My trips to wildlife sanctuaries have always been full of stories of tigers, amazing birds, and even insects, like the Signature spider, that leave a signature-like mark on its web!
But my last trip to Ranthambore, left me awestruck by a tree, growing amidst huge rocks, in a barren part of the Ranthambore forest, which our safari guide described as the “Ghost Tree”! As we stared at its bony, white, leafless trunk, with peeling skin, he told us tales of its glowing in the dark at night! It was winter time and the tree’s bare branches sent my imagination rolling… of it standing tall and white, in the night with arms spread out like a ghost! And hence the name, Ghost tree, common name…Kulu… scientific name…Sterculia urens.
I couldn’t wait to possess one. Even though my heart pined for it, I couldn’t find one to bring home. I delved deeper to learn about this magnificent tree. It thrives well in Central India’s dry jungles. The leaves are 3 lobed and very large. They are deeply heart shaped at the base and shiny and smooth. The khaki coloured flowers are borne in clusters. The fruit is bright maroon, star shaped and full of bristles. Monkeys love the seeds and raid the fruit as soon as the follicles burst open.
Kulu is the source of gum karaya, which is used to make lubricants and laxatives. The gum also has uses in confectionary and ice cream making.
It was not long before my dream came true. With temperatures soaring here, I was determined this year, to plant native trees wherever possible. I explored various nurseries and what should I behold in one of them? My favourite Ghost tree saplings!! I bought 2 of these and have planted them in the Sehgal market 2 park (adjacent to the main park), which are now being nurtured with great love and should be tall and handsome in 2 years!
I challenge you…to look at its leaves and go and identify it, in the park mentioned. I promise you an upsurge of great joy!
