Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba): colours, meaning, where it grows and when it blooms

Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba) is a tall, fast-growing evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its sweetly scented, orange globe-shaped flower clusters. Its flowers are used in perfumes, and the tree is important in Indian religious traditions, grown for shade, timber, and paper.

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Kadamba trees can grow up to 45 meters tall
Its orange globe-shaped flowers are sweetly fragrant
Flowers are used to make attar, a traditional Indian perfume
The tree is linked to Hindu and Buddhist religious stories
Kadamba is celebrated in festivals like Karam-Kadamba and Kadambotsava

What does Kadamba look like?

Kadamba is a large, evergreen tree that can reach up to 45 meters in height, with a broad crown and straight trunk. Its leaves are broad and glossy, measuring 13–32 cm long. The tree produces dense, globe-shaped flower heads about 5.5 cm across, with sweetly fragrant, orange to red flowers. The fruit forms a yellow-orange cluster packed with thousands of tiny seeds. The sapwood is creamy yellow, and the tree is known for its rapid growth and spreading branches.

Where does Kadamba come from?

Kadamba grows wild across South and Southeast Asia, including India, China, Myanmar, and neighboring countries. The genus name honors the French naturalist Lamarck. The tree has a complex naming history, with its scientific name debated for decades. It was once called Anthocephalus chinensis, but most sources now accept Neolamarckia cadamba. The tree has been planted widely for shade and reforestation in tropical regions.

When and how Kadamba blooms

Kadamba trees begin flowering at 4–5 years old, usually during the monsoon season. They thrive in tropical climates and are often planted along roadsides and in villages. The tree grows quickly, especially in its early years, and is valued for its shade and ornamental flowers. Kadamba is also used in reforestation and soil improvement, as its leaf litter enriches the ground.

Kadamb Neolamarckia cadamba in Kolkata , West Bengal , India .. Photo: J.M.Garg, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Kadamba is used

Kadamba flowers are used to make attar, a traditional Indian perfume. The tree is grown for shade, timber, and paper, and its leaves are fed to cattle. Its fruit is eaten raw in parts of northern India, described as fragrant, sweet, and tangy. Kadamba is important in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, linked to festivals and temple rituals, and is the emblem of some regions and communities.

Kinds of Kadamba

The name 'kadamba' has sometimes been used for other species, such as those in the Stephegyne genus, leading to confusion in poetry and tradition. The tree is also known by several English and local names, including burflower-tree and Leichhardt pine. Some regional festivals and customs center on the kadamba, with local variations in how it is honored or used.

What Kadamba means

Kadamba is deeply woven into Indian culture and religion. It is associated with Krishna and Parvati in Hinduism and is mentioned in ancient texts and poetry. The tree is worshipped during festivals like Karam-Kadamba and Kadambotsava, and is the emblem of the former Athmallik State. In Buddhism, it is linked to the enlightenment of Sumedha Buddha. Its flowers symbolize longing and the arrival of the monsoon in classical poetry.

Days and festivals

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Questions people ask about Kadamba

Where does the kadamba tree come from?

Kadamba is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, China, Myanmar, and neighboring countries. It grows wild in tropical regions and is widely planted for shade and reforestation.

What does the kadamba flower look and smell like?

The kadamba flower forms dense, globe-shaped heads about 5.5 cm across, with orange to red petals. The flowers are sweetly and strongly fragrant.

How is the kadamba tree used?

Kadamba is grown for its fragrant flowers, which are used in perfume. The tree provides shade, timber, and paper, and its fruit is eaten in some regions. It is also important in religious rituals and festivals.

What does the kadamba tree symbolize?

Kadamba is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, associated with Krishna, Parvati, and enlightenment. It symbolizes longing, the monsoon, and is the emblem of some regions and communities.

Is the kadamba fruit edible?

Yes, the fruit is edible and is eaten raw in northern India. It is described as fragrant, sweet, and tangy.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Neolamarckia cadamba", 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.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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Tulip: John O'Neill, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

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Pomegranate: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source

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