Mangifera indica L.
An evergreen tree with simple and alternate leaves. Flowers are in
dense clusters or panicles, polygamous and white. Fruit is a fleshy drupe
with edible pulp. Found usually along the streams in a deciduous and evergreen
forests of the western ghats. Largely distributed in India, Srilanka and
South-East Asian countries. Kan: Maavina mara., Eng: Mango
Spondias mangifera Willd.
A deciduous tree with compound leaves, leaflets 3-5 pairs. Flowers
in dense panicles, polygamous and yellow. Fruit is a ovoid drupe with 1-5
seeds. Commonly seen in the deciduous to semi-evergreen forests of western
ghats. Distributed extensively over the old tropical region. Kan: Amate
mara., Eng: Indian Hog Plum.
Anona squamosa L.
A small tree or large shrub with alternate leaves. Flowers either single
or clustered at the axis of leaves. Perianth lobes are thick and greenish.
Fruit is greenish, warty, syncarpus and edible. Native of South America,
widely cultivated for the edible fruits. Kan: Seethaphala., Eng: The 'Custard
Apple'.
Anona reticulata L.
A small evergreen tree with alternate leaves. Flowers greenish and
thick. Fruit reddish when ripe and edible. Commonly cultivated in gardens
for the fruits. Native of tropical America, cultivated in gardens. Hindi:
Ramphal., Eng: The 'Bull's Heart'.
Cananga odorata
(Lam) Hook.f. & Thomson
An evergreen tree found only in cultivation. Leaves variable in dimension.
Flowers in clusters, fragrant and drooping. Fruits a cluster of fleshy
globose monocarps. Aromatic oil called "Cananga oil" is extracted from
the flowers. This plant is largely distributed in India, Queensland and
Philippines.
Polyalthia
longifolia (Sonnerat) Thwaites.
An evergreen columnar tree found only in cultivation. Leaves long with
wavy margin. Flowers in dense clusters, yellowish-green. Fruits in clusters,
turn blackish when ripe. Native of Srilanka, cultivated throughout India.
Kan: Ashoka tree.
Alstonia scholaris R. Br.
A tall tree with bitter milky juice, glabrous except the inflorescence.
Bark greyish outside, ivory white inside. Leaves 4-7 in a whorl, dark green
above. Flowers greenish white is branched many flowered cyme, very fragrant.
Fruit is cylindrical, pendulous, long follicle in clusters. Commonly found
in evergreen forests, often cultivated. This tree is found throughout India,
Ceylon, Java, Tropical Africa and Eastern Australia. Eng.: Devil's Tree
Nerium oleander L.
A shrub with thick whorled leaves. Flowers in polychasial cymes, rose
or white in colour and fragrant. Corolla (petal) is characteristically
funnel shaped. Fruits are rarely seen. It is cultivated widely for its
flowers. This plant has wide distribution from Persia to Japan. Kan: Kanagelu.
Plumeria alba L.,
Plumeria rubra L.
A deciduous profusely branched tree. Leaves simple, large and alternate.
Flowers are in cymes, fragrant. Fruit a follicle and seeds are flat and
winged. Plumeria alba has yellow flowers where as Plumeria rubra has pink
flower with yellow center. Both species - Native of tropical America but
naturalized in tropics. Kan: Gosampige., Eng: Temple tree.
Wrightia tinctoria
(Roxb.) R.Br.
A deciduous tree with milky latex. Leaves with varied measurements.
Flowers White, fragrant and at terminal panicles. Fruit a mericarp joined
at the tips horn like. Seeds light and adapted for wind dispersal. This
tree is commonly found in the deciduous and scrub jungles of the peninsula.
This tree is distributed in India and South-East Asian countries. Kan:
Hale.
Brassia actinophylla Endl.
A tree found only in cultivation. Leaves alternate palmately compound.
Flowers clustered as an umbel on a long inflorescence stock and red. Fruit
is a drupe. Probably native of Australia, now in cultivation throughout
India. Eng: Queensland umbrella tree.
Crescentia cujete L.
A tree, readily distinguished by its peculiar habit of growth bearing
large wide-spreading horizontal scarcely divided branches with leaf clusters
at intervals. Flowers solitary, pendulous, yellowish purple. Fruit, hard
rinded berry with many seeds. Native of Tropical America, especially familiar
in the West Indies. Eng. Calabash tree.
Dolichondrone falcata
(DC) Seem.
A large deciduous tree with pinnately compound leaves. Flowers in panicles,
petals, white\yellow. Fruit is a long compressed capsule and dehiscent.
Seeds many and winged. This plant is common in dry forests of the peninsula
and planted in gardens and as an avenue tree also. Native of peninsula.
Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don
A deciduous tree with compound leaves. Leaves bipinnate and pinnules
(leaflets) are small. Flowers are in dense panicles, bluish and papery.
Fruit a woody dehiscent capsule. Seeds many and winged. Native of South
America, extensively planted in gardens and under social forestry schemes.
Kigelia pinnata (Jacq.)
DC.
