The city's many avenue trees are simply bursting with flowers. The beautiful purple Jacaranda's showed up in spring and is now on its way out. The gulmohur is out in its full glory, and is the first to catch your eye. Another spectacular showing is that of the Indian Laburnum with its airy yellow flowers held together in gracefully drooping grape-like clusters. Known variously in India as Amaltas, Bahava or Rela, its botanical name is Cassia fistula Linn.

Outstanding specimens dot the city at this time of the year. The tree sheds all its leaves during March-May. By end-April, the tree simply covers itself with magnificent, almost florescent yellow blooms, which will last well into the month of July.

At first glance, against light, a Laburnum in full bloom looks as if the entire tree has been lit up from within! The small to medium-sized tree has a smooth, pale bark and dark brown cylindrical seed pods that can be anywhere from 1 to 2 feet long, hanging as gracefully as the flowers themselves, like flutes. Open the seed pod, and you'll find beautiful rust-orange, heart-shaped seeds stacked one on top of the other in individual 'chambers' which are actually a series of strong membranes. The pod has a slightly strong glue-like odour, and is said to be of medicinal value, but is considered by some to be poisonous too. In forested areas, monkeys, jackals, bears and pigs eat the pods, and swallow the seeds - this is how the seeds are well-distributed and grow extensively in forested areas all over the country. In cities, it is a popular tree for gardens and avenues, as it remains small; it does not branch out very heavily and does not develop a very extensive root structure either. Wood from the bark is quite durable, and is used for agricultural implements and tool handles.

The Laburnum can be grown from seed. Experienced gardeners advise that you soak the seeds in boiling water for 5 minutes before sowing them, so that the hard seed-coat is softened. First sow them in little seed beds, and transfer well-developed saplings into the ground. You can buy saplings from the city's larger nurseries too. But remember that this tree is a slow grower, and will flower only when it is fully mature and about 5 years old. The grand specimens that we see in the city are usually at least 10 years old. It is a hardy tree and survives on very little water. It has a good chance of survival even on roadsides, as grazing cows and goats are not interested in eating its leaves. This makes it ideal to grow along compound edges too. Plant a row today, and enjoy the sparkling, cascading beauty of its flowers later. While it means a bit of a wait, your friends, neighbours, kids and even strangers passing by will bless you once they begin to flower!

Anandi