Trees @ XLRI

Sago Palm

2008-12-29T08:12:00.000-08:00

Other names: Cycas circinalis, queen sago, false sago, fern palm

Identification: Like other cycads, the queen sago resembles a palm tree with its featherlike leaves arranged in a rosette that crowns a single trunk. In older specimens some branching may occur, producing very handsome plants with multiple crowns. The dark green pinnate leaves grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) in length with narrow 12 in (30.5 cm) leaflets that curve gracefully downward. New leaves are light green and contrast dramatically with the older foliage.

Description: This is a great plant that is relatively easy to grow and that lends a real sense of the tropics to any environment. Queen sago is readily available for a reasonable price from garden centers and nurseries in frostfree areas of the country. This species is Gymnosperm, dieocious, with male and female reproductive parts on separate plants. In late winter the male and female "cones" emerge from the centers of the plants. Pollen from the male cones fertilizes the female cones. A colorful show results later in the season when female plants produce large orange seeds in a conelike structure located in the center of the rosette of leaves.
Uses: Queen sago is great for entryways and other landscaping. It is especially effective when used as a focal point on a large expanse of lawn.

Where to find in XLRI: Small lawn next to entrance of GH3 hostel
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Useful Links:
http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cyca_cir.cfm

Rain Tree

2008-12-26T19:28:00.000-08:00

Other names: Belaiti Siris (Bengali/Hindi), Enal-vakai(Tamil), Plavu (Malayalum), Rain tree, coco tamarind, monkey pod, Samanea saman

Identification: Rain tree is easily recognized by its characteristic umbrella-shaped canopy. When grown in the open, the tree usually reaches 15–25 m (50–80 ft) in height with a canopy diameter wider than the tree is height. The bark of the tree is dark grey in colour and bear horizontal weals. The trunk normally branches quite low down. The green cover remains dotted all over with pink and white colours during the period starting from the month of March to May and also towards the end of the year. Usually only a few flowers can be found during the rest of the year. The flowers of the tree appear like encircled and silken bunches.

Description: It is a very large and spreading type of tree and can very easily be identified. It has a wide shelter of evergreen, soft foliage and also the drafts of pink flowers. Native to North America and has naturalized throughout tropical environment. It is well suited for public areas, parks due to its wide canopy.

Uses: Used as shade tree in various places, including cultivation of other crops. Timber used for various purposes.

Where to find in XLRI: infront of Old Ladies hostel entrance, Huge tree behind cafeteria, behind GH3
Count:

Useful Links:
www.agroforestry.net/tti/Samanea-raintree.pdf
www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Samanea_saman.html
http://www.indianetzone.com/4/the_rain_tree.htm

Teak

2008-12-26T01:05:00.000-08:00

Other names:Tectona grandis, Sagon, Sagwan

Identification: Sagwan is a tall, deciduous tree. It has an erect trunk, a cylindrical bole and an umbrella like beautiful crown. It tends to be fluted at the base. Its bark is thin, fibrous and light brown or gray in color peeling off in long thin strips. Leaves are simple, opposite, large i.e. 30 to 50 cm x 25 cm, round, broad, pointed and thick in structure. New leaves appear in May-June. Teak flowers, which appear in July-August, are branched, 50 to 100 cm long whitish cymes. Individual florets are small and round with diameter of about 4 mm. The fruit appear in August-September and ripen between November and January.

Description: It is the popular plantation tree. It grows well in warm climate and well-drained soil. It grows naturally in central and southern India and is propagated artificially in the Indo-Gangetic plains, and the foothills from Bengal to Haryana and Punjab on comparatively lesser scale.

Uses: Apart from quality timber it provides, Sagwan has number of medicinal uses. According to Ayurveda, wood 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. Wood is good for headache, biliousness, burning sensation and pain and liver related troubles. It allays thirst and possess anthelmintic and expectorant properties. If you rub the leaves against your hand, it turns dark red. The leaves yield a kind of dye which is used locally in coloring clothes, edibles, etc.

Where to find in XLRI: Between the main road and Tata Auditorium, just near Admin entrance
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Useful Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teak
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/sagon.html
Medical use
Against snake bite

Eucalyptus Tree

2008-12-23T09:06:00.002-08:00

Other names: Tailapatra, Sugandhapatra, Tailaprana, and Nilgiri Taila, Eucalyptus globulus

Identification: Eucalyptus is a tall evergreen tree. It attains the height of more than 300 feet. Leaves of the tree on juvenile shoots are opposite, sessile, cordate-ovate and covered with a bluish white bloom. The adult leaves are alternate, lanceolate and are 6-12 inches long and 1-2 inches broad. It flowers are cream in colour. The appearance of its bark varies with the age of the tree. Its bark consists of long fibers and can be can be pulled off in long pieces.

