Commin name Kydia. Tamil name Pula, Vattakkannu
Kydia is considered as a monotypic genus under malvaceae family and is found around Indian sub-continent. I have seen this tree in lower Nilgiris ghat road, grows to around 8 meters in height. The tree looks glorious when in full bloom with its white flowers, often not noticed because the petals fall off fast. The leafs are simple, alternatively arranged, slightly hairy. The leaf is shallowly lobed into 5 sections. The inflorescence is in the form of a panicles. Flowers are polygamous, white in color with pinkish streaks. The fruit is in the form of a capsule. The fruit along with calyx elements appear in rusty clusters.The plant is much sort after for foraging by forest animals. It is the larval host plant for White branded Ace butterfly.
