Leaves : Alternate, oblong, oblanceolate, entire, glabrous, nerves prominent, up to 30 cm long.
Inflorescence : Racemes produced from the upper part of the trunk or from the main branches.
Flowers :
Large, pleasing combination of rose-pink, white and yellow colours, arranged in long racemes.
Calyx turbinate.
Petals 6, unequal, concave, pink inside but with a mixture of white, yellow and pink outside.
Fertile stamens numerous, monadelphous, arranged on a band that arise from the base of the ovary and bends over it like a hood so that the anthers press down on the ovary.
Some abortive stamens (staminodes) also present at the base of the band, surrounds the ovary. This structure looks like a hooded snake sheltering the Shivalinga.
Hence, the tree is also called Snake-Flower tree.
Fruit : Remarkably large berry and round, with a brown hard shell, containing pulp, about the size of a man's head, up to 25 cm in diameter.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : January onwards
Significance :
Occassionally grown in the gardens for the peculiar flowers and fruits.
Also planted in parks around temple and along roads.
