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Say hello to Chennai trees
Trees everywhere in the world fall into two categories: native and exotic.
Chennai is no exception.
 In this sprawling city of ours, we seem to have more exotic trees than native ones. Whether a census operation would confirm this statement is more than I can say. But I can assert without any fear of contradiction that the exotic trees bear very showy and highly colourful flowers, against the native tress which serve more than a mere ornamental purpose, viz., yielding a variety of products, utilitarian in nature.
For example, coconut, neem, tamarind, palmyrah, etc., which are all mentioned in our ancient treatises, are multi-purpose tress, with a significant value in many a field of human activity - medicine, food-making, house building and so on.
On the other hand, the rain tree, copper pod and gul mohr which can be seen on any roadside in the city, seem to have little household value: More than anything else, most of these exotic trees are fast-growing with a very sprawling spread of foliage and, therefore, make excellent avenue trees.
Maybe, you are curious to know how one determines whether a given tree is indigenous or exotic? The late Dr B G L Swamy, a highly reputed professor who served as head of the department of Botany of Presidency College, enunciated a simple test in this regard.
 Is a particular vegetable permitted or prohibited from being used in ceremonies such as ‘shraddhas’? For example, brinjal, tomato, potato and green chilli fall under the prohibited category. On the other hand, ladies finger, bitter gourd, cucumber and taro (seppankezhangu) are much recommended vegetables for such occasions.
The principle, therefore, is to look for mention of the tree in the ancient literature of the country: If mentioned, it is a native species and, if not, the probability is, it is not a native species.
I have my own extension of this formula: Does the tree have a local name in use since ancient times? If it has, it is a native tree: If not, possibly, exotic.
You have now a yardstick with the help of which you can say whether a tree is indigenous or introduced. For instance, Terminalia Arjuna, the Arjun tree, and Albizzia lebbek, the Siris tree, are mentioned in the Ramayana. The flowers of the Siris tree have silken filaments and Sita, it is said, used to brush her cheeks with them, enjoying the silken feel of the staminal brush. Likewise, Sita would go to the Arjun tree, pass her hands over its smooth, white trunk and go into ecstatic happiness.
 In his distraught state of mind in the wake of Sita’s disappearance, Rama enquired of these trees if Sita did not leave any information with them. We have both these trees along Chennai’s roads.
I intend to tell the readers a few things about the trees in Chennai, both native and exotic. To the extent possible, I’ll mention where a particular tree can be seen. A short description of the features of the tree and a brief mention of the tree’s utilitarian aspect will be given.
If the reader is aroused to stand and stare at the trees of Chennai, I consider my mission is accomplished: If he/she goes beyond, say planting the tree in the backyard or neighbourhood, it will be more than I ask for!
Prof
K N Rao
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