Common Name: Copper pod, Rusty shield bearer. Tamil Name: Ivalvagai
Copper pod is perhaps one of the most sought after avenue trees in India. This tree is native to South-Asian region and bears handsome yellow flowers. The tree has bipinnate leaves. The leaves arranged alternatively and the leaflets in opposite manner. The leaflet is near sessile and measurer around 1.3 cm; they are oblong-elliptical in shape; base rather oblique and tip rounded. The young branches are tomentose and have a rusty appearance. The inflorescence is in the form of a terminal or axillary panicle. The flower stalk and flower measure around 1 cm and 1.5 cm respectively. The calyx is rusty in color with insides having yellow color. The petals appear crumpled and are yellow in color. The flower encloses 10 stamens. The fruit is in the form of a pod (9 cm in length) which is woody and rusty-copper colored. The pod encloses 3-4 seeds (1.2 cm in length) which are oblong in shape and grey in color. This tree pod has chemicals that inhibit the growth of other nearby plants. Copper pod is used as an avenue tree and also extensively deployed in urban greening programs.