A large deciduous tree. Leaves pinnately compound. Flowers in a panicle,
dark purple with yellow stripes. Fruit is a long indehiscent sausage shaped
woody brownish capsule. Native of Africa, extensively planted in the tropics.
Millingtonia hortensis
L.f.
A tall deciduous tree. Leaves pinnately compound. Flowers in corymbose
panicles, long tubular, white and fragrant. Fruit is a capsule. Native
of South-East Asia and Malaya. Cultivated in India for it's ornamental
flowers. Kan: Akasha mallige., Eng: Indian cork tree.
Spathodea campanulata
Beauv.
A deciduous tree with odd pinnate compound leaves. Flowers in showy
inflorescence with orange-crimson petals. Fruit a hard capsule, dehiscent.
Seeds winged. Native of tropical Africa and now cultivated in other parts
of the tropics. Eng: Indian tulip tree
Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.)
DC.
A densely foliaceaous deciduous tree. Leaves compound with normally
5 leaflets. Flowers in terminal panicles, light pinkish and funnel shaped.
Fruit a horn shaped capsule. Native of tropical South America, cultivated
extensively in old tropics.
Tebebuia argentea Britt.
A large shrub or a small tree, deciduous in nature. Leaves compound
with thick 5 leaflets. Flowers in dense terminal clusters, yellow. When
flowering tree looks as though painted yellow and leafless. Fruit is hard
capsule and seeds are winged. Native of South America, cultivated for its
ornamental flowers.
Tebebuia avalanidae
A straggling shrub with oily shining leaves. Flowers in terminal panicles,
violet in colour. Native of South America, cultivated in gardens for its
ornamental flowers.
Tecoma
stans (L.) Kunth.
An evergreen small tree/shrub. Leaves pinnately compound with variable
number of leaflets. Flowers in terminal panicles, showy and yellow. Fruit
is a linear capsule, seeds winged. This is a garden shrub cultivated for
the flowers. Native of new tropics. Kan: Gante hoovu.
Bixa orellana L.
Moderate sized tree/shrub seen only in cultivation. Leaves simple and
alternate. Flowers in terminal racemes, pink in colour. Fruit a capsule
with many seeds and outer surface is bristly. This plant is introduced
from America and grown as an ornamental. Kan: Rangumale., Eng: Butter-seed
tree.
Cochlospermum
religiosum (L) Alston.
A deciduous tree. Leaves simple, alternate and 3-5 lobed. Flower is
large, golden yellow. Fruit is a large dehiscent capsule. Seeds many and
wooly. This plant is found in dry forests of Karnataka. Native of India
and is also planted in other parts of the world. Kan: Arashina boorige.,
Eng: Golden silk cotton tree.
Bombax ceiba L.
A large deciduous tree armed with prickles on stem. Leaves palmately
compound with 5 leaflets. Flowers deep red. Fruit is a capsule dehiscent.
Seeds many and with cottony hairs. This tree is common in dry forests of
Karnataka and flowers when the tree is totally leafless. This tree has
distribution in India and South-East Asian countries. Kan: Booruga., Eng:
Malabar semul or Silk cotton
Ceiba pentandra (L.)
Gaertner
A large deciduous pale greenish tree without prickles. Leaves palmately
compound with 5-9 leaflets. Flower white. Fruit is a woody capsule and
dehiscent. Seeds many and has cottony hair. Native of Africa but is now
cultivated throughout tropics. Eng: Silk cotton tree.
Chorisia
speciosa St-Hil.
Commonly cultivated tree in gardens for the flowers. Tree appears like
Ceiba pentandra, flowers bright pink with white streaks at the center,
broadly spreading larger.
Pseudobombax ellipticum
(HBK) Dug.
Commonly cultivated tree for flowers, which is crimson coloured with
long tufted crimson stamens, giving the appearance of shaving brush. This
tree is introduced from Central America.
Casuarina
equisitifolia Forster & Forster.f.
An evergreen tree with leaves reduced to scales. Flowers unisexual
present in spikes. Fruit is a nutlet. Native of Malay islands, Australia.
Elsewhere it is cultivated. Planted along the coast as a wind break. Kan:
Galimara., Eng: Casuarina tree.
Terminalia
catapa L.
A deciduous tree with whorled branching. Leaves simple and clustered
at tip. Flowers small and arranged in a spike, white. Fruit is a drupe,
fleshy and edible. This plant is cultivated in plains for shade and also
the fleshy fruits are eaten. Native of Malaysia, North Australia, extensively
cultivated in the tropics. Kan: Deshi badam.
Shorea
roxburghii G.Don
A resiniferous deciduous tree with simple alternate leaves. Flowers
in a terminal panicle, white and fragrant. Fruit is a capsule with winged
accrescent calyx. This plant is common in dry forests of the peninsula.
Much adapted to fire. Lac insects are cultured on this plant to produce
lac. The genus has wide distribution in the Malayan Peninsula but is restricted
to South India. Kan: Jalari., Eng: Taloora Lac tree.
Dillenia indica L.
