It’s time of Golden Showers in Goa at the moment – the Copper Pod tree taking a cue of approaching summer are erupting in a huge flush and making its yellow-crowned presence felt where they have been allowed to grow. More often one notices the tree by this nuage jaune sur la terre – the yellow cloud on the earth.
It’s a deciduous tree and grows to 15 – 20 mts in height, but is known to grow much larger. The dainty flowers retain the bright yellow colour even when fallen and also as they dry. The seed pods are translucent coppery-red when young, maturing to copper and finally black – each with up to 4 seeds. The tree flowers copiously in early summer but bears flowers throughout the year, sometimes getting a second flush in September. It has a dense spreading crown and is common as a shade tree in additional to its use as an ornamental avenue tree. The leaves are small and mimosa-like and the seed is winged. It is easily propagated by seeds and the timber is used for cabinet work.
The Copper Pod is a native of tropical Southeast Asia and is found all over the region from India through Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. It’s been introduced to Pakistan, Nigeria, US (Hawaii and Florida), Philippines, etc for purely ornamental reasons. In its natural habitat it is found in the teak forests of Java and along beaches, mangroves and woodlands.
Common name: Copperpod, Golden Flame, Rusty Shield-bearer, Yellow Flamboyant, Yellow Flame
Botanical name: Peltophorum pterocarpum
Family: Caesalpiniaceae (Gulmohar family)
Synonyms: Caesalpinia inermis, Caesalpinia arborea
