I have been writing on
nature watch and trees in this Blog-and also other docs. inc FB, but I have never used
such an unusual title and readers may be wondering what is behind it.
Here are
the facts:
"Thespesia" in botany and -Poovarasu in Tamil and Malayalam has an interesting name in English – the Portia tree. I
was amazed at the name and the idea came from a recent tree watch experience. Last week I had posted a note on my morning
walk covering the delightful scene of watching squirrels, mynas, babblers, crows;
I forgot to mention two mongooses too. Obviously, a mother and a tiny one all
coming from the vast Adyar estaury - sanctuary and feeding at the base of 3 trees in the neighbouring vacant plot. It was a
nice sight to behold and I was wondering what actually the 3 trees offered viz.,
Thespesia, Neem and the third one is still yet to be identified as it is
difficult to connect some local trees.
The study took me across to
the horticulture dept of Chennai with the assistance of my Lab
Staff. In fact the PORTIA
-aka Thespesia tree was identified when I had taken leaf samples with a
few berries for study by an officer of the State Govt. Dept of Horticutural who
was very kind enough to also provide a handout sheet. Learnt so much today
It is a matter of interest
that some of these trees of India are seen in far and distant lands viz.
Pacific Islands and in particular Hawaii - Tahiti and
PitCairn Island where it was in fact planted in
sacred groves. In these Pacific islands it is
called the Milo tree and valued for the wood but sadly
over-logged and now depleted.The wood was used for boat
building by islanders and even more surprisingly for making drums earlier.
Essentially the tree is grown and
used for shade in earlier times and regrettably much of the pacific island trees
were lost in over logging. On the Pit Cairn
Island, the wood was used
for making curios also.
Surprises:
In Chennai it is used to
make a Thavil – Carnatic music drum and really left me wondering.
Again another interesting
point is in Sri
Lanka, the flowers of the Portia tree is sold on
Remembrance Day to aid ex-servicemen.
Coming back to the open air
café for Birds , it was a joy to watch from the 5th floor terrace of Shanthi
Apts. Adjacent to my house, behind a corner flat and partly hidden. The photos
are taken are at a very close range from the 5th Floor (Terrace). The tree is
actually in the corner of a group of flats and the fruit and flower are only
seen at the higher levels. Unless one goes very close it is not likely to be
seen as the height of the tree has crossed 4 floors.
The fruit of the tree
resemble tiny figs but are not suited for human consumption and is considered to
be toxic to mammals and humans but obviously birds are able to digest this. (I
am still studying this as the 3rd tree in the vicinity with black dry
berries) are all strewn on the ground and along with neem fruits and tender
shoots and flowers provide food for birds both on the ground and on the tree
top.
A wonderful experience in tree
watch and I never thought a simple study in the morning would take me across to
several parts of the globe up to the Pacific islands ....by just observing a
tree.
Marvels of Nature
continued-
rgds,
TR
