Chicken Tree is a tree in the spurge family that
typically reaches a maximum height of 15 m. The simple, deciduous
leaves are alternate, broad rhombic to ovate in shape and have smooth
edges, heart shaped and sometimes with an extended tail often
resembling the Peepal tree. The leaves are bright green in color and
slightly paler underneath. The tree is monoecious, producing male and
female flowers on the same plant. At bloom it produces clusters of
greenish-yellow and white flowers. The flowers occur in spike-like
inflorescences up to 20 cm long, at abranch ends. Light green in color,
these flowers are very conspicuous in the spring. Each female flower is
solitary and has a three-lobed ovary, three styles, and no petals. They
are located on short branches at the base of the spike. The male
flowers occur in clusters at the upper nodes of the inflorescence.
Fruits are three-lobed, three-valved capsules. As the capsules mature,
their color changes from green to a brown-black. The capsule walls fall
away and release three globose seeds with a white, tallow-containing
covering. Seeds usually hang on the plants for several weeks. The tree
is found throughout the southern United States. It is cultivated in
parts of India.
Identification credit: Gurcharan Singh
Photographed in Srinagar, Kashmir & Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh.
• Is this flower misidentified?
If yes,
Your name: Your email: Your comments
The flower labeled Chicken Tree is ...