Botanical Name - Poinciana elata

----- P. elata, Linn.; F.B.I. 266. Brandi's Ind. Trees, 249. Gamble's Ind. Timbers, 269. Vern. Sankeswar, Sankesalu, Tel. Sanchaila, Mar.

----- A medium-sized tree. Not found wild. Gamble only mentions one locality, Porbunder State in Kathiawar, Bombay, where it is indigenous and grown wild. Balfour's mentions Malabar (Balfour's " Timber Trees " ). Pinnae 2-8 pairs; leaflets linear, 1/3 in. long, 10-20 pairs. Flowers large in corymbos, few-cleft; petals four white, one greenish-yellow, all turning orange when fading. Stamens and style more than twice the length of petals. Pod 6-8 in. long, supported by the persistent calyx.

----- Very commonly planted in avenues and gardens; plentiful along the roadsides towards Begumpet and Chilkalguda in Secunderabad, in Karimnagar, Warangal and other large towns; and also in the Mahratwara. The tree is very handsome when in flower and very ornamental. It grows well from cuttings, is of quick growth and gives a grateful shade. In the Madras Presidency the leaves are extensively used for manuring indigo fields. The wood is yellowish-white tolerably close and even-grained, is not liable to crack and would do well for cabinet-maker's work. It is also used in turnery for toys and other small articles. Weight about 45 lbs. per c. ft.