Take a look at Goa's fragrant blooms and colourful trails

BLUSH OF A NEW SEASON

Spring is considered the king of all seasons. It’s when leaves and flowers burst forth joyfully. Trees like the Ghoting flaunt their newly emerged tender red leaves proclaiming the annual rebirth of nature.

DECEPTIVE CHARM

The bright red seeds of Gunji, locally called kaavlyache dole (crow’s eyes), were once strung into jewellery for their striking appearance. But, remember, they are poisonous and must be handled with care.

A RARE BLOOM

Capparis moonii is a rare climbing shrub of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. It bears delicate white flowers with long stamens and creates a beautiful spectacle in the forest that attracts many pollinators.

PEARLS BY THE RIVER

The tiny pinkish-white blossoms of Pongamia pinnata, locally known as karanjel, blanket the ground beneath like scattered pearls. Often found near rivers, this tree is also valued for its oil.

GOLDEN DRIFT

Dillenia pentagyna (karmal tree) adorns itself with bright yellow flowers. When its petals delicately descend to the earth, it’s a mesmerising sight to witness.

WILD ELEGANCE

Known as wild guava, kumyo (Careya arborea) is a tree that features in many Goan folk songs and village names. Its attractive flowers and leaves are even eaten as salad greens in Thailand.

FRAGRANCE IN CLUSTERS

Popularly known as Hazari Mogra, Clerodendrum chinense is a shrubby wildflower. Its clustered blooms fill the air with a soft, lingering fragrance that attracts butterflies.

PURPLE SPLASH

Melastoma affine, with its delicate purple flowers, bursts like a splash of colour in the wild—drawing pollinators with its eye-catching blooms.

RED FLUSH

Ficus petiolaris or rock fig (known locally as faatarfod) is striking when adorned with tender red leaves. This brief burst of colour adds beauty to its surroundings.

THE HIDDEN CLIMBER

The secretive fruits of Diploclisia glaucescens hang from a beautiful, glossy-leaved vine that quietly weaves through the forest, adding its own unique charm.

NEXT: Catch Goa in the full spectrum of colours