Butea Frondosa is a plant species native to South Asia, known for its bright red flowers. The spelling of the word may seem complicated, but it can be easily understood using the IPA phonetic transcription. "Butea" is pronounced as [ˈbjuːtiːə], with a stressed "u" sound and a long "i" sound before the final "a". "Frondosa" is pronounced as [fronˈdoʊsə], with a stressed "o" sound and a short "u" sound before the final "a". Proper spelling and pronunciation is important for effective communication in any field.
Butea Frondosa, also known as the flame of the forest or the Palash tree, is a species of flowering tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It belongs to the family Fabaceae and is characterized by its striking red or orange flowers.
The Butea Frondosa tree reaches an average height of 15-25 meters, with a trunk diameter of up to 3 meters. It has a deciduous nature, shedding its leaves during specific times of the year.
The tree's leaves are compound, with each leaf composed of multiple leaflets. The leaflets are oblong or lanceolate in shape, measuring about 10-20 cm in length, and possess a glossy green color. The flowers of the Butea Frondosa are mesmerizing, occurring in dense clusters at the end of branches. They are vibrant in color, typically being bright orange to red, and have a distinct shape, resembling a flame.
Butea Frondosa is often valued for its ornamental purposes, being planted in gardens and along streetscapes due to its stunning flowers. It also holds immense cultural significance in Indian folklore and tradition. Various parts of the tree, including the flowers, leaves, and sap, are utilized in traditional medicine for their potential therapeutic properties.
Additionally, the tree's seeds are known for their oil-rich composition, which is extracted and utilized in various industries, including cosmetics and paints. Overall, Butea Frondosa is a multi-purpose tree that not only adds beauty to the landscape but also holds cultural, medicinal, and industrial significance.
The word "Butea frondosa" is derived from the genus Butea and the species frondosa.
The genus Butea is named after John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, who was a prominent Scottish botanist and the President of the Royal Society. The genus Butea comprises flowering plants in the family Fabaceae (legume family) and is commonly known as the flame tree or the fire tree.
The specific epithet frondosa comes from Latin and means "leafy" or "full of leaves". It signifies the abundance of leaves on the tree.
Therefore, the word "Butea frondosa" refers to a specific species of tree from the genus Butea with lush foliage.