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A cool tree that helps to ward off the heat
Most people in Chennai would have eaten from green plates that they call Thial ilai, at some point of time or the other. The tree that offers the broad leaves from which the thial ilai is stitched together — Poovarasan in Tamil or Thespesia populnea in scientific terms — has more claims to fame.
A very fast growing variety, it assumes tree-size in a matter of two to three years and gives abundant shade and cools the air around, thanks to its thick cluster of glossy, heart-shaped, broad leaves.
The tree produces tiny yellow flowers. The tree, also referred to as the Portia tree, grows to about 30 to 40 feet in height.
Poovarasan tree should not be confused with Arasamaram, though both have similar leaves. Poovarasan trees boast conspicuous yellow flowers, while the flowers of Arasamaram are tiny and insignificant.
The tree may be raised from either seeds or cuttings. The soil mixture should be porous and should contain a generous quantity of sand in it.
The tree is salt-tolerant and hardy, and can survive translocation very easily.
A jarring note in the middle of this glory is that the tree sheds all its leaves in the peak of summer, but again, new leaves will start sprouting in a month’s time.
This sturdy, fast-growing tree doesn’t need much water and its roots do not damage building foundations.
HEMA VIJAY
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