Badminton-ball tree (Parkia biglandulosa)

Parkia biglandulosa is the badminton-ball tree of South Indian avenues, named for the round flower heads that dangle on long stalks like shuttlecocks. It comes from Southeast Asia and was planted widely in Bengaluru and other cities for shade and novelty. It is not the tree bean eaten in the north-east, which is Parkia timoriana.

Botanical name: Parkia biglandulosa Wight & Arn.
Family: Fabaceae
Tamil: Parkia maram
Hindi: Chenduphul
Parts used: None as a first kitchen
Habit: South Indian avenue Parkia; tree bean is P. timoriana
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Badminton-ball tree

The leaves are huge and feathery, twice divided into hundreds of tiny leaflets. The species name refers to the pair of glands on the main leaf stalk.

Flower heads are tight, club-shaped to round balls, cream to orange-brown, hanging on stalks up to half a metre long. They open at dusk and drip nectar.

After flowering, a few long, flat, strap-like pods hang from the old flower head. They are not eaten.

Parkia timoriana, the yongchak of Manipur, has similar flower balls but long green edible pods sold in north-eastern markets.

Traditional use of Badminton-ball tree

City planting

It was planted on avenues and in parks such as Bengaluru’s Lalbagh for its broad canopy and curious flowers. Children know it for the ball-shaped flower heads that litter the ground.

South Indian urban planting

Modern notes on Badminton-ball tree

Parkia flowers are classic bat flowers. They open at night, produce copious nectar and are visited by fruit bats, which pollinate them.

Urban foresters value it for shade, but its large limbs need pruning near roads.

Badminton-ball tree safety

There is no established food use for this species. Do not eat the pods.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to Southeast Asia and planted, not wild, in India. It rarely spreads on its own.

In cities it gives fruit bats a reliable nectar source, so a fruiting avenue at dusk is a good place to watch them.

Related plants

Also in Fabaceae

Questions about Badminton-ball tree

Is Badminton-ball tree the tree bean of Manipur?

No. The edible tree bean is Parkia timoriana.

Why is Badminton-ball tree called the badminton-ball tree?

Its round flower heads hang on long stalks like shuttlecocks.

What older names does Parkia biglandulosa go by?

Parkia pedunculata.

Sources

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.