| Binomial |
Madhuca longifolia Roxb.
|
| Family |
Sapotaceae
|
| Tamil Name |
Iluppai (இலுப்பை)
|
| Tree |
Medium sized evergreen tree with milky sap.
|
| Bark |
Grey-brown, rough, lightly fissured.
|
| Flowers |
Creamy-white in dense clusters, with nutty-musky smell. Petals form a fleshy tube with a long protruding style.
|
| Flowering Period |
April- August
|
| Pollinators |
Bats |
| Country of origin |
India
|
| About the tree |
Among local tribes of Central India, these flowers are fermented to produce an alcoholic drink known as mahua. Mahua pickle is prepared from the dried flowers of this tree and when they are fermented, can be ground into flour and used to make various kinds of bread. Oil extracted from the seeds serve as a source for cooking and when further processed and refined, is called Mahua Butter, best used in cosmetics. The seed cakes obtained after extraction of oil constitute very good fertilizer. A decoction of the bark is given to diabetic patients in Nepal. |
| Location on campus |
https://goo.gl/maps/dHTkdqd4TdMVcMoh |
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