What looks like a tennis ball is the flower of the Kadamba tree, Nauclea cadamba .This tree near my home is now full of these green tennis ball flowers, which turn a folden yellow in February.
The Kadamba has historical significance- it was the emblem of the great Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi who ruled Karnataka and Goa a thousand years ago. The Kadamba kings were great builders and architects. Many roads and temples built by them are still in use in Goa and Karnataka. The Goa state transport buses are named after this tree. The flowers and fruit are edible, and attract birds and bees. The leaves contain two alkaloids which are useful in the treatment of diabetes. The dried bark is used to bring down fever.
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