We have a Champa tree (Michelia champaca) in our garden, and our neighbour's champa is as good as our own. Then there is a dwarf champa in a huge planter that we have.All the three were in full bloom till last month filling the air with the heady perfume.
The vital difference between the grafted dwarf and the seed grown giants is that the seed grown trees produce fruits!
By August, the fruits , which are produced in huge quantities and in clusters, start to crack, revealing the coral coloured seeds.
The bulbuls, mynas , crows and squirrels all love the seeds . The local koel population too has suddenly shot up. Even the carnivores, whiteeyes, tailors, ashy prenias and the fantail flycatchers love to hunt insects in the mazes created by the fruit bunches.
A lot of seeds fall down and are never eaten by the birds and squirrels. I am keeping an eye on some of the fallen pods to see how the garden and it's wildlife puts them to good use.
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