An evergreen tree with hairy branches. Leaves are large (30 X 10 cm)
with serrate margin. Flowers white, pendent and quite conspicuous. Friuts
greenish-yellow with many seeds. Commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant.
It is largely found in India, Srilanka and Malaysia. Kan: Betta Kanagalu.,
Eng: Elephant apple.
Muntungia calabura L.
An evergreen tree with simple and alternate leaves. Leaves with sticky
hairs. Flowers in the axils of the leaves in pairs and white in colour.
Fruit is a fleshy berry, edible when ripened. Native of Tropical America,
cultivated widely. Eng: Singapore cherry.
Aleurites fordii Hemsl.
A monoecious tree found only in cultivation. Leaves simple, alternate
and cordate. Flowers in a panicles. Tepals in two series, inner petaloid
and purplish in colour. Fruit is a drupe and fleshy. Probably native of
South-East Asia, cultivated now in gardens.
FABACEAE (Includes all sub-families)
Acacia auriculiformis
A. Cunn. ex Benth.
An unarmed tree. Leaves reduced into xerophytic structures called phyllode,
where petiole is taken over the function of a leaf. Flowers yellow in a
spike. Fruit a curled pod, dehiscent. This plant is cultivated extensively
in the social forestry program and native of tropical Australia. Kan: Firangi
Jali.
Acacia farnesiana (L.)
Willd.
A large shrub or a small tree. Leaves compound, with stipular spines,
white in colour. Petiole has gland. Flowers in globose heads, yellow and
fragrant. Fruit is a pod, pulpy and turgid. This plant is seen in scrub
jungles and often grown as a hedge plant. Native of Tropical America and
now it has become Pan-tropical. Kan: Kasturi Jali., Eng: Fragrant Acacia.
Acacia polycantha Willd.
A large deciduous tree. Bark whitish and papery with regular peeling.
Leaves pinnately compound with stipular spines. Flowers whitish/cream in
terminal erect cymes. Fruit is a pod, thick, indehiscent and many seeded.
This tree is found in the dry forests of Karnataka usually along the streams.
Can be easily spotted as the tree has layered crown. Native of India and
has wide distribution in Srilanka. Kan: Mugli., Eng: White Cutch.
Acacia sinuata (Lour.)
Merrill.
A prickly climbing shrub with compound leaves. Leaf rachis is prickly
and has glands. Flowers aggregated to form heads with red sepal and white
petals. The clusters of the heads are in racemes or panicles. Fruit is
a dry dehiscent pod. The pods are used as a detergent. This shrub is common
in the deciduous forests of Karnataka. Widely distributed in India, Srilanka,
Nepal and South-East Asian countries. Kan: Seege., Eng: Washing pod tree.
Adenanthera pavoniana L.
A large evergreen tree with compound alternate and clustered leaves.
Flowers clustered in racemes, yellow-cream. Fruit is a dry pod, coiled
and dehiscent. Seeds are characteristic globose and bright shining red.
This tree is planted for shade. This species has wide distribution in Srilanka,
Malaysia and other South-Asian countries. Kan: Manjatti.
Albizia lebbeck (L.)
Bentham.
A large deciduous tree with pinnately compound leaves. Leaves have
glands at the base of the petiole. Flowers clustered in globose heads,
White and fragrant. Fruit is a pod, straw coloured. This tree is present
in dry forests of Karnataka and often cultivated. This tree has wide distribution
in old tropics. Kan: Bage.
Bauhinia purpurea L.
A medium sized tree with alternate leaves. Leaves are of 'hoof' shaped
with two leaflets. Flowers in a panicle, rose to pink. Fruit is a dehiscent
pod with flat seeds usually 10 in number. This tree is native of South-East
Asia and often cultivated in India.
Bauhinia tomentosa L.
A large or small tree. Leaves are same as of the previous species.
Flowers in a 2 - 5 flowered racemes, yellow. Fruit is a tomentose pod.
Native of Africa, found in cultivation elsewhere.
Bauhinia variegata L.
A small sized tree. Leaves alternate and same as previous species.
Flowers in a dense panicles and large. Petals pink and variegated. Fruit
is a pod. This plant is doubtfully native of China. Found in wild and also
in cultivation in the peninsula.
Butea monosperma (Lam.)
Taubert.
Deciduous trees, sometimes straggling. Leaves trifoliately compound.
Flowers in a panicles, flame coloured and showy. Petals thick. Fruit is
an indehiscent pod. This plant is common in drier parts of Karnataka. It
has wide distribution in India and South-East Asian countries. Kan: Muttagada
mara. Eng: Flame of the forest.
Calliandra haematocephala
A densely foliaceous shrub found only in the cultivation. Leaves pinnately
compound. Flowers in globose heads, red in colour. Fruit is a pod clustered,
dehiscent. This plant is introduced from Mexico.
Cassia auriculata L.
A large shrub. Leaves pinnately compound with glands opposite to leaflets.
