| Binomial |
Adenanthera pavonina L.
|
| Family |
Fabaceae
|
| Tamil Name |
Aanai Kundumani (ஆனை குண்டுமணி)/Manchaadi Muthu (மஞ்சாடி முத்து))
|
| Tree |
Medium sized
|
| Flowers |
Small, fragrant, greenish-yellow/cream-coloured and borne on spike inflorescence.
|
| Flowering Period |
Almost throughout the year.
|
| Fruits |
Pods linear, flattened, with slight constrictions between seeds, dark brown, turning brown upon ripening, leathery, dehiscent from top to bottom by twisting valves to reveal 8-12 hard-coated, vivid scarlet, lens shaped seeds; seeds adhere to pod. Ripened fruits can remain on the tree for long periods, sometimes until the following reproductive season.
|
| Pollinators |
Insects |
| Country of origin |
South East Asia
|
| About the tree |
In the past, the seeds of this tree were used as units of measurements in India due to their negligible differences in weight. The raw seeds are toxic, but may be eaten when cooked. The red seeds, often used to play with, are very much loved by children. Adenanthera pavonina seeds have long been a symbol of love in China. The pulverized wood, mixed with water, is taken orally for treating migraines and headaches. The bark can be used as soap for washing clothes while on shredding, a red dye is obtained which is commonly used by Hindus for the sacred mark placed on the forehead.
|
| Location on campus |
https://goo.gl/maps/jr7aZVV1e2ap82Q1A |
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