Common Name: Fiddlewood. Tamil Name: Parijatham
Fiddlewood is a medium sized tree and native to America. The tree grows to a height of about 14 meters. Often planted in Tamilnadu as an ornamental avenue tree. The branches are held close to the central trunk and young shoots are lenticulate. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite and decussate manner; leaf margin is slightly dentate. The leaf stalk (seen with streaks of orange color) and leaf measure around 1.5 cm and 12.5 cm respectively. The leaves are ovate-elliptic in shape with a acute tip and a cuneate base. The inflorescence is in the form of terminal or an axillary raceme; the inflorescence is pendulous and the flower open facing downward. The tubular flowers are very fragrant and have five white colored petals. The flower tube measurers around 5 mm and the flower measurers 9 mm across. The calyx is five-teethed, green in color and measure around 3 mm. The flower encloses 4 stamens and a single style. The fruit is in the form of a two seeded drupe. The plant propagates via seeds and root eruptions. The nectar-rich flowers are much sort after by insects and butterflies.