Stipules leaf-like and persistent. Flowers in corymbose racemes and golden
yellow. Fruit is a pod, long and dehiscent. This plant is found in highly
disturbed areas and in dry forests of Karnataka. It is an indigenous source
of tannin, leaves are used as green manure. This plant has wide distribution
in India, Srilanka and South-East Asian countries. Kan: Olle thangadi.,
Eng: Eared senna.
Cassia fistula
L.
A medium sized deciduous tree with pinnately compound leaves and no
glands. Flowers yellow on long drooping racemes. Fruit, a long indehiscent
cylindrical pod. Seeds numerous. Commonly found in the dry forests of Karnataka.
Fruits eaten by bears. Native of India, China and South-East Asian countries.
Kan: Kakke mara., Eng: Indian laburnum.
Cassia javanica L.
A large tree. Leaves pinnately compound. Flowers in terminal panicles,
pinkish with yellow coloured stamens. Fruit is a long cylindrical pod.
Seeds many. Cultivated. Native of South-East Asia.
Cassia roxburghii DC.
A large sized tree with pinnately compound leaves. Flowers in terminal
racemes, flame coloured. Stamens conspicuously yellow and swollen at the
middle (only distinguishing feature from Cassia javanica). Fruit is a long
pod, cylindrical and indehiscent. Seeds many. This plant is seen only in
cultivation. May be native of Srilanka.
Cassia
spectabilis DC.
A medium sized tree. Leaves pinnately compound. There are no glands
on the petiole. Flowers yellow on terminal corymbose panicles. Fruit is
a pod, long, compressed and dehiscent. This plant is seen only in cultivation.
Native of tropical South-East Asia.
Castanospermum
australe Cunn.
Evergreen tree planted as an ornamental in warm regions. Leaves pinnately
compound, large and leathery. Flowers large, yellow to orange and reddish
in racemes. Fruit is a woody pod with shining surface, long, cylindrical
with tapering ends on both sides. Seeds chest-nut like. Eng: Moreton-Bay-Chestnut,
Black Bean.
Caesalpinia bonduc (L.)
Roxb.
An armed shrub with prickles recurved. Leaves pinnately compound and
prickly. Flowers in racemes, yellow and showy. Stamens are exserted. Fruit
is a pod and prickly. This plant is common in the forest clearings and
disturbed areas forming a impenetrable thickets. This plant is widely distributed
in tropics, Pan-tropical. Kan: Heggejjuga., Eng: Bonduc nut.
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
(L.) Sw.
An unarmed shrub with pinnately compound leaves. Flowers in corymbose
racemes, yellow- orange and showy. Stamens exserted. Fruit is a pod. This
plant is seen only in cultivation. Doubtful native of tropical America,
now extensively cultivated in tropics. Kan: Ratnagandhi., Eng: Cock's comb.
Cerotonia siliqua L.
A small evergreen tree with two pairs of rough leaves, shining, dark
green in colour with a notch at the tip. Flowers in racemes arranged laterally,
bright red in colour. Pods elongated, compressed, leathery, filled with
pulpy substance between seeds. Native of East Mediterranean region, now
widely cultivated. Eng: Caroubier., St. John’s bread.
Delonix
regia (W.Hook) Raf.
A deciduous tree with spreading crown. Leaves pinnately compound. Leaves
large with minute leaflets. Flowers in racemes, large and showy. Petals
crimson to scarlet. Fruit is a long dehiscent pod. Seeds many and sometimes
eaten. This plant is found only in cultivation used extensively in the
social forestry program. This plant is endangered in Madagascar, now extensively
cultivated in tropics. Eng: Gul Mohar tree.
Erythrina stricta Roxb.
Deciduous trees with trifoliate leaves. Stem is prickly. Flowers in
a racemes, red and showy. Flowering time of this group of plants is quite
interesting. They flower at the peak of dry season when plant is totally
leafless. Birds pollinate this species. Fruit is a linear pod and dehiscent.
Seen in dry forests of Karnataka, many a time it is planted. Native of
India and South-East Asian countries. Kan: Keechige.
Gliricidia
sepium (Jacq.)Kunth ex Walp.
A large shrub with odd pinnate leaves. Flowers in terminal racemes.
Petals Pinkish-white typically like a bean flower. Fruit is pod. This plant
is seen only in cultivation. A native of South America and now extensively
cultivated in tropics as hedge plant and as well as shade. Leaves can be
used as manure.
Leucaena leucocephala
(Lam.) de Wit.
Unarmed tree/shrub. Leaves pinnately compound. leaflets small. Flowers
in a inflorescence of white globose heads. Fruit is a pod linear and dehiscent.
Seeds many. This plant is cultivated as a fodder species and for green
manure. This is also cultivated as an energy plantation. Native of tropical
America and now cultivated throughout tropics (Pan-tropical). Kan: Soo
babul.
Parkia biglandulosa
Wight & Arn.
A large unarmed tree with pinnately compound leaves. Petioles have
glands at the base. Flowers on a long pendulous globose heads size of a
tennis ball. Petals creamish-white. Fruit is a small pod. This plant is
found only in cultivation. Native of Malaya and cultivated elsewhere.
