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Spread the fragrance
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Malli is a delight to the eyes and the nose
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Millingtonia hortensis is cultivated in most parts of India both in gardens, parks and avenues. Belonging to the biological family of Bignoniaceae, it is known as Akasnim in Hindi, Katu Malli in Tamil, Maramalli in Malayalam. Millingtonia is a tall tree with few branches and dark grey corky bark, its appeal lies in its ornamental value rather than any shade giving properties. It is a fine fast growing tree, produces fragrant white flowers in hanging masses.
Calyx-bell shaped, 2.5 cm across with a slender 5 cm long slender pale green tube dividing into four waxy white petals and yellow anthered stamens. One petal is longer and clefted. The tree flowers from October to December, a profusion of silvery-white fragrant flowers crown the foliage.
As they fall very soon after opening the sprays will have long whitish buds while the ground below is spangled with flowers. The tree sheds its leaves in January. The long leaves, oval, pointed and toothed are each 5 cm long and 2-3 pinnate.
The tree is named after an English botanist Thomas Millington. Hortensis in Latin, means `grown in garden'. The fruit is long and flat, but it does not seed very easily. Bark is used as substitute for cork. Widely cultivated in India and Pakistan.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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