Hello, I am a Copperpod Tree

Due to my stunning appearance, I am widely cultivated as an ornamental tree, particularly in India, Nigeria, and Hawaii. My dear friend, the Gulmohar – who has suspiciously similar looking leaves, and I are often planted alternately as avenue trees, creating a striking display of yellow and red in the summer. This has been beautifully done on Hughes Road in Mumbai.

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Together with Gulmohar and the Rain Tree, I am one of the most commonly found trees lining the streets of Goa.  In Goa, we are lined up along several lanes, including those from Campal to Miramar Beach and by The Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panjim, extending to the end of 18th June Road.  And, of course, also here at Goa University.  We were planted here in the 1950s and have become an integral part of the State’s landscape and heritage.

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I do have some bad news to break to you.  It’s about my lifespan. I will probably die before you.  I live a short but productive life of nearly 50 years.  Sometimes, you have to live and let die.  I begin to work hard early, starting to flower around the age of four. I usually grow to be about 20 meters tall. I have a deep root system, which makes me very wind-firm. I grow quickly and am drought-tolerant, but I cannot tolerate frost.

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One of my major strengths is adaptability to various soil types and climatic conditions. I thrive in tropical and subtropical regions and can withstand both drought and occasional flooding. This hardiness makes me an ideal choice for landscaping in a wide range of environments, from gardens and parks to streets and avenues.

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In some regions, my flowers are used in religious ceremonies and festivals, adding a touch of spirituality and vibrancy to the celebrations. My bright yellow blooms are used for decoration in Telangana State’s Bathukamma festival.  In Telugu, Bathukamma means ‘Mother Goddess come Alive’.  Bathukamma is a beautiful flower stack, arranged with different unique seasonal flowers most of them with medicinal values, in seven concentric layers in the shape of a temple gopuram (entrance). It is usually brothers who bring flowers to their mother and sisters to arrange bathukamma.  Historically, Bathukamma meant "the festival of life". It also marks the celebration of femininity in the Deccan region, during which women and young girls of Telangana dress up in traditional saris and attire, with jewels and other accessories.

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However, my beauty is not for your eyes only, my reputation is International.

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In Singapore, while I am critically endangered in the wild, I have been widely planted along roadsides for my wide, shade-providing crown, and bright yellow blooms. Two of us are also listed as Heritage trees. One of them located at Mount Emily Park, is over 70 years old, and was measured at 4.8 meters in girth. The country’s love and care have significantly extended my lifespan beyond the average.

 

In Java, Indonesia, my bark is an important source of dye for making batik-patterned clothing.

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All right, enough about my beauty.  Anymore and you will have me blushing my glorious yellow flowers into pink.

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I am a fast-growing tree, which makes me valuable for reforestation, agroforestry, and urban forestry. Additionally, I serve as a source of green manure.

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My wood has a wide range of applications, including cabinet-making, axe handles, buckets, and ornaments, and it is also used as fuel. Young leaves and pods are consumed as fodder and my flowers provide a high yield of nectar and pollen for beekeeping.

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Through my use in traditional medicine, there’s a quantum of solace I bring to the lives of humans.  I am utilized as an astringent. My flowers are known to help treat insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders. They can also be used as an astringent for postpartum pain, sprains, bruises, and swelling.

The dye extracted from my heartwood is applied in the textile industry. I am also planted as a shade tree in coffee and cacao plantations and utilized in shelterbelts due to my wind resistance.

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I also go by these names:

Hindi: पीला गुलमोहर Peela gulmohar • Kannada: Bettada huli, Bettada hunise • Tamil: பெருங்கொன்றை Perung Kondrai, Ivalvagai, Iyalvakai • Telugu: Kondachinta

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Jemerlang Laut, Yellow Flamboyant, Jamerelang, Balai, Batai, Batai Laut, Yellow Poinciana, Rusty Shield Bearer, Rusty-shield Tree, 盾柱木, 黄盾柱木, 双翼豆, 翼果盾柱木