Neolamarckia cadamba aka Kadam

Neolamarckia cadamba grows fast and stays green all year. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family. People call it kadam, laran, and common burflower tree. Its home range spans southern China and tropical Asia. It grows in wet tropical areas, often near rivers. It helps form young forests on land that has faced disturbance. Deep, moist river soils suit it well.

This large tree has a wide, umbrella-shaped crown. Sources give heights up to 148 feet [45 metres]. One source gives a spread of 98 feet [30 metres]. The trunk is straight and round. It may form buttresses, or broad supports, at its base. Trunks can reach 3.3 feet [1 metre] across. Rare trees reach about 5.2 feet [1.6 metres] across. These sizes make it a large tree, not a small garden plant.

The orange flowers have a scent and grow in round clusters. Trees may first bloom four or five years after planting. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The small fruits have soft flesh and turn yellow-orange. Sources report that people can eat the fruits and flower clusters. They list no known hazards but give no detailed safety review. They also note past uses of the bark and leaves. People use dried bark for fever and as a tonic. They use leaf extracts to rinse the mouth.

Kadam needs warmth, and frost can harm it. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 10–12. Grown trees need good light; shade helps young plants. It suits sand, loam, or clay that drains well. Soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. It likes moist ground and can cope with brief floods. Yet drought and too much water can cause problems. Soil with too little air can cause problems too. Good drainage thus matters even in a wet climate. Weeds and harsh direct sun also trouble young seedlings.

People plant kadam for shade by roads and near homes. Its flowers and broad crown make it a decorative tree. Growers use it in plantations and to form windbreaks. They also plant it to help restore woods. Its fast growth helps restore bare land or soil worn by erosion. Fallen leaves and other litter add organic matter to soil. The tree has value in Asian faiths and culture, too. In India, people hold it sacred to Krishna. Its tiny seeds do better sown in nurseries than straight in the ground. Seedlings need care to prevent drying out or getting too much water.