Under the Know Your Tree Series, this time, we cover yet another pair of indigenous and exotic trees commonly found in India.

Peepal

A large indigenous tree, the branches of which spread out in all directions to give a good symmetrical shape to the crown. The leaves have long stalks and are simple, thin and heart-shaped. The apex tapers into long narrow strips. The leaves have wavy margins. The flowers are very small and are located inside the `receptacles' which are hollow and fleshy. People think they are fruit. And the real fruit are small figs that grow in pairs at the base of the leaf stalk. When ripe, they turn purplish in colour. Birds and squirrels feed on the fruit and, in the process, serve in spreading the seeds.

The Peepal tree is common in India. It is considered to be sacred and is worshiped. Lord Buddha attained knowledge under this tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Hence the tree is sacred for the Buddhists too. The Peepal has medicinal value. The leaves serve as good fodder to animals, especially elephants. It is an efficient anti-pollutant plant. It is generally planted near temples, in parks and along road sides. It is a good shade-giving tree. Ancient Peepal trees, over 2000 years old, have been found in our country.

Gul Mohur

`Gul Mohur' is an Indian name -- `Gul' means `rose or flower' and `mor' means peacock in Hindi. And its English name is Mayflower. This exotic tree was originally found on the eastern coast of Madagascar. It was introduced in Mauritius, from where it was brought to India.

This is a large deciduous tree. Its branches spread and grow up to 15 meters in length. It grows fast. The long, compound, bipinnate feathery leaves are very graceful. The tree looks beautiful because of them. The Gul Mohur sheds its leaves from February to March. The crimson-orange flowers appear in clusters when the tree is leafless and drape the entire crown of the bare tree (late March-May and some up to June). The flowers come in different shades of red.

Some trees have orange-red flower sprays while others have scarlet red flowers. The fruit are long flat pods and hang like swords from October. They have hard woody covers and are used as fuel in cities by the poor.The fruit contain numerous hard seeds, which need prior treatment for early germination. The Gulmohur is very popular as an avenue tree. Its roots spread above the surface of the soil. So it should be planted away from buildings.

Surprisingly, the Gul Mohur has completely disappeared from Madagascar and it is listed there as an endangered specie.

Definitions

Many of us like to read about our fast receding flora and fauna and a lot is being said and written about it these days.

But we come across many commonly used words that we don't always understand. So, here's a list of basic terms that are frequently used:

* Environment -- The surroundings in which a living thing exists.

* Biosphere -- All the parts of the earth that make up the living world.

* Ecosystem -- A community and its environment.

* Habitat -- The living place of a species.

* Niche -- The role of a living thing in its environment.

* Territory -- An area claimed by an animal.

* Viviparity -- Reproduction by giving birth to a live young.

* Oviparity -- Reproduction by laying eggs.

* Mutualism -- A symbiotic relationship between two living things in which both partners benefit.

* Commensalism -- A symbiotic relationship between two living things in which one species benefits but, the other neither benefits nor suffers harm.