Cassia Javanica Blossoms in Khagrachari Hilltop

Flowers appear on a Lal Sonail (Cassia Javanica) tree in Khagrachari Road Division Sub-Divisional Engineer's Office.

It seems that the Lal Sonail (Cassia Javanica) tree is giving the air of relief in the extreme heat across the hills. In the summer in the highlands, Sonalu, Krishnacura and Jarul fascinate the flower lovers and Lal Sonail has added color to it.

Roads and Highways Department engineer Sabuj Chakma planted Red Sonail (Cassia Javanica) saplings at Khagrachari sub-divisional engineering office three years ago. At present, the tree is about 5 meters high. The twigs spread like umbrellas. Javanica or Lal Sonail blooms all over the tree. This new type of flower is captivating nature lovers.

Sabuj Chakma said the Lal Sonail (Cassia Javanica) can be seen in the hills. In 1994 there was a Cassia Javanica tree next to our house. It was born naturally. I have collected saplings of this tree from Khagrachari. I planted the sapling about 3 years ago. This tree can be seen in various Buddhist monasteries in Khagrachari.  

He added that the pink color of the flowers fascinates the visitors from afar. Generally, good flowers are obtained by planting in a place where sunlight is available throughout the day.

Cassia Javanica blooms in summer. Apart from Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, it blooms in tropical areas including Indonesia. The tree is fast-growing, medium-sized, and can grow up to 10 meters tall. Head scattering, foliage, compound leaves 1-winged, 15 to 30 cm long, leaflets 16 to 28, smooth and 3 to 5 cm long.

Mokaram Hossain, a naturalist writer, said that the flowers, leaves, and trees of Lal Sonail (Cassia Javanica) are very beautiful. The young trees look like umbrellas. Red Sonail's other name is Pink Cassia or Pink Shower. So far there was no Bengali name. Lal Sonail is named after Professor Dwijen Sharma. They are similar to Sonail in shape but different in color.