Perumbavoor (Ernakulam): The garden of Pragati Academy here has turned pink now. The small pink flowers on light yellow stems are dangling on the Barringtonia tree. The flowers fallen on the ground looks like a pink carpet spread all over the place.
The tree is locally called ‘Attupezhu’, ‘Attambu’ and ‘Neerpezhu’. The name derived as the tree is commonly found in river banks. It blooms during winter season. This tree sprouted in the school compound 30 years ago, said Pragati Academy MD Dr Indira Rajan. Its seeds might have been carried along with the sand used for building construction.
The students who are members of Mathrubhumi Seed takes care of the tree. The beautiful pink shade of the tree attracts students, parents and teachers during the COVID times. A bullet wood tree (Ilanji) planted by former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam during his visit to the academy also has bloomed in the garden.
