Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex Heyne 

ചരക്കൊന്ന

Family : Leguminosae (Caesalpinioideae)

Synonym : Inga pterocarpa DC.

Common Names : Charakonna, Copper pod tree, Yellow flame tree

Flowering Period : Throughout the year

Distribution : Native of Sri Lanka, Malaya Peninsula and North Australia

Habitat : Planted as ornamental avenue tree

Uses : Avenue plant, ornamental. In traditional medicine it is used as an astringent to cure or relieve intestinal disorders after pain at childbirth, sprains, bruises and swelling or as a lotion for eye troubles, muscular pains and sores.

Key Characters :

Trees with young parts brown tomentulose. Leaves bipinnate, alternate, pulvinate; pinnae 10-12 pairs, opposite, margin entire. Flowers bisexual, golden yellow, in terminal or lateral racemose panicles; calyx lobes 5, ovate; petals 5, subequal, crinkled; stamens 10, filaments free; ovary half inferior; stigma peltate. Fruit a pod.