BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION SYSTEM
Plants of Western Ghats

Myristica malabarica

Common Name     -  MALBAR NUTMEG

Valid Name      -  Myristica malabarica Lamk.

Synonyms        -  

Vernacular      -  Eng. - Malabar Nutmeg
                   Kan. - Jadikai, Rampatre, Kanagi
                   Mal. - Ponnam - panu, Panampalka
                   Mar. - Panjayphal
                   Tam. - Patthiri, Katjathika

Allied Species -   Myristica dactyloides Gaertn.

     Trees, 15-20 m. Leaves elliptic - oblong, 8 - 14 x 3 - 4 cm, 
brown  beneath;  nerves 10 pairs, reticulation  more  obvious  on 
upper surface. Flowers yellow, in dichasial cymes. Perianth lobes 
subglabrous. Fruits densely tomentose, yellow, 6 - 10 x 4 - 6 cm, 
tomentum deciduous.

Herbarium - KFP 8823

Habitat       -  Evergreen forests

Distribution  -  Global - India
                 India - Western Ghats (Endemic)
                 Western Ghats - Savanthwadi (Mah.)
                 Districts - Uttara Kannada, Hassan, Chikmangalur, 
                             Coorg (Karn.);
                             Cannanore,   Palakkad,    Trivandrum 
                             (Kerala); 
                             Tamil Nadu;
                             Goa
   
Abundance    -   Occassional

Uses       -  General   - Adultrant of/ alternative of Nutmeg

Threat Status     -  Moderate

Forces            -  Overharvest of fruits (and seeds) 

Protective Areas  -  Silent Valley

Measures          -  Reduce overharvest of fruits and seeds.  Try 
                     underplanting in forests through seed dibbling