' BUTEA FRONDOSA. Roxb. Bastard teak.
Erythrina monosperma, Lam.
Pulasa ; Kinaka, . BENG. Chucbra Pla, . PANJ.
Pouk-pm ; Pouk- Kinsuka, . . . SANSK.
nway, . . . . Bumf. Kalu-kmla, . . SINGII.
Mootr, Ch'hiul, . CAN. Porasa maram, . TAM. Pulas, . . . . ENG. Moduga cbettn, . TEL. Dhak, . HIND. Kimsukamu, . .
This tree grows in most parts of British India and Ceylon. It covered the battlefield on which Clive defeated Suraj-ud-Dowla, which in history is known as the battle of Plassey. When left to nature it attains a good size, but it is much cut for firewood, and its roots cut for fibre to make ropes with, and it is generally seen gnarled and bushy.. In April its large clusters of deep orange-coloured flowers, called teso, also kisu, attract attention. An infusion of the flowers of this and also of B. superba, dye cotton, previously prepared with alum, a bright yellow, which may be changed by an alkali into deep reddish orange. The lac
insect is frequently found on the smaller branches. Its wood resembles teak in appearance, and is used for gunpowder charcoal, well curbs, and for building purposes. The leaves are sold to shop-. keepers in the bazars for the purpose of wrap ping small articles in them instead of paper. From the bark of the root a very strong fibre is prepared. The root is cut into lengths of from two to four feet, and the bark peeled off, dried, and beaten by handfuls with, a wooden mallet. It is used for caulking boats, and making ropes and cables for anchoring boats. The flowers are offered by the Ho to their god Desauli Bonga. Its gum, of a deep red colour, is known in commerce as the Butea kino and Indian kino, the Palas gond or Dhak ka gond.