Flame of the forest is named as flame of forest because of its flamy appearence during spring season in India. The tree mostly apears in groups in road side foresta and denser forests. It flowers during mid march and early april and apears in bunches on trees with no leaf left on trees. When wind starts blowing it looks like a great fire in the forest due to its colour and gives impression that there is fire and you are looking at its flames


Botanical classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: magnoliopsida
Order: fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Butea
Species: monosperma



In North India dhakulahi is term used for a forest having good number of dhak trees


Common Names:
Flame of the Forest
Dhak
Palas
Bastard Teak
Parrot Tree
Tesu
Porasum or Purasu (Tamil)
Khakda (Gujerati)
Kinshuk(hindi)
Palash (Bengali)
Muttagamara(Kannad)
Plasu camata (malayalam)
Moduga(telugu)

flowers contain much nectar is evidenced by the frequent visits of many species of birds; sunbirds, mynahs and babblers are usually to be seen, hurrying from flower to flower, chattering and twittering. With man, also, the tree is very popular, having numerous uses. From an infusion of the flowers a brilliant colouring matter can be obtained, which may be made into water-paint or into a dye. Cotton, prepared with alum, can be dyed a bright yellow or orange.


Its leaves are used in making plates called pattal and used largly during household functions

It is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. The offering of the palash flowers during Saraswati puja is an essential requirement as per the Bengali customs. Without it, the puja is considered incomplete. The flower is also offered to Goddess Kali.The tree is also sacred to the Buddhists.


The dried flowers are used as a diuretic. The gum obtained from the tree is called Bengal Kino. It contains tannin and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea. The seeds have anti-helminthic properties and are used in the treatment of worms. The wood is soft and durable and is used for making boats.
A yellow dye, obtained from the fresh palash flowers is used during the festival of Holi.

This flower often known as flower of bengal too.

The flower has gathered love and attractions of those with creative mindsets, specialy poets. I remeber one poem by mahadevi verma where i first saw mention of kinshuk

lines were:

झूमा एक ओर रसाल,

काँपा एक ओर बबूल,

फूटा बन अनल के फूल

किंशुक का नया अनुराग!

The flower has an attachment with expression of love. Whenever an author or poet wants to describe a new love or deep love or innocent and soft feelings, he often mentions various names of the flower.