The Simsapa tree is breathtakingly beautiful and rides high on socio-cultural significance. As its common name suggests, the tree is native to Myanmar. The tree is named after Lady Sarah Amherst, a British naturalist credited with the discovery of several other species apart from this one.
The claim to beauty by this tree lies in its flowers. Stupendously bright red in shade, they hang down like crimson chandeliers. As is common with the other pea family members, the flowers are asymmetrical, with the one large standard petal being flecked with yellow. The young leaves lack chlorophyll and look pinkish-purple – slowly, as they mature, the green pigment seeps in. This colouration also adds to the tree’s allure.
Unfortunately, as per one report, the tree has not been encountered in the wild since the year 1865*, and may perhaps have disappeared altogether from its natural habitat – it now owes its presence only in artificial gardens.