal. There are no other plants except several Cockspur Coral Trees that are planted around the property.

The newly transplanted Cockspur Coral Tree is adapting very well.

The tree has a nice deep green leaves that constrast well with the flowers. The leaves have three leaflets, smooth, alternate, up to 6 cm long. Leaflets are dark green, elliptic, acute with entire margins. Ite can grow to a height of 5-8 meters.

The flowers are papilionate, petals 5 cm long, separate stamens about 1 cm long while the fruits are woody, elongated, cylindrical, up to 3 cm long.

Tags: Argentina national flower, Ceibo Flowers, Ceibo in Argentina stamps, Cockspur Coral Tree, Cry Baby Tree, Erythrina crista-galli, Medicinal Tree

Trees are significant in Buddhism. Siddhartha Gautama is said to have been sitting underneath a Sacred Fig (Ficus religiosa) when he was enlightened (Bodhi), or “awakened” (Buddha). The Sacred Fig also now known as Bo-Tree is a species of banyan fig native to Asia. In Theravada Buddhist Southeast Asia, the tree’s massive trunk is often the site of Buddhist and animist shrines.

Another significant tree is the Saraca indica or Ashoka Tree. According to traditions, Queen Maya of Sakya is said to have given birth to the Buddha under an Ashoka Tree in a garden in Lumbini. The story goes that the queen walked in the garden until she came to an Ashoka Tree to take a rest. Then the tree magically bent down for her and she grasped a branch. At that moment the Buddha emerged from her right side.

Close up of the flowers of Saraca indica or Ashoka Tree.

Yakshis (mythical beings of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain mythology) under Ashoka Trees were also important in early Buddhist monuments as a decorative element and are found in many ancient Buddhist archaeological sites.

The Ashoka Tree is considered sacred throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in India and Sri Lanka. This tree has many folklorical, religious and literary associations in the region. Highly valued as well for its color, fragrance and abundance of its flowers, the Ashoka Tree is often found in royal palace compounds as well as close to temples throughout India.

Saffron colored flowers of the Ashoka Tree in Wat Sene blend with the roof tiles.

Another attractive flower that is common in Luang Prabang is the Orange Trumpet Creeper or Flame Vine (Pyrostegia venusta), a South American native which puts on a display of orange flowers. It is perhaps one of the most spectacular flowering vines in cultivation.

A low wooden fence is strikingly draped with Orange Trumpet flowers.

The Orange Trumpet Creeper is a vigorous evergreen climber which supports itself by means of coiled, thread-like tendrils growing from the apex of some of the bright green compound leaves. Here, it appears to have invaded a tree.

Tags: Ashoka Tree, Orange Trumpet Creeper. Flame Vine, Pyrostegia venusta, sacred tree, Saraca indica