Kailashpati, Cannon-ball Tree - Plant

Botanically known as Couroupita guianensis, Leaves are oblong, obovate, elliptic, or broadly lanceolate. Inflorescence a raceme, to 70 cm long, terminal, and axillary, borne on branches and trunk. Flowers are showy, fragrant, fleshy, red or rosy purple. Fruits globose, 15 to 20 cm, hard outside, pulpy inside, reddish brown in color.

The fruits of this plant are spherical, giving the common name Cannonball tree. An interesting feature of this tree are the large brightly coloured flowers with strong and sweet scented smell. They are orange, scarlet or pink in colored, growing from stalks sprouting from the tree trunk. Another peculiar thing about the flower is that they have no nectar within them. This tree is considered to be sacred because the petals resemble the hood of the Naga, a sacred snake protecting the Shiva Lingam - the stigma. It is listed as a rare tree and flower in India. This tree grows up to 15 mtall.