Indian Laburnum | अमलतास
Why in News?
Observations from the citizen-science initiative SeasonWatch indicated that Indian laburnum trees have been flowering earlier than usual in recent years, drawing attention to how changing climatic conditions can affect tree phenology.
Scientific Name
The scientific name of Indian laburnum is Cassia fistula. It belongs to the family Fabaceae.
Common Names
It is widely called Amaltas in northern India and Kanikonna in Kerala and parts of southern India. It is also known as Golden Shower Tree, Purging Cassia and Pudding-pipe Tree.
Distribution
The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and occurs naturally across parts of South and Southeast Asia. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental tree in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
State Tree
Indian laburnum is the State Tree of Kerala. It also has strong cultural importance in the state, especially during the Vishu festival, when its golden-yellow flowers are traditionally used in Vishukkani arrangements.
Appearance
It is a medium-sized deciduous tree that may grow approximately 10-20 metres tall. It produces long, pendulous clusters of bright yellow flowers, giving it the popular name Golden Shower Tree.
Seasonal Behaviour
The tree may become leafless for a brief period, often around the hot season before or during flowering. New leaves are initially glossy and may be bright green or copper-toned.
Phenology
Phenology is the study of the timing of recurring biological events such as flowering, leaf emergence, fruiting and migration. Earlier flowering can serve as an ecological indicator of changes in temperature, rainfall and seasonal patterns.
Uses
Different parts of the plant have a long history of traditional use. Bark, leaves, flowers, seeds and fruit pulp have been used in traditional systems for various purposes. The fruit pulp is known for its purgative properties. Its bark has also traditionally been used for dyeing.
Important Environmental Point
The species is not restricted only to subtropical regions. It naturally occurs in tropical environments and is cultivated across both tropical and subtropical regions.
Important Dates and Seasons
- March-May: In many parts of India, the tree undergoes rapid seasonal changes and spectacular flowering around the hot-season period.
- Vishu season, usually April: Kanikonna flowers hold special cultural importance in Kerala.
- Recent years: SeasonWatch observations have drawn attention to shifts in flowering time that may be associated with changing climatic patterns.
इंडियन लैबर्नम | अमलतास – हिंदी में विस्तृत विवरण
चर्चा में क्यों?
SeasonWatch नामक citizen-science project के observations में पाया गया कि हाल के वर्षों में Indian laburnum के फूल सामान्य समय से पहले खिल रहे हैं। इससे climate change और tree phenology के बीच संबंध पर ध्यान गया है।
वैज्ञानिक नाम
इसका वैज्ञानिक नाम Cassia fistula है और यह Fabaceae परिवार से संबंधित है।
अन्य नाम
उत्तर भारत में इसे अमलतास और केरल में कनिकोंना कहा जाता है। इसे Golden Shower Tree भी कहा जाता है क्योंकि इसमें लंबे गुच्छों में चमकीले पीले फूल खिलते हैं।
वितरण
यह भारतीय उपमहाद्वीप की native species है और South तथा Southeast Asia के अनेक क्षेत्रों में पाई जाती है। इसे tropical और subtropical देशों में ornamental tree के रूप में भी उगाया जाता है।
केरल का राज्य वृक्ष
Indian laburnum केरल का State Tree है। इसके पीले फूल Vishu festival में Vishukkani सजाने के लिए विशेष रूप से उपयोग किए जाते हैं।
आकृति
यह लगभग 10 से 20 मीटर ऊँचा medium-sized deciduous tree है। इसके लंबे पीले फूलों के गुच्छे इसकी प्रमुख पहचान हैं।
Phenology क्या है?
Phenology पौधों और जीवों में recurring seasonal events के समय का अध्ययन है, जैसे flowering, leaf emergence और fruiting। यदि flowering लगातार पहले होने लगे, तो यह बदलते temperature और rainfall patterns का ecological indicator हो सकता है।
उपयोग
परंपरागत चिकित्सा में bark, leaves, flowers, seeds और fruit pulp का विभिन्न उपयोगों में प्रयोग किया गया है। Fruit pulp purgative properties के लिए जाना जाता है और bark का उपयोग dye बनाने में भी किया गया है।
परीक्षा तथ्य
- Scientific name – Cassia fistula
- Family – Fabaceae
- State Tree – Kerala
- Kerala name – Kanikonna
- North Indian name – Amaltas
- यह केवल subtropical क्षेत्रों तक सीमित नहीं है।