Deciduous in nature, shimul is an odd, tall tree. Odd because the tree is barren, with dead-looking branches, devoid of any green, but amazingly it has the most magnificent vermillion flowers.

This tree is almost invisible to us throughout the year until early spring, when its glorious red crown of showy flowers captures our souls.

In Dhaka now, you will spot flashes of these red flowers while zooming past an otherwise drab, dreary March outdoors. Red silk cotton tree or cotton tree as it is romantically called in English, is in full bloom now, landscaping Hatirjheel, Sangsad Bhaban, BeriBandh areas that are blushing with these in-season blossoms.

It is also the time for long drives towards an outskirt to see pastoral Bengal at its glorious best. Just a small drive towards Joydebpur and beyond you will find rows of shimul trees with their dark red flowers against the green backdrop of paddy fields. It is like nature is painting our patriotic colours on its canvas. Shimul flowers that have fallen to the ground cover both sides of the highways in a carpet of red. If you are lucky enough you can hear the blossoms tinkling like raindrops on the roof of your automobile. Even though you are running behind time, it compels you to pause for a second and soak it all in. These fleeting moments of pleasure, albeit unimportant to many, will cause you to fall in love with Dhaka at its shimul-red best.

As we all know, Shimul grows an average from 20 to 30 metres and is mostly found in the forest areas of Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Sylhet, the outskirts of Dhaka have many shimul tree standing tall in thickets and by the roadsides.

In the field of Unani and Ayurveda, the shimul is thought to have multiple benefits. Its roots and gums are thought to be beneficial to the body. Cotton is produced from the shimul fruits, which is oblong in shape and has silky hairs.

The wood of shimul trees also have multiple uses. Being light and soft, it cannot be used for making furniture but has its uses in making matchboxes and match splints. Interestingly, it is also used to make coffins! Short lived, these flowers are lending their beautiful red hue to Dhaka and its outskirts now, just go for a whimsical ride and enjoy the shimul bloom.