The Grewias

The tree is known for a refreshing drink prepared from the fruits, commonly known as Phalsa Sherbet or squash, is considered a delicacy throughout the hot summer months in India. The Phalsa tree (Grewia Asiatica/फालसा) is a small-to-moderate sized deciduous tree.

Phalsa is a beautiful tree with small orange-yellow flowers, borne in densely crowded axillary cymes. The ripe fruits are eaten as a dessert. Their taste and flavor are very much liked. Due to fruits, the tree is often found pollarded to keep its branches low and within reach.

According to Ayurveda, different parts of this plant possess different pharmacological properties. Leaves have antimicrobial, anticancer, antiplatelet and antiemetic activities; fruit possess anticancer, antioxidant, radio-protective and anti-hyperglycemic properties; while stem bark possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The fruits are a cooling tonic, astringent & aphrodisiac; they allay thirst & burning sensations, remove biliousness, cure inflammation, heart & blood disorders and fevers. The fruit is also good against throat trouble. The bark is used as a demulcent, febrifuge and treatment for diarrhea. It cures urinary troubles and relieves burning sensation. The root bark is employed in treating rheumatism. The leaves are applied on skin eruptions and they are known to have antibiotic action.

The tree improves the soil and also aids in reclamation of degraded land. It has been proved that the plantations of Phalsa increased organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus & Potassium in the soil and reduced Calcium Carbonate, pH & bulk density due to litter production greater than that of other fruit trees. It is propagated easily by seeds.

Phalsa can be grown on a wide range of soils, even those that are slightly alkaline, clay or sandy soils. But for fruit production, ideal is a rich alluvial soil. The tree grows in both tropical and subtropical climates but will tolerate other climates, except at high altitude; however, it does best in regions having distinct summer and winter seasons. It is very hardy, drought-tolerant species and capable of existing under severe conditions and is suitable for arid regions.

The fresh leaves are valued as fodder. The mucilaginous extract from the tree obtained after pounding in water is used to clarify sugarcane juice during the preparation of gur, the traditional brown sugar made in India. Ropes or cordage can also be obtained from the tree. Furthermore, there is no serious pest or disease of this species.

There is a similar close cousin of Phalsa from the same genus, the Dhaman (Grewia Tiliifolia/धामण, धामनी) is a moderate-sized deciduous tree.

The yellow flower resembles the Phalsa flower very much. The main difference is in the leaves. The leaves of Dhaman are oblique heart-shaped.

The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its fibre and edible fruit. The black, globose, 2-3 lobed fruit is about the size of a pea, having a nice flavor. Fruit is a good source of micronutrients such as anthocyanins, phenols, flavonoids and vitamin C. They have a moderate antioxidant activity and make an excellent, healthful addition to the diet.

Dhaman grows rapidly in full sun and light shade. It is successful in a range of well-drained soils. It also serves as a larval host plant for the Coladenia Indrani species of butterflies. It is also propagated by seeds.

The tree has numerous medicinal properties. It is employed in dysentery & applied externally to remove irritation from itch. It also has emetic properties. Leaves and twigs are lopped for fodder. The leaves contain 1% tannin and are sometimes employed as a soap substitute for washing hair. 

Sandpaper Raisin or Rough-leaved Raisin (Grewia Flavescens/खटखटी) is a large shrub or small tree, with beautifully bright yellow flowers. It is multi-stemmed and densely branched, forming a very irregular leafy canopy. Leaves are simple, alternate, hairy and light green on both sides, being more hairy underneath; with irregularly toothed edges. The fruit is berry-like and hard. The skin of the fruit is said to be the hardest amongst the Grewia species. The fruit are eaten by birds, especially hornbills, and also by monkeys. 

The species is also known for its ornamental value and is used as a vegetable, fodder and to make baskets. The fruits are used as food and for traditional medicinal treatments.

The fruits of Grewias attracts many birds and is also consumed by monkeys and antelopes. Leaves are food plants for the larvae of moth-like Skipper butterflies. The trees also serve as important pollinators, food source for many animals and provide a good support for the ecosystem. These species have high potential in agroforestry practices as well as have high ornamental value. Hence it is great have one of these beauties near house!

The Indian Oak

Teak (Tectona Grandis/सागवान, साग) is a tall, deciduous tree, having small, beautiful fragrant white flowers and large leaves. Flowers usually appear during the rainy season, and trees tend to flower synchronously. It grows moderately fast and has open crown open with many small branches; the bole is often buttressed and may be fluted with deep root system. 

