Indian Cherry (Cordia Dichotoma/भोकर, गोंधण, लसोडा) is a medium sized, almost
evergreen tree with a short bole &
spreading crown. It is a very important species when it comes to avifauna and arboreal animals.
The flowers are
small, short-stalked, bisexual, white in colour. Flowers open only at night,
hence hardly noticed. Fruits are sweet, sticky & edible; yellow or pinkish-yellow shining globose
which turns black on ripening. The immature fruits are pickled and are
also used as a vegetable. The tree shed leaves for a short period in early summer. It has elliptical to broadly ovate shaped, bright green leaves.
Being a quick-growing fruit tree, performing well under
semi-arid conditions, Indian Cherry is suitable for planting along boundary
& farm roads. The tree coppices
and pollards well. The leaves are fed upon by butterfly larvae of the Oakblue butterfly and are also lopped
for fodder. The seed kernel has
medicinal properties and has potential as cattle feed. It is often cultivated for its fruits. It
is propagated by seeds. Young seedlings
are damaged by browsing and fire, but have good power of recovery from these
injuries.
There are many medicinal properties and usages of Bahuvaraka mentioned in traditional literature of Ayurveda and Materia Medica. The fruits are used as an expectorant and astringent. They are also considered useful for treating all diseases related to the lungs. In Unani medicine, the fruits are considered to be anthelmintic, diuretic, expectorant, anti-inflamatory & purgative. They are used for treating dry cough, diseases of the chest and urethra, in biliousness and chronic fever, joint pains and diseases of the spleen as well. The inhabitants of Bhadrak District in Odisha take the fruit juice orally as a blood-purifier. A decoction of Indian Cherry bark is considered useful for the relief of dyspepsia and fevers, as well. It is also reported to possess anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerative, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulator and analgesic activity.
Though small, the flowers are delicately beautiful; which attracts bees and butterflies. When in season, various birds and arboreal mammals tend to be the greatest enthusiasts of the sticky pink fruit. Being as valuable as a pearl to our Environment, the tree might have given the name 'Pink Pearl'! Truly its a gem for tree-lovers!! :)
Hi Prashant,
ReplyDeleteI was interested in using the Cordia flowers and fruits pictures. We are developing a mobile app for Sanjay Gandhi National Park which will be a free app, wondering if you could share your pictures with us. If you agree, please write to me at vshubhalaxmi@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Best wishes
Shubha
Thank you Shubha ji for stopping by. Please check your mailbox.
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