Butea monosperma

Butea monosperma is a medium-sized and deciduous tree growing up to 10-12 m high.

The bark of Butea monosperma is greyish or pale brown-coloured, longitudinally fissured and transversally cracked.

The leaves of Butea monosperma grow alternately on the stem (spirally arranged).
The leaf is compound, trifoliate. The leaflets are dark green-coloured above and paler beneath. The leaf is coriaceous and pubescent on both sides.
The leaflets have a 0.8-1 cm long petiole.
The leaflet of Butea monosperma is 8-12 cm long and 6-8 cm wide. The shape of the blade is ovate, the apex is acute, the base is cuneate or oblique and the margins are entire.
The venation of the leaf is reticulate with a prominent midrib.

The flowers of Butea monosperma are grouped in axillary racemes (up to 40 cm long) on leafless branchlets.
The flowers have a 3-4 cm long peduncle.
The flowers are 5-merous.
The calyx-tube is campanulate, 5-lobed and 2 cm long and 1.5 cm across. The calyx is green and finely pubescent.
The corolla is composed of 5 bright orange-coloured and pubescent petals. The corolla is about 4-5 cm across.
The androecium is composed of a curved and 5-6 cm long staminal sheath with 9 free stamens (1.5-2 cm long) at the end. 1 stamen is completely free.
The pistil is composed of a curved and 4-4.5 cm long style and a simple stigma.
The ovary is oblong and about 2.5 cm long.
The buds are covered with short hairs (velvety).
The flowers are fragrant.
 

The fruit of Butea monosperma is a flattened pod. It is velvety, 12-15 cm long and 5-6 cm wide and light brown-coloured. Each pod contains only one seed.

The seed of Butea monosperma is compressed, ellipsoid and brownish-coloured. The seed is 3-3.5 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide. There is only one seed per pod.

In India, the tree is an important host for the lac insect (Laccifer lacca), which produces shellac.

Source : Orwa C., Mutua A., Kindt R., Jamnadass R., Anthony S., 2009, Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide

The young leaves of Butea monosperma are a good fodder.

A fibre is obtained from the inner bark. It is used for cordage, caulking the seams of boats and making paper.

A red exudate is obtained from the bark, hardening into a gum known as "butea gum" or "Bengal kino". It is used as a dye and as tannin.

A bright yellow to deep orange-red dye, known as butein, prepared from the flowers is used especially for dyeing silk and sometimes for cotton. This dye is used by Hindus to mark the forehead.

Source : Orwa C., Mutua A., Kindt R., Jamnadass R., Anthony S., 2009, Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide

The flowers of Butea monosperma are useful in the treatment of liver disorders.

The seeds are anthelmintic.

The gum is a powerful astringent and it is applied in cases of diarrhoea.

Source : Orwa C., Mutua A., Kindt R., Jamnadass R., Anthony S., 2009, Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide