literally meaning "The Garden of Heaven"

Michelia champaca Linn.

Vernacular Name: Champa, Champaka

Evergreen trees, 20-40 m tall; Leaves ovate-lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, coriaceous, glabrous above, more or less pubescent beneath, with strong secondary nerves and reticulations. Flowers axillary, regular, yellow; perianth 9-15, free, deciduous, segments oblong, fleshy, curved. Receptacle elongate, columnar, bearing stamens at base and pistils above. Fruit an aggregate of follicles; follicles warty, dehiscing by 2 valves; seeds scarlet.

Very commonly planted in temple premises, roadsides, gardens and parks; wild in semi-evergreen forests.

Flowering : March - April
Fruiting : June - July
Champa