Careya arborea (कुंभ, कुंभा, कुंभी)

Careya arborea (Kumbh, Kumbha, Kumbhi) is quite a large tree growing in a canopy shape as it matures. It is a deciduous tree. Leaves turn red at the time of leaf shedding, that is as the winter approaches. By March end first week of May the leafless tree bursts in to creamish white flowers borne in clusters on ends of small branches. The mass flowering does spread offensive smell around the tree. Some flowers have pink tinge also.

Its trunk is fissured and is deep brown in colour. Large leaves are borne in a spiral form on ends of small branches. Fruits have shapes similar to earthen water pots (कुंभ), hence the common name Kumbh. The fruit has many brown coloured seeds, embedded in spongy pulp. Fruits mature in June and July months.The tree is native to India. It belongs to Lecythidaceae, to which Cannonball tree (Kailashpati) belongs. The tree is supposed to have certain medicinal uses.