Sterospermum suaveolens, DC.
(Syn. Bignonia suaveolens)
Common Name :
Telugu Name : Kalagoru, Tadla-pala

General :

Frequently occurs in the forests along Godavari. It is identified by grey bark with light yellow blaze, imparipinnate, 30 to 45 cms long leaves and dark purple crimson flowers. ALthough grows in a variety of soils, it is recommended specifically for plantation in clayey soils.

Flowering :

Flowers in large, trichotonous, viscous-hairy panicles appear along with the new leaves in April to June.

Fruiting :
Fruits mature in March to May.
Morphology of the Fruit / Seed :
Capsule linear, cylindric, 45 cms in length, dark-grey or purple, slightly rough with tubercles, glabrous. Seeds many, deeply notched at the middle, embedded in the notches of the spetum. Seeds possess membranous wing.
Seed Collection and Storage :
The fruits are plucked from the tree before dehiscing and then dried in the sun over a cloth. The fruit dehisces to release the membranous seeds. Looses viability completely after oen year of storage.
Seed Biology :
No. of seeds per Kg.
Germination percentage
Plant percent
Seedlings per Kg. of seed
27,000
70
20
5,400
Pretreatment :
Not required.
Nursery Technique :

Sowing in the nursery is done in April-May. Light porous and sandy soil is better than clayey soil. The seeds are to be lightly covered by a layer of soil. Germination starts after 15 days. The beds are to be watered sparingly.