Rare tree spotted near Nashik

Here is some good news for environmentalists and nature enthusiasts. An extremely rare variety of Gulmohar, Colvilles Glory (Colvillea Racemosa), has been spotted in full bloom near Nashik.

Noted environmentalist and president of Hariyali, a Thane-based NGO, Punam Singhvi, recently spotted two of them along National Highway number 3, in the Ozar-Pimpalgaon stretch.

“The beautiful tree, called Kilbil in Marathi, is originally from Madagascar, and is on the verge of extinction,” Singhvi said, adding, “Both were in full bloom when I spotted them on October 9. The future of these trees is bleak as this section of the highway will be widened in the near future,” Singhvi said.

It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that the seeds of the trees, which are in the formation stage and are likely to be mature by November end, be collected and sown for growing into saplings for propagation, he said.

“Two more such trees are said to be in Jijamata Udyan in Mumbai and the Botanical Garden in Kolkata. “In my 60 years as an environmentalist, I haven’t come across this tree anywhere. Apart from being beautiful, Kilbil also attracts birds, bees and butterflies,” Singhvi said.

The tree grows as tall as a Gulmohur, around 30-50 feet, bears large pinnate leaves and cone shaped clusters of bright orange-saffron coloured flowers, which are bright red as buds. Its genus is named after Sir Charles Colville, a former Governor of Mauritius.