Bengal Kino

Butea monosperma

Native to:
Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Butea
Species:
Butea monosperma
USDA Symbol:
BUMO5

Growth Characteristics

Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
feb,mar,apr
Bloom Colors:
orange, red

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees, butterflies
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from the base after fire. Well-adapted to fire-prone dry deciduous forest ecosystems where periodic burning is common.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
poor, sandy, well-drained soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in degraded and nutrient-poor soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
7–21 days
Notes:
Scarification of the hard seed coat significantly improves germination rates. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions after treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI