| Binomial
|
Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa
|
| Family |
Malvaceae
|
| Tamil Name |
Poovarasu (பூவரசு)
|
| Tree |
Medium sized, evergreen with dense crown, spreading like an umbrella.
|
| Flowers |
Yellow, cup-shaped, with a maroon eye that turns purple.
|
| Flowering Period |
Almost throughout the year
|
| Fruits |
A rounded capsule.
|
| Pollinators |
Insects and sunbird |
| Country of origin |
India |
| About the tree |
Being a valuable coastal windbreak due to its high resistance to wind and its ability to grow well in sandy, saline soils, this tree is popularly known as a ‘living fence’. Several dyes (black, deep brown and yellowish) can be obtained from this tree (leaves, wood, fruits and flowers respectively). Urinary tract problems and abdominal swellings are treated using the crushed fruit of this tree. The leaves are used for wrapping food. Being durable under water, Thespesia populnea is preferred for building boats. It is used to make the thavil, a Carnatic musical instrument of South India.
|
| Location on campus |
https://goo.gl/maps/m45bpYouL3TEHUHD8 |
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