DIGITAL LIBRARY@ VIDHYAVANAM

  മലയാളത്തിൽ വായിക്കാൻ CHAMPAK Scientific Name :  Michelia champaca Synonyms: Michelia blumei Family:  Magnoliaceae Local Names:  ചെമ്പകം, കോട്ടച്ചെമ്പകം (Malayalam) Habit:  Medium sized evergreen tree Habitat:  Evergreen forests and also planted Ecological Importance:       Chapak is the larval host plant of several butterflies including  Tailed Jay  and  Common Jay .  Economic Importance:       Ornamental tree good for gardens and avenues     Perfume is made from its flower     Timber is used for furniture making     Flower is used as a medicine in the treatment of Kapha and Pitha.    flower fruits Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department  Research Unit, Peermade  

  മലയാളത്തിൽ വായിക്കാൻ JAMUN Scientific Name :  Syzigium cumini Synonyms: Syzigium fruticosum Family:  Myrtaceae Local Names:  ഞാവൽ, ഞാറ  (Malayalam) Habit:  Medium sized evergreen tree Habitat:  Evergreen to Dry deciduous forests and also cultivated for its fruits.  Ecological Importance:  Jamun is the l arval host plant for many butterflies including   Large Oak Blue ,   Centuare Oak Blue ,  Long Banded Silverline   etc. It provides fleshy fruits to birds and animals during rainy season.  Economic Importance:       Fruits are edible and is used to make pickles, jam and vinegar.     Seeds, leaves and bark are anti-diabetic      Leaves used as fodder.    Inflorescence fruits As per Indian Astrology, Jamun is the  Star tree  of the birth star Rohini  (List of Star Trees) Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department  Research Unit, Peermade ...

  മലയാളത്തിൽ വായിക്കാൻ Malabar Nutmeg Scientific Name : Myristica Malabarica Synonyms: Myristica dactyloides Family:  Myristicaceae Local Names: കാട്ടുജാതി,  പൊന്നാംപൂ,  പത്തിരി, പൊന്നാംപൈന്‍ (Malayalam) Habit:  Medium sized tree Habitat: Endemic to Western Ghats. Seen in Evergreen forests especially in Myristica Swamp Forests and muddy areas.  Ecological Importance:  Capable of growing in swamps and waterlogged areas. Prevent soil erosion. Economic Importance:  Its fruit maze is used as wild spice and as an adultarant for Nutmeg maze.   The dye prepared from the resin oozing from cut bark was used to colour clothes to permanent brown. resin from the blaze leaves fruit Maze   Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department Research Unit.Peermade

 CORNELIAN Malayalam Name:  കനിതുരപ്പൻ Scientific Name:  Deudorix epijarbas Family: Lycanidae Identification: Black and Orange butterfly. Black forewings with large Orange spot and Orange hind wings with black veins Larval Host Plants: Sapindus trifoliatus ,  Life cyle:  Pupa butterfly underside Cornelian Gem Stone BACK TO  ചവക്കായ ( Small Soap Nut Tree )

      മലയാളത്തിൽ വായിക്കുക Poon spar of Travancore Scientific Name:  Calophyllum calaba Synonym:  Calophyllum burmanii Local Name:   ചെറുപുന്ന, മ‍ഞ്ഞപ്പുന്ന, ആറ്റുപുന്ന Family:  Calophyllaceae Habitat:  Evergreen and Semi-evergreen forests and in coastal sandy areas. Also seen in Sacred Groves. Very good for afforestation of coastal sandy area. Habit:  Evergreen medium sized tree Ecological significance : It is a shade plant that grows is saline coastal area and act as a barrier to wind. Economic Importance:   Timber is hard and durable and is used to make plywood, packing cases, low cost furnitue. Fruit is edible and seeds are used for extracting oil that was used for lightening lamps and can be used for making bio-diesel.  flowers Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department  Social Forestry Division  Pathanamthitta

  മലയാളത്തിൽ വായിക്കാൻ Small Soap Nut Tree Local Names:  ചവക്കായ, ഉറിഞ്ചിക്ക ,പശകൊട്ട   (Malayalam) Scientific Name : Sapindus trifolius L. Synonyms: Sapindus laurifolius  Vahl Family: Sapindaceae Habit: Medium sized tree Habital: Dry deciduous forests Ecological Importance: It is the larval host plat of the butterfly named   Cornelian   ( Deudorix epijarbas).  Economic Importance:  In old times, its fruit pulp was used extensively as soap for washing clothes in India. Uses: The fruit pulp make lather and is being used for washing clothes. It is a natural alternative to detergent soaps. It has anti-fungal, anti-fungal, insecticidal properties.  It is used for making Ayurvedic shampoos and hair oils. It has a mild insecticidal property and is effective against Head lice. Fruits are used as medicine for the treatment of asthma, eczema, psoriasis etc. Roots and bark are considered as mild expectorant and demulcent. Leaf with 2-3 pair of acumi...