Description:Eucalyptus, grows throughout the dry areas of India. It is a large tree with quadrangular stems. Eucalyptus is an exotic specie introduced in India as part of a drive to reforest the subcontinent, and create an adequate supply of fuel and timber for rural communities under the augur of ‘social forestry’. However this has resulted polemical debate, particularly between environmentalists and foresters / policy makers. Foresters maintain that Eucalyptus can help meet increasing wood demands from dwindling natural forests, supplying local communities and industry alike. Environmentalists, however, are opposed to Eucalyptus due to perceived ecological hazards and the charge that the choice of species is fundamentally flawed; that Eucalyptus is ill equipped to serve the variety of diverse end uses demanded of tree species in India for community use.

Uses: Eucalyptus is known for its use either as an essential oil or leaf tea for its ability to relieve congestion and ease breathing in colds. It oil is also used as the pain reliever foe sore and overextended muscles. The essential oil of Eucalyptus contains cineole, a potent antiseptic that helps in killing the bacteria and fungi. It helps in increasing cardiac action. It is taken in all types of fever. It helps in purifying the blood. It lowers the blood sugar. It brings relief to the patients of Asthma and bronchitis. It is the excellent topical remedy for aching joints and rheumatism. It helps in improving the blood circulation. Eucalyptus is used as the pulpwood in the manufacture of the paper as well as raw material. It is used as the poles for the construction of huts and houses. It is used in making plywood, doors and windows.

Where to find in XLRI: Around the Admin building fountain
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Useful Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus
http://www.india9.com/i9show/Eucalyptus-37862.htm
The Debate

Copperpod tree

2008-12-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

Other names: Peltophorum pterocarpum, Copper pod, Yellow gulmohar, Yellow flamboyant, Rusty shield bearer, Yellow poinciana, Radha chura(Bengali)

Identification: It is an upright, semi - evergreen tree, growing up to 50' tall. It has dark green leathery leaflets, fragrant, yellow flowers and an an elongated seedpod containing one to four seeds. It forms a spreading crown of many branches consisting of feathery mimosa like leaves and abundance of bright yellow blooms. The tree is much cultivated as an ornamental and is often planted alternately with Gul Mohur. When the copper-red seedpods cover the tree in profusion it is a wonderful sight. The flowering season commences at the end of February and reaches its peak in the middle of April. The canary-yellow flowers, with strangely crinkled petals, clustered on upright stalks at the end of branches, presents a breath-taking view in summer.

Description: Copper pod tree is a native of tropical Asia and North Australia. During the flowering season, the flowers fall off the tree and are strewn on the ground, forming a radiant carpet of bright gold. This is the secret of fine yellow carpet spread on the roads near JLT and faculty houses.

Uses: The bark is used in various preparations as a tonic or an astringent to cure or relieve liver and intestinal disorders, sprains, bruises and swellings or as a lotion for eye infections, muscular pains and sores. The root, on the other hand, is used in sickness during pregnancy, to arrest heavy bleeding during child birth and also, in treating tuberculosis. The copper pods are planted in areas close to thermal power plants and cement factories as they are efficient in trapping dust and other suspended particulates. These trees being excellent shade providers are home to many birds and animals such as golden orioles, coppersmith barbers, spotted doves, mynas, squirrels. The pollen and nectar attract bees and insects in turn attract insectivorous birds. However, Copper pod pollen is a potent aeroallergen causing allergic disorders in sensitive patients. The timber is used for cabinet work.

Where to find in XLRI: Around JLT and Faculty residence area ground, Bodhi tree
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Useful Links:
The yellow flame tree
http://www.sriaurobindosociety.org.in/flrarch/flrmay00.htm
http://www.floridata.com/ref/P/pelt_pte.cfm
http://www.isibang.ac.in/~bhat/peltho.html

Red Silk Cotton Tree

2008-12-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

Other names: Silk Cotton Tree, Simal, Red Cotton Tree, Indian Kapok and Bombax malabaricum

Identification: Red Silk cotton species are among the largest trees in their regions, reaching 30 to 40 metres in height and up to 3 metres trunk diameter. The leaves are compound with entire margins and deciduous, being shed in the dry-season. They measure 30 to 50 cm across and are palmate in shape with 5 to 9 leaflets. They bear 5 to 10 cm long red flowers between January and March while the tree is still leafless.

Description: Bombax is a genus of primarily tropical trees in the mallow family. They are native to tropical areas in western Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, as well as sub-tropical regions of East Asia and northern Australia.

Uses:

Where to find in XLRI: Lawn between Admin building, Main road and GH3
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Useful Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombax
http://www.haryana-online.com/Flora/semul.htm
Old Tribal Legend
http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Silk%20Cotton%20Tree.html

Royal Palm Tree

2008-12-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

Other name: Oreodoxa Regia (meaning Mountain Glory), Bottle Palm

Identification: Quite graceful and can achieve the height of about 20 m in general. The tree can easily decorate the avenues very nicely if you plant them there. The stem of the tree is straight and it does not contain any branches. The bark of the tree is silky and of palest grey in colour. It is ringed very evenly as well. A polished, green coloured column formed by the leaf sheaths rises from this sharply divided grey bole. After enlarging at its base, from the summit emerges a bunch that is consist of a large number of long and arched leaves. The leaves of the Royal Palm Tree are jam-packed with some narrow leaflets that are normally 75 cm in length. These leaflets are inserted alternately in opposite ways.

