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Scarlet splendour

The shiny seeds of Adenanthera are beautiful

PODS AND SEEDS Adenanthera

Adenanthera is a handsome, deciduous tree from China and Malaya, cultivated in India in parks, gardens and on roadsides. It is also called Bandiguruvenda in Telugu, Kundumani (Tamil), Ratangunj (Hindi) and Manjadi (Malayalam). Its leaves are bipinnat e, 20-30 cm long, with 3-6 pairs of pinnae. Individual flowers are small, with 10 stamens each. Fruit-pods are 10-20 cm long, curved, containing bright scarlet seeds. Pods burst exposing the brilliant red seeds on a silvery surface. The seeds are sometimes eaten, also made into rosaries and used as weights by goldsmiths. Propagation is by cutting and seeds. Seeds germinate slowly; they are soaked in water before sowing. The seeds fall on the ground once they mature. Children collect them and use them for counting or playing games.

CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN

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