Sausage tree #ThursdayTreeLove

This pic was taken in Lalabagh, Bangalore which has plenty of tree collection and a day is not enough to learn each corner of the park. Each visit gives you new information if you have inquisitive mind else it looks like other park with big area to roam and enjoy. This tree is new for me and looked so special with long cylindrical heavy fruit hanging from top of the tree. I learnt the name of the tree from information board which I was never heard off. The actual name is “Kigelia” which is native to tropical Africa. It is also commonly known as sausage tree or cucumber tree referring to the long sausage like fruit it bears.

Some facts which learnt after research are;
– Unripe fruit is poisonous to human
– It can be consumed after drying the ripen fruit
– It bears bell shaped orange flower with intense unpleasant scent.
– Seeds are dried and roasted to consume as it got medicinal value, energy rich and contain essential fatty acids
– Even leaves are edible like we use Spinach. Leaves contains calcium, magnesium, and iron.
– These are famous tree to plant along street as its dense foliage provides shade.
– Fruit is also used to prepare alcohol beverages

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Tree#15

Joining Parul for #ThursdayTreeLove – is a photo feature hosted on 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month by her.