Spring-kissed Museum is a sight to watch at this time of the year with the spread of floral radiance on the premises enticing many to stop, stand and stare in awe.
If the light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers standing out against the green canopy on the premises do not capture one’s attention, the floral carpet on the ground is surely bound to. Morning walkers or regular visitors to the Museum will likely know that the pink flowers in question belong to the Tabebuia, of the Bignoniaceae family.
Situated near the Museum gate adjacent to the Museum police station, the Tabebuia rosea on the premises has been in full bloom for a few days now, but the phenomena will not last long, says G.R. Rajagopal, Garden Superintendent at the Museum. The tree, which was planted in 1960s, comes into full bloom this time of the year.
Changing colours
There are other Tabebuia trees too on the premises such as Tabebuia spectabilis, K. Raveendran, former director of the Department of Museum and Zoos says. The colour of the flower also changes accordingly. Tabebuia are also found on the Kanakakkunnu premises, he says.
Flowering profusely near the ticket counter on the premises is a vine belonging to the family Bignonia unguis-cati.
The hundreds of small pale yellow flowers look stunning. Popularly knows as Cat’s claw creeper, the hooked tendrils on the creeper take on the shape of cat’s claws to enable it to attach itself to trees and other surfaces.
Flowers alone are not the only things that are lending the Museum garden a different colour. As summer advances, leaves on some trees are changing colour and falling out. A rubber tree, a favourite haunt of people looking for shade, looks more brown than green. Over a 100 years old, the tree was brought from Sri Lanka during the reign of Uthram Thirunal. It was among the first trees to be planted when rubber trees were imported into the State, and occupies an important place among rubber trees in the State.
The canopy may give the impression that it is not a rubber tree, but that is because it is not a hybrid and has been left undisturbed and not trimmed or tapped, Mr. Raveendran says. Other trees that are changing colour include mahogany and ‘thanni.’
The cannonball tree, known as Nagalingam here, is yet another tree whose flowers make for an interesting sight. Other than at the garden, the tree is also found inside the zoo.
