The ‘cannonball tree’ is one that can be spotted all over Bangalore. The tree gets its name from its fruit, round and hard and thick-skinned, akin to a cannonball.
The scientific name of the tree is Couroupita guianensis, while ‘cannonball tree’ is its popular name. Some people also call it the ‘Shiva Linga tree’.
Standing below this tree can be a risky business, for obvious reasons – so one should steer clear of them. Unless, of course, one is taking photographs of the tree. 🙂
The ‘cannonballs’ burst when they are ripe, I am assuming, and out comes a shoot bearing a number of buds.
The buds open in time to reveal a uniquely shaped, pink flower, the shape of which gives the tree its popular name of ‘Shiva Linga tree’.
Wikipedia tells me that each of these flowers has exactly six petals, no more and no less. Now, if that is not a miracle of God, tell me what is.
Have you seen this tree or smelled its flowers any time? If you haven’t, well,….. maybe it’s time to stop and take notice! 🙂
The Girl Next Door 
The Shiva Lingam shape is visible at the centre of the flower and the snake shaped pollen is the speciality of this flower
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@Bindu
Yes, I am aware of the Shiva Lingam, but not about the snake-shaped pollen. Have got to look closely at these flowers again.
Thank you!
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Can u list some places where I can find this tree? I stay in Indira Nagar
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@Aarkay
I know there is a cannonball tree outside Chitrakala Parishad and one near the Police Commissioner’s office on Infantry Road. Don’t know where else you can find these!
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Thank u.. 🙂
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@Aarkay
No issues. 🙂
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why do u not leave like buttons on the posts? any reasons?
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@Zradar
Errr… my posts do have ‘like’ buttons.
And I am a highly technologically-challenged person. I wouldn’t know how to add or remove them. 🙂
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Heard about this tree for the first time 🙂 what lovely flower!!!
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@Scribby
🙂
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woww..so beautifully captured!!! I have seen these flowers but not the tree!!!
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@Summerscript
Thank you! 🙂
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I’ve never heard of this tree before–it’s completely new to me! (I hope you’re labeling all your tree posts: umbrella, cannonball, etc..)
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@Suko
I’m glad you’re learning something new to you! 🙂
I have been grouping all these posts under ‘Nature’. I haven’t been separately tagging each post by the name of that particular tree, if that is what you mean…
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Such a beautiful tree!
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@Double Inverted Commas
Isn’t it?
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You have a wonderful eye I must say, to look out for such beautiful flowers. There is a very pretty violet coloured flower blooming just two houses away from mine. Looks that one and this one are distant cousins
P.S Did you study Botany 😛 😛 😛
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@Visha
Thank you! 🙂
I haven’t seen violet-coloured flowers in bloom of late! Please do post pics!
No, I didn’t study Botany. Science scared me to death. 😦
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Hehe..good that you escaped studying…coz nature is teaching you well 😛
Oh really, in that case I’ll post its pics very soon. They are so pretty that we keep them in the pooja room 🙂
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what is this tree ?? http://thevampirespeaks.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/a-sight-indeed/
I have seen this in Jayanagar area
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@Vethal
I don’t know what that is called. Will try to google a bit and find out. 🙂
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Wow! You get to see quite interesting things! I am lucky to have found you(as I get to know about so many unique things) 🙂
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@Confused D
Interesting things are there all over us, wherever we are. We just have to open our eyes and look at them. 🙂
There I said that, at the risk of sounding like a gyaani aatma. 😀
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Another interesting tree. Don’t remember seeing anything like this here. But will keep my eyes and nose alert for this one now 🙂
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@Lifesong
Sure! 🙂
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Yay! I found one of these here 🙂 Thanks for all the info about this tree 🙂
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@Lifesong
You are most welcome! 🙂
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Wow! I have no clue about this tree..kuch nahi toh your blog is sure making me a botany expert *Looks smug and wonders how to show off to R on how smart her mom is*
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@R’s Mom
LOL
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