This spring there are flowers in full bloom. In Sanskrit it is known as ‘Kingshuk’ and in Manipuri as ‘Pang Gong’. Palash is a medium sized deciduous tree. Palash trees are found almost everywhere in Bangladesh. In Bhawal National Park, on the side of Dhaka-Mymensingh road, in the eastern part of Bangabandhu Bridge, many palm trees can be seen. I took the picture on March 5 from the north side of the memorial of Bangladesh Agricultural University.

Palash trees are up to 15 meters high. In winter the leaves of the tree fall off. Flowers bloom in spring. Apart from the beautiful red, yellow and reddish orange palash flowers are also seen. Basically, when the trees lose their leaves at the end of spring, nature becomes intoxicated with its own rhythm and this bright red or dark orange blossoms.

Palash can be seen blooming here and there in leafless trees. It looks like a sack that encloses with a drawstring. Its bark is gray. Branches and stems are crooked. The new leaves are as delicate as silk. The dark green leaves are trifoliate, much like the leaves of a mandarin tree but large in size. The fruit of Palash looks a lot like beans. Seedlings grow easily from seeds. Leads too fast.

Palash has many medicinal properties. Used in cases of body acne, scorpion bites, stomach problems, worm infestation etc. At one time a strong rope was made from the roots of the palm tree. The dish was made of palash leaves. Fuchka or Panipuri is still sold in small palashpata bowls in different parts of India, including Kolkata.