Porasu, palash in Hindi, is flame of the forest, a dry-country tree that covers its bare branches in brilliant orange-scarlet flowers in February and March. The flowers, called tesu or kesudo, were boiled to make traditional Holi colours, and the leaves are stitched into plates and bowls. Palash is the state flower of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, and the battle of Plassey takes its name from it. Its red gum is sold as Bengal kino.
- Botanical name
- Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Tamil
- Porasu
- Hindi
- Palash
- Sanskrit
- Palāśa
- Parts used
- Flowers, Gum in lists, Seed in lists
- Habit
- Flame-of-the-forest; scarlet spring flowers on bare branches
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Porasu
It is a medium-sized deciduous tree, often crooked, with rough grey bark.
Each leaf has three large, leathery, rounded leaflets.
The flowers are bright orange to scarlet, curved like a parrot’s beak, with velvety black-brown calyces.
They open in dense clusters on leafless branches in late winter and spring.
The pod is flat and papery, with a single seed at the tip, which gives the name monosperma.
Traditional use of Porasu
Festival
Tesu flowers are soaked and boiled to make an orange-yellow colour for Holi.
North Indian festival practice
Household
The leaves are stitched with twigs into pattal plates and dona bowls.
Indian village practice
Farming
It is a host tree for the lac insect, whose resin becomes shellac.
Central Indian farm practice
Modern notes on Porasu
The flowers contain flavonoids such as butein that give the dye its colour.
Its gum, Bengal kino, is rich in tannins.
Leaf plates are being revived as an alternative to plastic disposables.
Porasu safety
Flower dye is a traditional Holi colour. Do not take the seeds by mouth; they were used against worms but can be toxic.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows across dry deciduous forests of India and into South-east Asia.
Sunbirds, mynas, bulbuls and squirrels visit its nectar-rich flowers.
It tolerates poor soil and survives fire.
Related plants
Also in Fabaceae
Questions about Porasu
Why is Porasu called flame of the forest?
Its orange flowers look like fire.
What is tesu?
Its flowers, used for Holi colour.
Is Porasu a state flower?
Yes, of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
What are pattal plates?
Plates stitched from its leaves.
How did Plassey get the Porasu’s name?
From palash trees in the area.
Sources
- Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q942203 (Butea monosperma)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.