Peltophorum
pterocarpum (DC) Backer ex K. Heyne.
A large deciduous tree. Leaves pinnately compound and pubescent. Flowers
in a terminal panicle golden yellow with brownish stripe. Fruit is a rigid
pod copper coloured. It is planted extensively in the social forestry program.
Native of Srilanka and South-East Asian countries. Eng: Copper pod tree.
Pithecellobium
dulce (Roxb.) Benth.
An armed tree with stipules modified into spines. Leaves pinnately
compound, petiole has glands. Flowers in globose heads arranged in panicles.
Petals white and densely hairy. Fruit is a pod, spiral. Aril is edible.
This plant is naturalised in drier parts of Karnataka. Native of Tropical
America. Kan: Betta hunase., Eng: Manila Tamarind.
Pongamia pinnata (L.)
Pierre.
An evergreen tree. Leaves pinnately compound. Flowers in axillary racemes,
purplish-white. Fruit is a pod with hard covering and indehiscent. Seed
1, yields an important fatty oil used in lubricants and also in domestic
lamps. Commonly found along the river-banks and also planted in villages
for shade and manure. It is widely distributed in old tropics. Kan; Hongemara.
Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr.
A large tree with alternate leaves. Leaves bipinnate. Leaflets have
glands opposite to them. Flowers clustered in globose heads arranged in
racemes. Flowers pinkish-white. Fruit is a pod thick mesocarp and indehiscent.
This tree is found only in cultivation as fast growing avenue tree. Native
of South and Central America. Introduced into the old tropics. Eng: The
rain tree.
Saraca asoka (Roxb.)
de Wilde.
A large tree with even pinnate leaves. Flowers on a panicle, orange-yellow
and showy. Fruit is a pod. This tree is found in wet deciduous forests
of ghats and often cultivated. Considered to be a sacred tree of the Hindus
and Buddhists. Leaves, bark and flowers are of medicinal value. Kan: Asokada
mara., Eng: Asoka.
Tamarindus indica L.
A large evergreen tree. Leaves evenly pinnate, leaflets small. Flowers
in a raceme, small and yellow striped with pink. Fruit is a woody pod with
pulpy mesocarp. Seeds smooth and shining. This plant is cultivated for
the fruits used as a spice. This plant is doubtfully a native of Tropical
Africa and now cultivated in the tropics. Kan: Hunase mara., Eng: Tamarind.
Couroupita guianensis Al.
A large deciduous tree. Leaves simple with serrate margin. Flowers
in a raceme, which is culiflorous. Petals thick, fleshy and yellow/red
with crimson-lilac within. The androphore which is characteristic is fleshy,
thick, white and spoon like. Stamens many. Fruit is a large woody berry.
This plant is found only cultivation and probably native of Tropical America.
Kan: Nagalinga pushpa., Eng: The Canon ball tree.
Lagerstroemia
reginae Roxb.
A large deciduous tree. Leaves simple and sub opposite. Flowers in
terminal panicles. Petals six and pink. Stamens exserted. Fruit is a globose
capsule and dehiscent. Seeds many. This plant is common in wet forests
of western ghats and usually cultivated as an ornamental. This plant is
widely distributed in India, Myanmar and South-East Asian countries.
Lawsonia inermis L.
A large shrub, sometimes lateral branches end in spines. Flowers in
terminal cymose panicles. Petals cream. Fruit is a capsule brown when mature.
Commonly grown as a hedge plant. Leaves yield a dye used as a manicure.
Widely distributed in old tropics. Kan: Gorante.
Thespesia populeana
(L.) Sol. ex Corr.
A medium sized tree. Leaves simple, alternate and cordate. Flowers
axillary, single and large. Petals yellow and showy. Fruit a capsule, woody,
indehiscent and has white latex or sap. Commonly cultivated in gardens
and as an avenue tree. It has wide distribution in tropics. Flowers are
known to change colour as the day progresses. Kan: Bugari mara.
Michelia champaka L.
An evergreen tree with alternate leaves. Buds are conspicuously covered
by the stipules. Leaves are variable in their dimensions. Flowers are either
axillary or terminal, perianth lobes are in whorls, yellow and fragrant.
Friuts are an aggregate of follicles, seeds scarlet in colour. Commonly
cultivated in gardens for the aromatic flowers. It is largely distributed
in India and South-East Asian countries. Kan: Sampige.
Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
A large tree. Leaves pinnately compound. Leaflets crenate. Flowers
in a axillary panicles. Petals white. Fruit is an ellipsoid drupe, fleshy,
green turning yellow with white latex. This tree is widely cultivated for
the wood. It has many insecticide properties. Medicinally important species.
Probably native of India and China, now extensively cultivated. Kan: Bevu.,
Eng: Enema.
Melia azadirach L.
A medium sized tree. Leaves bipinnately compound. Flowers, terminal
panicles. Petals lilac and showy. Fruit is a drupe. This plant is commonly
planted in gardens. Native of Himalayas, now naturalised in most parts
of India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. Eng: Persian Lilac.
