As the name suggests, Indian Laurel (Calophyllum Inophyllum/उंडी, नागचाफा) has attractive
and beautiful foliage. Because of its decorative leaves, fragrant flowers and
spreading crown, it is best known as an ornamental plant. But this plant has
more to its credit.
Also known as Sultan Champa, it is a large evergreen tree
native to southern coastal India. It is a low-branching and slow-growing tree
with a broad and spreading crown. Due to its slow growth & ornamental
appearance, the tree is often planted in urban areas for beautification. It is
valued for its deliciously scented snow-white flowers that are reminiscent of
orange blossom. The fragrant flowers have been prized as an adornment and as a
perfume. But the cherry on cake is its flowering can occur year-round. If not year-round, usually two distinct flowering
periods are observed, in late spring and in late autumn.
Besides being a popular ornamental tree, its wood is hard & strong and has
been used in construction or boat-building. It grows best in sandy well drained
soils in coastal areas but will tolerate clays, calcareous soils and rocky
soils. It is also found higher up the rivers along river margins. The tree
demands light and prefers full sun. It is sensitive to frost and fire. It
tolerates occasional water-logging in coastal areas.
Indian Laurel is a multipurpose plant, and is harvested from
the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The tree is
planted for shade and for reforestation & afforestation. Also used to provide
shelter from the wind and as an efficient shore protector in most places. The
mature fruit is burned as a mosquito repellent. The fruit is a source for
bio-diesel is used in treating skin disorders, diarrhea, osteo-arthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, Kapha and Pitta imbalance disorders and more.
The seeds yield viscous oil, known as Domba oil, which is of
excellent quality for soap manufacture; it is also used as an illuminant and in
local medicine. It may be employed as a remedy for rheumatism, ulcers and skin
diseases. Bark is said to be an astringent. A decoction of the bark and latex
is used medicinally, internally against diarrhoea and after childbirth,
externally against skin and eye diseases and rheumatism. Leaves, flowers and
seeds are sometimes also used in local medicine.
Beauty leaf usually propagated by seeds or cuttings. It
makes a good specimen for street, parking lot as a shade tree and is both wind and
salt tolerant, making it especially useful for coastal locations. It becomes
twisted and contorted when exposed to constant wind, creating an interesting
specimen. Beauty leaf is sometimes used as a tall hedge or windbreak around
tennis courts and similar places. It could be used more often as an urban
street and garden tree.
My favourite tree :)
ReplyDeleteI have this one in my garden.
Indeed a beauty!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beauty to know about
ReplyDelete