Botanical Name - Erythrina indica

----- E. indica, Lam. ; F.B.I. II-188. Brandi's Ind. Trees, 226. Gamble's Ind. Timbers, 242. Vern. Pangra, Farad, Hind. Tella-varjam, Tel. Pandra, Pangri, Mar. the " Indian Coral Tree " .

----- A moderate-sized deciduous tree of rapid growth. Bark yellowish, smooth and shining, peeling off in thin papery flakes ; young stems and branchlets armed with black prickles which fall when a few years old. Leaves pinnately trifoliolate. Leaflets entire, glabrous, the terminal 4-5 in. long. generally broader than long, lateral leaflets opposite. Flowers bright-scarlet in dense racemes, with peduncle 10-15 in. long. Calyx 1-1 1/2 in. long, minutely 5-toothed at the very tip. Standard 2-2 1/2 in. long, the blade 1 in. broad ; wings and keel subequal, not more than half as long as the calys. Pod cylindrical with contractions at intervals, 6-12 in. long seeds 1-8.

----- Fairly common as a cultivated tree, but never found growing wild in the forests. It is very common in Aurangabad where it is planted as a support for the grape-vine for, which purpose it is peculiarly suitable on account of its quick growth (from cuttings), the firm permanent, though smooth bark which never peels off and gives firm hold to the tendrils of the vine, and lastly the tree remains in full leaf and very shady during the hottest months of the year, which shelters the vine from the intense heat of the sun and keeps the ground moist, and as soon as the hot weather is over, the leaves drop and expose the vines to the sun and weather during the cold season. It is also very cultivated as an ornamental garden plant. the Flowers appear at the beginning of the hot season, and the seeds ripens in June and July. The wood is similar to that of E. suberosa, and is used for the same purposes. The leaves and bark are given in fever.