Melia dubia
Cav.
A large deciduous tree. Leaves 2-3 pinnate with leaflets crenate. Flowers
in large terminal panicles, small and greenish-white. Fruit is a fleshy
drupe green turning yellow. This plant is seen in dry forests of Karnataka
and often cultivated as avenue tree. This plant has wide distribution in
India, Srilanka and Malaysia. Kan: Betta Bevu., Eng: Great Neem.
Swietenia macrophylla King.
A large deciduous tree. Leaves compound and opposite. Flowers in axillary
panicles, small and cream coloured. Fruit is a globose woody dehiscent
capsule. Seeds many and winged. This plant is cultivated for timber and
as an avenue tree. Native of Honduras, now widely cultivated in tropics.
Eng: Mahogany.
Cederella toona Roxb.
Evergreen tree, tall with attractive coloured wood. Leaves pinnately
compound, wavy margined. Flowers white, fragrant in panicles shorter than
the leaves. Fruit is a capsule, leathery and long. The seeds winged at
both ends. Eng: Toona.
Artocarpus
heterophyllus Lam.
A large evergreen tree with spreading canopy. Leaves simple, alternate,
with white latex. Stipules conspicuously cover the leaves. Flowers in pendulous
axillary or cauliflorus inflorescence. Flowers unisexual. Fruit is a large
syncarp with fleshy perianth. Seed one, enclosed in the perianth. Commonly
found in moist and semi-evergreen forests of western ghats. Cultivated
on a large scale for the fruits. Good avenue tree. Native of South India,
has wide distribution in the tropics. Kan: Halasu., Eng: Jack.
Artocarpus
hirsutus Lam.,
A large evergreen tree. Leaves alternate, simple with latex. Flowers,
in axillary inflorescence. Fruit is a syncarp, cylindrical with echinate
processes and orange when ripe. Commonly seen in semi-evergreen and moist
deciduous forest. Native of South West India. Kan: Hebbalasu.
Broussonetia papyrifera
A large evergreen and gregarious tree. Leaves simple with variable
shape. Dioecious trees. Flowers in small axillary catkin like inflorescence.
Fruits, small syncarp, fleshy and red when mature. This tree is found in
cultivation only and coppices profusely. Native of Himalayas, now cultivated
in India. Eng: Paper mulberry.
Ficus benghalensis L.
A large spreading tree with extensive prop roots. Leaves simple, alternate
with latex. Flowers clustered in an inflorescence called hypanthodium.
Sexes separate in same inflorescence. Fruit is called syconia (compound
fruit), commonly called fig. Axillary pairs, sessile and hairy. Distributed
in India, Srilanka and Pakistan. Commonly planted as an avenue tree. Sacred
tree of Hindus. Kan: Aladamara., Eng: Banyan tree.
Ficus benjamina L.,
A large spreading tree with simple and alternate leaves. Figs monoecious,
sessile, axillary paired and globose. Red or Orange when ripened. Seen
only in cultivation. Probably native of South China and introduced into
peninsula and Srilanka.
Ficus carica L.
A large shrub or small tree with simple and broad leaves. Figs solitary
in the axils of the fallen leaves. Edible. Seen only in cultivation introduced
from Mediterranean region now widely cultivated for the fruits. Kan: Anjura.
Ficus elastica Roxb.
A large shrub or a small tree with milky latex. Leaves simple, thick
and dark green. This plant is seen only in cultivation either indoor or
outdoor.
Ficus mysorensis Heyne.
A tree with a shady head, often leafless when in ripe fruit. Aerial
roots few, embracing the stem. Younger branches grey, hairy. stem bark
in thick, grey and rough. Leaves shining on the upper surface. Figs in
pairs, axillary, sessile, hairy when young. Orange-red and smooth when
ripe. Seen growing along the ghats. Distributed in India (Sikkim, Khasia
Mountains, West Peninsula) and Ceylon.
Ficus racemosa
L.,
A large tree with latex. Leaves simple and alternate. Figs on short,
leafless branches, reddish when ripe. Tree seen in deciduous and semi-evergreen
forests of the ghats. Cultivated also. Considered to be sacred to the Hindus.
Widely distributed in Pakistan, India and South-East Asian countries. Kan:
Attimara.
Ficus religiosa L.,
A large deciduous tree with spreading crown. Leaves simple, cordate
and with long drawn tip. Figs are small, axillary, sessile and globose
pairs. This tree is commonly cultivated near temples considered to be sacred.
Widely distributed from Vietnam to Pakistan. Kan: Ashwatha., Eng: Pepal
tree.
Morus sp.
A large shrub seen only in cultivation. Leaves simple and alternate.
Flowers in drooping spikes called catkins. Fruit is an aggregate of drupelets.
This plant is seen only in cultivation. Introduced from South Asia.
Moringa oleifera Lam.,
A medium sized tree. Leaves compound, 3 pinnate. Flowers in a lax panicles,
white with purple streaks. Fruit is long dehiscent angled 3-valvate capsule.
