Copper pod (Peltophorum pterocarpum)

Peltophorum pterocarpum, copper pod, is a fast-growing avenue tree that covers itself in fragrant yellow flowers in the hot season and then in clusters of flat, rust-red pods. It is one of the most common shade trees on Indian city roads, from Chennai to Bengaluru and Pune. In Java its bark gave a brown dye for batik.

Botanical name: Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex K.Heyne
Family: Fabaceae
Tamil: Iyalvagai
Hindi: Peela gulmohar
Parts used: Flowers (avenue)
Habit: Yellow avenue pea; konrai is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Copper pod

It is a medium to large tree with a broad, spreading crown and dark green, feathery, twice-pinnate leaves of small oval leaflets.

Bright yellow, crinkled, five-petalled flowers grow in large upright clusters above the leaves, with a faint grape-like scent.

The pods are flat, thin and winged along both edges, starting copper-red and fading to brown — the name pterocarpum means “winged fruit”.

Gulmohar, Delonix regia, has scarlet flowers and long, woody pods. Indian laburnum, Cassia fistula, has hanging chains of yellow flowers.

Traditional use of Copper pod

City planting

It has been planted along Indian roads and in parks for decades because it grows fast and gives dense shade.

Indian urban planting

Dye

In Indonesia the bark was used to make soga, a brown dye for batik.

Javanese batik tradition

Modern notes on Copper pod

Urban foresters note that it is shallow-rooted and its branches break easily, so mature trees fall in storms more often than many others.

Its flowers feed bees and other insects in the hot season, when few other trees are in bloom.

Copper pod safety

There is no food or medical use. Old roadside trees should be checked for weak limbs before the monsoon.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands, Southeast Asia and northern Australia.

In India it is planted, and it seeds readily into vacant plots and roadsides.

Its dense shade and leaf litter can suppress plants beneath it.

Related plants

Also in Fabaceae

Questions about Copper pod

Is Copper pod gulmohar?

No. Gulmohar has red flowers. Copper pod is sometimes called yellow gulmohar.

Why copper pod?

Its young pods are copper-red.

Is Copper pod a good street tree?

It gives fast shade but has brittle branches.

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.