A tall evergreen tropical tree. The flowers and cannonball like fruits are borne on short branches arising from the trunk. Flowers appear all year round. The trees are grown extensively in Shiva temples in India. In Hindi it is called Shiv Kamal and also known as "Kailaspati". In Sri Lanka, Thailand and other Buddhist countries the tree is often planted at Buddhist temples. It is here mistaken as the Sala tree, Shorea robusta, the tree under which the Buddha passed away and under which the previous Buddha Vessabhu attained enlightenment.

Couroupita, Cannon Ball tree

(Couroupita surinamensis)