Seeds many and winged. This tree is probably native of Himalayan tracts
now cultivated in peninsular India for the fruits which are used as a vegetable.
Kan: Nuggekai., Eng: Drum stick.
Ravenella madagascarensis
A palm seen only in cultivation with terminal cluster of serially arranged
leaves. The lamina of the leaf is like banana leaf. Inflorescence is at
the axil of the leaves with pinkish spathe. It is said that this palm stores
water in the axilar portion believed to be a source of water for the travelers
in the desert, hence the name Traveler’s palm. Probably native of Madagascar.
Eng: Traveler’s palm.
Callistemon
speciosus (Sims) DC..
A small tree with drooping branches. Leaves simple, alternate and gland
dotted. Flowers in cylindrical spikes, showy and red. Stamens exerted and
red. Fruit is a capsule. This plant is a common garden plant, introduced
from Australia. Eng: Bottle brush.
Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.
A large tree with smooth and peeling bark. Leaves simple, gland dotted
and variable in shape. Flowers in a panicle, covered by an operculum, white.
Stamens many and exerted. Fruit is a woody capsule. Native of Australia
and introduced elsewhere.
Psidium guajava L.,
A small tree with peeling bark. Leaves simple and opposite. Flowers
single or in pairs at the axils, white and with numerous exerted stamens.
Fruit is a berry and edible. Seen in cultivation for the fruits. Introduced
from Tropical America and now naturalised in tropics. Kan: Seebe., Eng:
Guava.
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels.
A large evergreen tree. Leaves simple, opposite and gland dotted. Flowers
in terminal corymbose panicles. Petals white with numerous exerted stamens.
Fruit a berry, deep purple when ripened and edible. Seed one. This plant
is widely distributed in the deciduous and evergreen forests of the ghats.
It is also seen in the cultivation and grown as an avenue tree. It has
distribution in India, Pakistan and South-Asian Countries. Kan: Neralu.,
Eng: Jamun.
Syzygium hemisphericum
(Wight) Alston.
An evergreen tree. Leaves simple and opposite. Flowers in large terminal
panicles. Petals white. Fruit is a globose berry, yellowish when mature
and edible. Seen in wet deciduous and evergreen forests of the ghats. Seen
also in cultivation for the edible fruits. Has limited distribution in
peninsular part of India and Srilanka. Kan: Pannerale.
Arecastrum romanzoffianum
Becc.
Erect tree with slender trunk, soon shedding the dead leaves. Bole
with gracefully curving long pinnately compound leaves. Flowers in a long
peduncled spadix covered by a spathe. Fruits yellow at maturity, drupe-like,
with short-beak like appendage. Native of Brazil, now much planted as an
avenue and lawn tree. Eng: Queen Palm.
Cocos nucifera L.
Monoecious tree with regular petiolar scars. Leaves pinnately compound.
Flowers in a spadix, small and many. Fruit is a drupe with fibrous mesocarp
and stony endocarp. Endocarp is lined by a pulp and in the centre is filled
with 'coconut milk'. Seen only in the cultivation as a cash crop. The nativity
of the species is doubtful. But successfully grown in tropics. Kan: Tengu.,
Eng: Coconut.
Caryota
urens L.,
A monoecious tree with pinnately compound leaf. Flowers in a inflorescence
called spadix which are in between leaves and pendulous. Flowers inconspicuous
and has many stamens. Fruit is a drupe. This plant is seen in wet and wet
deciduous forests of the ghats. It is also used as a staple food for many
temple elephants. This tree has distribution in India and South-East Asian
countries. Kan: Bhagini., Eng.: Fish Palm.
Phoenix sylvestris (L.)
Roxb.,
A small tree with the trunk marked with rigid scars of the petioles.
Flowers many in the inflorescence called spadix covered by a spathe. Fruit
is a drupe and edible. Seen in scrub jungles and wastelands. Alcoholic
beverage is obtained from this palm. Distributed in India, Srilanka and
Malaya. Kan: Echalu.
Roystonea regia
Tall tree with stem swollen at top. Leaves pinnately compound. Seen
only in cultivation. Eng.: Bottle Palm
Grevillea robusta
A. Cunn ex R.Br.
A tall evergreen tree with alternate and compound leaves. Leaf tip
is sharp has brownish hairs below. Flowers in racemes, orange and small.
Fruit is a boat shaped woody follicle. Seeds two and winged. This tree
is extensively grown in coffee and tea plantations, avenue tree and plantations
for soft-wood is also developed. Native of Australia, now widely grown
in tropics. Eng: Silver oak.
Anthocephalus
chinensis
A large deciduous tree with simple opposite leaves. Leaves with interpetiolar
stipules. Flowers clustered into terminal globose heads. Flowers creamish.
Fruit is aggregate of berry and fleshy. This plant is seen wet deciduous
and semievergreen forest of western ghats. Native of India, found in Srilanka
also. Kan: Cadamba.
Citrus decumana Murr.
