Foster Botanical Gardens: 2 of 7

I think the Cannonball Tree is the most bizarre tree I've ever seen.  Here are some things I learned about it:

-The fruit (round and heavy, hence the name "cannonball tree") grows directly from the trunk, instead of from branches as other fruit typically does.  When it falls from the tree it makes a loud explosive noise

- The flowers grow in huge bunches up to 12 feet long, and smell very sweet

- The fruit, on the other hand, smells terrible when opened (I haven't personally experienced this!)

- Hindus regard it as the sacred tree because its flower petals resemble the hood of their revered snake "Naga"

A closer look at the flowers.