Though not a garden plant precisely, it has high ornamental value. It is a very important candidate in an ecosystem with a long life span. Due to its tall growing nature, it is a preferred roosting and nesting site for number of birds. Teak tree is visited by number of insects too. It is pollinated by black-ants, flies and particularly by bees. Teak is also used as a food plant by the larvae of moths of the genus Endoclita including E. aroura, E. chalybeatus, E. damor, E. gmelina, E. malabaricus, E. sericeus and E. signifer and other Lepidoptera including Turnip Moth. :-)

Teak trees survive and grow under a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. It is light-demander species. Each pair of its leaves is arranged at 90° to the adjacent pair, so as to maximize their ability to receive & trap sunlight. It grows best in a warm, moist, tropical climate with a significant difference between dry and wet seasons. It is a hardy species which is the first to colonize barren environments or previously bio-diverse ecosystems that have been disrupted, such as by fire. Even young plants show a remarkable capability to recover after fire. Hence Teak is known as a Pioneer species. In contrast to other pioneer species, it is able to persist, dominate and to naturally regenerate towards the climax phase of succession in most parts of its natural range. It occurs naturally in various types of tropical deciduous forests. It is often a dominant member of a mixed deciduous forest, where its main associates are Shorea Robusta, Terminalia spp., Xylia spp., Lagerstroemia spp., Haldina, Dalbergia Latifolia, Bambusa Bambos and Dendrocalamus Strictus. 

Natural regeneration of Teak is particularly abundant in forests exposed to fires. It is also propagated by seeds & stumps. The vitality of teak stumps is remarkable. Soaking the seeds for 48 hours in water before sowing is the best treatment for hastening germination. It coppices and pollards vigorously, sometimes retaining coppicing power to a considerable size.  

Teak is a suitable ideotype for agroforestry because of having deciduous nature, sparse canopy and deep root system. It may be planted as a wind break. Though it gives good quality charcoal, it is usually considered too valuable for it. It produces a yellowish-brown or reddish dye, which is used for paper, clothes and matting. 

According to Ayurveda, it is acrid, cooling, laxative, sedative to gravid uterus and useful in treatment of piles, leucoderma and dysentery. Flowers are acrid, bitter and dry and useful in bronchitis, biliousness, urinary discharges etc. Roots are useful in treatment of urinary system related troubles. According to Unani system of medicine, the oil from flower is hair promoter and useful in scabies. It is also good for head-ache, biliousness, burning sensation and pain and liver related troubles. It allays thirst and possess anthelmintic & expectorant properties.

Teak is one of the most important timbers in the world - a rare combination of superior physical & mechanical properties makes it a paragon of timber, and there is no likelihood of it being eclipsed by any other. Teak is often grown in botanical gardens and is occasionally cultivated in tropical countries as an ornamental for its large leaves and spreading flower clusters.

The Sheep Horn

Medhshingi or Medsing (Dolichandrone Falcata/मेढशिंगी, मेढशिंग) is a small to medium sized deciduous tree with pretty flowers attractively dense and dark foliage.

The flowers are white in colour, and just like the Coral Jasmine / Parijataka tree, bloom in the evening & fall down in the morning spreading the highly scented wave of freshness in summer months of March to May. Even without flowers, the tree shows off its glossy green leaves. It grows at moderate speed. This tree strongly needs to be introduced in city gardens.

The flowering of this tree is very profuse and fragrant. Its flower’s capsule appears nearly quadrangular, curved like a sickle, giving it an appearance of curved sheep horns, hence the name Medhsing or Bhershing. When in bloom, it attracts variety of birds and bees. It is easily propagated by its papery seeds.

The tree is also known to have medicinal properties. It is used to treat diabetes. The Father of  Surgery, Sushruta, had placed the Medhshingi tree in Shaalasaaraadi & Varunaadi Gana, Shiro-virechana & Vaata Samshamana Varga; and describes its use particularly in cataract, vision disorders, head diseases, wound healing and as an anxiolytic. 

Medhshingi gives useful green manure and young leaves, an excellent fodder, are eaten by cattle. It can coppice well, forming a compact crown. Sometimes, it can be used as windbreak in farms. It is very hardy & drought resistant species. It can also grow in poor quality soils. It is fit for propagating in the driest localities and rocky terrain. It makes an ideal ornamental candidate for plantation in urban areas.