Peltophorium pterocarpum

Botanical/Scientific Name:

Peltophorium pterocarpum

Common Name:

Rust tree

Family Name:

Fabaceae

Species:

Native

Location on campus:

Engineering

Local Name:

Description:

It is a deciduous tree growing to 15–25 m (rarely up to 50 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1m. The leaves are bipinnate, 30-60 cm long, with 16-20 pinnae, each pinna with 20-40 oval leaflets, 8-25 mm long and 4-10 mm broad. The flowers are yellow, 2.5-4 cm in diameter, produced in large compound racemes up to 20 cm long. The fruit is a pod 5-10 cm long and 2.5 cm broad, red at first, ripening black, and containing one to four seeds. Trees begin to flower after about four years.

Ornamental Value:

Shade tree in plantations and ornamental in parks and along roadsides. The bark used for dyes (Java–batik).

Medicinal Value:

The plant is used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several ailments like stomatitis, insomnia, skin troubles, constipation, ringworm, insomnia, dysentery, muscular pains, sores, and skin disorders.

Economic Importance:

I provide food, Shelter and nesting for Birds, Goats, butterflies, spiders, bees and Cattle. I am also used for agro-forestry, ornamental and Medicinal purposes