Description: This species has been imported to India. Found across most of the parks in India.

Uses: The tree is really a graceful one and it is extensively cultivated in India. People normally plant the Royal Palm Tree` in the parks and in their gardens.

Where to find in XLRI: Admin Area
Count:

Useful Links:
http://www.indianetzone.com/4/royal_palm_tree.htm

Jamun

2008-12-23T05:09:00.000-08:00

Other name: Jambul, Jamun, Jamblang, Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium cumini

Identification: Of course from the fruits! Bike owners who park their bikes below the tree during the fruit season knows! The fruits fall off from the tree when ripe and colour the ground deep purple. Jamun trees start flowering from March to April. The flowers of Jamun are fragrant and small, about 5 mm in diameter. The fruits develop by May or June. The fruit is oblong, ovoid, starts green and turns pink to shining crimson black as it matures. A variant of the tree produces white coloured fruit.

Description: Jamun is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae, native to India, Pakistan and Indonesia.

Uses: Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. The wood is strong and is water resistant. Because of this it is used in railway sleepers and to install motors in wells. It is sometimes used to make cheap furniture and village dwellings though it is relatively hard to work on. The seed is also used in various alternative healing systems like Ayurveda (to control diabetes), Unani and Chinese medicine for digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and gingivitis. Wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit. It has a high source in vitamin A and vitamin C.

Where to find in XLRI: One at the side of Admin building entrance and road.
Count: 1 (as on Dec 2008)

Useful Links:
www.nal.res.in/pdf/ff/38.pdf
http://www.haryana-online.com/flora/jamun.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jambool

Ashoka Tree

2008-12-23T04:57:00.000-08:00

Other name: Polyalthia longifolia, false Ashoka, Asopalav (Gujarati), green champa, Indian mast tree, Indian fir tree. This is commonly known as Ashoka tree, but is not the true Ashoka tree.

Identification: It is a lofty evergreen tree, native to India. It exhibits symmetrical pyramidal growth with willowy weeping pendulous branches and long narrow lanceolate leaves with undulate margins. The tree is known to grow over 30 ft in height. Fresh leaves are a coppery brown color and are soft and delicate to touch, as the leaves grow older the color becomes a light green and finally a dark green. In spring the tree is covered with delicate star-like pale green flowers. The flowers are not conspicuous due to their color. Fruit are borne in clusters of 10-20. Initially green but turning purple or black when ripe

Description: It is commonly planted due to its effectiveness in alleviating noise pollution. It is introduced in gardens in many tropical countries around the world. In XLRI these trees are home to hundreds of sparrows. Bulbuls can be frequently sighted on these trees.

Uses: The leaves are good and for ornamental decoration and used in festivals. The tree is a main attraction in gardens throughout India. The tree can be cut into various shapes and maintained in required sizes. Methanolic extracts of Polyalthia longifolia have yielded 20 known and two new organic compounds, some of which show cytotoxic properties.

Where to find in XLRI: JLT
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Useful Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyalthia_longifolia
http://bio.fiu.edu/trees/sp_pages/Polyalthia_longifolia.html

Queen of Flowers

2008-12-23T04:51:00.000-08:00

Other names: Lagerstroemia speciosa, Pride of India, Giant Crape-myrtle, Queen's Crape-myrtle, Banabá Plant,

Identification: It is a deciduous or semi-deciduous small to medium-sized or rarely large tree up to 40(45) m tall; bole fairly straight to crooked, branchless for up to 18 m, up to 100(-150) cm in diameter, often fluted and sometimes with small buttresses, bark surface smooth or with small papery flakes, grey to light fawn-brown mottled, inner bark fibrous, grey-fawn to yellow, turning dirty brown or purple upon exposure; crown usually bushy and spreading. Leaves opposite, distichous, simple, entire, stipules minute or absent.

Flowers in a large, axillary or terminal panicle, often showy, calyx funnel or bell shaped, 6(9) lobed, petals often 6, inserted near the mouth of the calyx tube, white to pink or purple, clawed, wrinkled, stamens many, in several rows, ovary superior, 3-6 locular with many ovules in each cell, style 1. Fruit a large woody capsule on the persistent calyx. Seed with an apical wing.

Description: This is one of only a few deciduous trees which grow in tropical and subtropical areas of the country. Its the reccomended tree for buffer strips around parking lots or highway. It is popular shade tree or residential street tree. The tree has been successfully grown in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage compacted soil, and/or drought are common.

Uses: Ornamental tree. Banaba extract is used as a natural health supplement and is made from the leaves of the banaba tree. Some research suggests that banaba extract may support blood sugar balance and weight loss. The primary active ingredient is corosolic acid, and there are also numerous possible synergists including lager-stroemin, flosin B and reginin A. Corosolic acid has actions in stimulating glucose transport into cells and thus behaves similarly to insulin. Wood is used for construction.

Where to find in XLRI: Right side along the main road, just before TMDC turn
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Useful Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia_speciosa
http://ctfs.si.edu/webatlas/findinfo.php?specid=4096&leng=english
http://www.soylabs.com/formula/lagerstroemia_speciosa.htm
http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/LAGSPEA.pdf