The Complete Elm!

Indian Elm (Holoptelea Integrifolia/वावळ, पापडी) is a large deciduous, fast-growing tree with good canopy. It is densely foliated tree. Though its tiny flowers are not conspicuous, the circular samara fruits give an attractive appearance to the tree; also making the tree easy to spot. It has wind-pollinated male and hermaphrodite flowers. The flowers are small, greenish-yellow to brownish & pubescent.

Indian Elm tree flowers in January-February months and it fruits from March to May. During this period, the tree attracts loads bees and butterflies. It is the larval host plant for the Chilades Pandava butterfly. The fruits of Indian Elm, just like figs, are largely eaten by Langurs. The leaves are used as animal fodder. It can be coppiced. The unripe fruits are edible. Fruits also serve as a good source of Essential oils. This Elm gives good quality charcoal. 

Though Indian Elm grows slowly in initial stages, once established, the species can be fast-growing. It propagates from seeds & cuttings. The papery fruits can be just sprinkled on soil and regular water-spraying helps in their germination. It is resistant to gaseous pollutants. The tree is known to purify air by trapping dust & particulate pollutants. 

The tree is mentioned in Charaka-Samhita, Sushruta-Samhita and other traditional systems. It pacifies vitilated kapha and is known to be useful in skin diseases, haemorrhoids, colic, flatulence & vomiting. Its leaves are also used for diabetes, leprosy & baldness. This herb is also mentioned for the treatment of localized swelling, nausea, indigestion, rheumatism, ringworm infectin, scabies, ulcers and acts as blood purifier. The tree has also been found to have some antibacterial properties. Name the disease and this elm have remedy for that! It is commonly called Chirabilva in Ayurveda. 

Indian Elm is also used in ecological forestry for its heat & drought tolerance and regenerative abilities. It’s a very hardy tree that survives well in the extreme climate. Its root system helps in erosion control of soil and dune stabilization. The leaves also provide useful mulch in good quantity. It’s crushed leaves & bark has a characteristic smell. This virtue makes the tree resistant to pest and these parts can also be used as a pest repellent.

The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food, and as a source of oil and wood. The attractively dense tree is commonly spotted on roadsides across the city and in gardens as well.