Trees Bees Use

Pterolobium hexapetalum is a major source of nectar and pollen for the honey bees Apis dorsata, Apis cerana and Apis florea. Trigona sp also forage on the flowers, but Apis dorsata is the predominant forager. The honey harvested from Apis dorsata colonies is very sweet, slightly watery and has a pleasant aroma.

Pterolobium hexapatalum

Caesalpinaceae

In Tamil language Karuindu, Telugu language Walekadula

Pterolobium hexapetalum is indigenously named as Bhoca in the Nilgiris by the Irula community. Bhoca originates from the foot hills (Mettupalayam) up to the hills (Kotagiri). During March and April you can see the profuse, mass flowering of Bhoca, like a floral mat laid on the tree canopies. It is a characteristic species of dry deciduous forest in this part of South India.

Spherical, tricolporate (see below)

Pterolobium hexapetalum is an extensive straggler, with long, arching branches.

Leaves - compound, leaflets oblongoblanceolate

Flowers - in axillary or terminal racemes, yellowish white colour

Pod - samaroid, oblong, apically winged red pod

Seeds - solitary at base, obovoid