The Kydia (Kydia Calycina/वारंग, वरंग, रानभेंडी) is rapidly growing,
deciduous tree. This beautiful tree flowers when very few native trees are in
bloom, that is after rains. And after flowering season also, it continues to
look attractive for many months while it’s the rusty fruit ripen and dry out.
The tree flowers profusely with small flowers which occur in
axillary or terminal panicles. Flowers are fragrant and creamish white, greenish
white or pink coloured which itself is a delight to watch.
Kydia grows on wide range of habitats, including arid
regions. It is often grown as an ornamental species. It is a small to moderate
sized deciduous tree. Though deciduous, one may hardly notice a leaf-less tree.
Dark green foliage is present throughout the year giving dense shade. The leaf
blade is nearly round, usually palmate 3-5-lobed. 
It is propagated by seeds, root suckers or cuttings. It
coppices well. Leaves can be used as fodder. The wood is used as fuel and for making charcoal.
The tree is valued for the leaves which are lopped for fodder. In the wild,
leaves are eaten by the elephants, sambar, deer and bison. The wood is a good
source of commercial potash. The young bark is mucilaginous and cold infusion
of it is used for clarifying sugarcane juice. The tree is harvested from the
wild for its fibre, which is used locally to make coarse ropes. Due to profuse
flowering, Kydia flowers during September-October. It attracts number of bees,
butterflies, insects and birds during this period having a significant role to play in
Apiculture. Bees visiting the tree tend to produce thick and sweet honey.
Medicinally, the parts of Kydia tree are known to have the
analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often utilised as shade tree
or windbreak. The
tree is also valued for erosion control. Being such a spectacular tree, it should be planted in gardens,
along the roads and societies due its ornamental properties.
What a beauty!
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