Not a great picture. But I was just happy to have identified the tree – thanks to Madras Ramblings.
I think this is the showy silk cotton tree – Fruit is a capsule reaching almost a foot in length by 2-2.5 inches in diameter, filled with silky cotton and round seeds.
Flowering happens in Nov- Jan. This was taken on a hot summer day in March. No leaves, no flowers when I took the photograph. Will replace it with a better one soon. For now, I am glad I could identify it.
Picture taken – Madhapur, Hyderabad.
Botanical name: Bombax insigne Family: Bombacaceae (Silk Cotton Tree family)
flower (source – flowersofindia.net)
Note ( April 7, 2011) – I hope the identification is correct. The picture of the right was taken in March in South Delhi. Popularly known as the Kapok or the Semal tree. They are a beautiful sight in full bloom