Flame of the forest
Butea monosperma
A tree with vivid orange-red flowers, sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions
Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma) is a small deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia. Its bright orange-red flowers bloom in late winter to early spring, covering leafless branches. The tree is valued for its dye, resin, and role in Hindu and Buddhist rituals, and is the state flower of Jharkhand, India.
- Blooms with bright orange-red flowers from February to April
- Used for natural dyes, especially during Holi festival
- Sacred in Hindu and Buddhist rituals
- Host tree for lac insects that produce shellac
- Leaves traditionally used to make plates and bowls
What does Flame of the forest look like?
Flame of the forest is a small, dry-season deciduous tree reaching up to 15 meters tall. It loses its leaves before flowering, so its branches are often covered only in clusters of vivid orange-red flowers. Each flower is about 2.5 cm long, shaped with five petals, two wings, and a curved keel. The tree produces long pods after flowering. The leaves are large, with three leaflets per stem.
Where does Flame of the forest come from?
Butea monosperma is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, and neighboring countries. Historically, it was abundant in areas like Bihar, Jharkhand, and the Doaba region of India. Its forests were cleared in the 19th century for agriculture. The tree has been revered for centuries and is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts.
When and how Flame of the forest blooms
The tree flowers from February to April, but not every year—weather conditions can affect blooming. It prefers dry climates and is slow-growing. Farmers often plant it along field edges to help prevent soil erosion. The tree is grown from seed and thrives in tropical and sub-tropical soils. Its leaves, wood, and flowers are harvested for various uses.
How Flame of the forest is used
People use the tree for its wood, resin, leaves, and flowers. The wood is used for tools and ritual objects, while the leaves are made into plates. The flowers provide a natural dye for Holi and for silk, and are also used in drinks and traditional medicine. The tree is important in Hindu and Buddhist rituals, and is the state flower of Jharkhand.
Kinds of Flame of the forest
The tree is known by many names across regions: palash in Hindi, dhak in Punjabi, and moduga chettu in Telugu. In Kerala, it is called plasu or chamata. Its flowers are celebrated in poetry and local festivals, and the tree is a key host for the lac bug, which produces shellac.
What Flame of the forest means
Flame of the forest is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, linked to fire rituals and spring festivals. It is a symbol of spring in Indian literature and art, especially in Bengal and Jharkhand. Its flowers are used in Holi celebrations and in worship of Shiva. The tree appears in ancient texts and modern stories, and is a state emblem in Jharkhand.
Days and festivals
Questions people ask about Flame of the forest
Where does the flame of the forest come from?
Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma) is native to tropical and sub-tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, and neighboring countries.
What does the flame of the forest look like?
It is a small deciduous tree, up to 15 meters tall, with clusters of bright orange-red flowers that bloom on leafless branches in late winter and early spring.
What is the flame of the forest used for?
Its flowers are used for dyeing fabric and making Holi colors, its wood for tools and rituals, its leaves for plates, and its resin in leather work and traditional medicine.
Is the flame of the forest important in any religion?
Yes, it is sacred in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, used in fire rituals and spring festivals like Holi and Shivaratri.
Is any part of the tree toxic?
Yes, the seed oil and flower sap contain substances considered poisonous, and their consumption may cause dizziness, headache, and low blood pressure.
Good reading and sources
- Flame that coolsDown To Earth, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Butea monosperma on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Butea monosperma", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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