A moderate sized tree with softly hairy younger parts.Leaves large
with a notch at the tip,dark green coloured arranged alternately.Lower
surface of the leaf hairy.Flowers white.Stamens about 16 – 24.Fruit is
large pale yellow coloured ,spherical in shape.Rind of the fruit is thick.
Inner parts of the fruit is pale pink coloured. Eng: Pummelo ; Adam’s apple.
Feronia
elephantum Corr.
A moderate sized tree with straight sharp strong spines.Leaves aromatic,alternate,pinnately
compound.Leaflets 5-7 in number,smaller in size.Flowers small,many,dull
red in colour,arranged in panicles.Stamens 10-12.Fruit is globose in shape,hard,woddy,rough
and grey coloured.Seeds are embedded in edible pulp. Eng: Wood apple, Kan:Bela.
Filicium
decipiens (Wight & Arn.) Thwaites.,
An evergreen tree with black bark. Leaves compound, odd pinnate with
rachis broadly winged. Flowers small, greenish in a terminal raceme. Fruit
is a drupe, dark blue when ripened. Common in wet deciduous and semi evergreen
forests of the ghats. Also cultivated in the gardens. Native of Srilanka
and Peninsular India.
Manilkara zapota (L.)
Royen.
A small evergreen tree with milky white latex. Leaves simple and often
clustered at the tips. Flowers clustered or single in the axils of the
leaves. Petals white. Fruit is a berry, globose and brownish and edible.
Seeds black 3-7. This plant is native of South America and now extensively
cultivated in the tropics for the edible fruits. The latex 'chickle' is
also used to manufacture chewing gum. Kan: Sapota
Mimusops elengii L.,
An evergreen tree with bark furrowed. Leaves simple and alternate.
Flowers in clusters or solitary in the axils of leaves. Petals white or
creamish. Fruit is a berry with 1-2 seeds. Seen commonly in semi evergreen
forests of the ghats and also cultivated. Has wide distribution in India,
and South -Asian countries. Kan: Pagadi mara.
Santalum
album L.,
Medium sized semi parasitic evergreen tree. Leaves simple and opposite.
Flowers in terminal racemes, perianth purplish-brown. Fruit is a drupe,
green turns to dark blue on ripening. This tree is common in the dry forests
of the western ghats. Restricted to south India. Kan: Srigandha., Eng:
Sandal wood.
Firmiana colarata
(Roxb.) R.Br.,
A medium sized deciduous tree. Leaves simple, alternate and palmately
lobed. Flowers in racemes, sepals red with hairs outside. Petals absent.
Gynadrophore is present. Fruit is follicle. Common in dry forests of Karnataka.
Found in India, Burma and Srilanka. Kan: Bilisulige.
Pterospermum acerifolium
Willd.,
A large tree. Leaves simple, alternate, has stipules and palmately
ribbed. Flowers in axillary fascicles. Sepals wooly. Fruit is a capsule,
angled and furfuraceaous. This plant is seen only in cultivation. Has distribution
in continental Asia. Doubtfully native.
Guazuma
ulmifolia Lam.,
An evergreen tree. Leaves simple and alternate. Flowers in axillary
bundles. Petals yellow. Fruit is a woody, tubercled indehiscent capsule.
Seeds many. This plant is seen only in the cultivation. This plant is introduced.
Probably native of Tropical America and has naturalised in many parts of
tropics. Eng: the Musket tree.
Callicarpa tomentosa
(L.) Murray.,
An evergreen large shrub or small tree with densely hairy parts. Leaves
simple opposite. Flowers in a terminal cymes, with floral parts in multiples
of four and hairy. Petals purple. Fruit is a red, globose berry. Seed one
each in a locule (4 locules). This plant is commonly seen at the edges
of wet deciduous and evergreen forests of the ghats. Native of peninsular
India. Extends upto Srilanka also.
Tectona grandis L.
A large deciduous tree with quadrangular branches. Leaves simple, opposite
and large. Flowers in a terminal cymes, small and white. Fruit is a drupe.
The fruit is covered by a persistent accrescent calyx, endocarp stony.
Seeds 5. This tree is common in the dry forests of the ghats. The tree
is cultivated in monoculture plantations for the timber. Native of South
Asia and Malaya widely distributed in most old tropics. Kan: Tega., Eng:
Teak.
Vitex altissima L.F.
A densely leafy deciduous tree. Leaves 3 foliate with leaf lamina extended
to petiole to form a wing. Flowers in terminal racemose panicles. petals
purple/pink. Fruit is a purple globose drupe. This plant is seen in the
dry deciduous forests of the ghats usually along the water courses. This
plant is seen mainly in Peninsular India. Kan: Naviladi.
CHECK LIST OF NON-TREES (Includes Herbs, Shrubs and Grasses)
Brunfelsia americana L.
Capsicum annum
Cestrum elegans
Datura matel
Physalis minima
Solanum ferox
Solanum indicum
Solanum laeve
Solanum nigrum
Solanum saeforthianum
Solanum torvum
Withania somnifera
Tiliaceae
