CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

COPPERPOD

(Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC))

Botanical name	: Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC)
Synonym	: Peltophorum ferrugineum (Benth)
Vernacular name	: copper-pod/ yellow flame tree
Family	: Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae)
About the Tree	: Peltophorum pterocarpum is a very showy flowering ,deciduous tree with wide-spreading branches that form an umbrella-like crown .The copper-pod is originating in India and South East Asia ,Is a native of Sri Lanka, the Andaman, the Malay peninsula and North Australia,
Height	: 15 -24 m
Bark	: Bark smooth, grey
Leaf	: The leaves are bi pinnate (twice compound), large, 30-60 cm long, with 8-10 pairs of pinnae each bearing 10- 20 pairs of oblong leaflets 0.8-2.5 cm long.
Flower	: Flowers orange-yellow, each about 2.5 cm in diameter, fragrant particularly at night; inflorescence brown-tomatoes, panicles terminal With rust-coloured bud The fragrant flowers are clustered on upright stems about 18" long. Each flower is about an inch and a half across with translucent yellow, crinkled petals. The flowers have conspicuous orange stamens and each petal has a reddish brown mark in the center.
Fruits	: Fruits 1-4 seeded pods, flat, thin, winged, 5-10 cm long, dark red when ripe, then turning black, which remain on the tree until the next flowering season.
Season	: Flowering occurs from March-May, although sporadic flowering may occur throughout the year (particularly in young trees), and a second flush of flowers may occur in September-November.
Medicinal Properties Peculiar Character	: Bark is used for dysentery, tooth powder, eye lotion, and sores. : Yellow flowers and copper colored pods