Come February and the treeline in Delhi is decorated with the orange, scarlet coral and a few yellow signature flowers of the stately ‘Semal’ or Bombax, Indian Kapok or Shalmali. Standing tall at over 60 feet, the Semal is seen along the Shanti Path, Aurobindo Marg, Ring Road and almost all over Delhi and Northern India. It's a feast to the eyes when you drive on the flyovers which are close to the Semal tree as one gets a balcony view of the bright flowers in bloom. Its 5 to 7 leaves spread like the fingers of our palm thin out in January to make way for the flowers and new leaves can be seen in March. The fleshy cup shaped flowers with 5 petals attract a variety of pollinators. The tree is abuzz with butterflies, bees and insects besides squirrels, monkeys and bats. Numerous birds can be seen enjoying the flowers, some for its nectar, some for its buds or petals and seeds, others come to forage on the buzzing and the crawling insects which enjoy the nectar. It .is exciting to see diverse birds on one tree, like the oriental white-eye, parakeets, barbets, bulbuls, petronias,sparrows, finches, sun-,birds, jungle babblers,orioles and hornbills besides the common mynahs, yellow- footed green pigeons, bats and even the occasional peafowl. It's a favourite of them all! Once the flower dries or falls, the ants, squirrels and almost all forest animals feast on them. Semal, like many other trees, is a giver of life, a veritable ecosystem in itself. When in leaf a lot many birds make nests and roost in its crown which gives them protection. No wonder it is often alluded to as a ‘One Tree wildlife Sanctuary’ in itself.
The tree has a spiny trunk to protect itself. Its fruit that looks like a woody capsule starts to ripen and split open in May and the famed ‘Semal Cotton’ with its tiny black seed is seen floating all over; dispersing and looking for a place to germinate. As kids we all would remember trying to catch and collect the 'budi mai ka baal'. The very soft cotton is used for filling pillows and quilts. The flowers are used for the exotic Semal tea,the gum from the tree, roots, leaves and bark find medicinal use!! With its bright colours and swirling birds and butterflies, it inspires the Spirit of spring in Northern India.
----Shobita Asthana.
