Tectona grandis L. f.

തേക്ക്

Family : Verbenaceae

Synonym : Jatus grandis (L.f.) Kuntze

Common Names : Thekku,Teak, Indian Oak

Flowering Period : May – January

Distribution : South and South East Asia

Habitat : Moist deciduous forests, also raised in plantations

Uses : Timber yielding. A wood tar paste is made from the powdered wood by putting it into hot water. It is vermifuge; promotes digestion; is effective in relieving bilious headaches and tooth aches; reduces inflammations or eruptions of the skin. The bark has been used as an astringent and in the treatment of bronchitis. The flowers are diuretic. They are used to treat biliousness, bronchitis and urinary disorders. Oil extracted from the seeds promotes hair growth.

Key Characters :

Teaks are deciduous trees, bark yellowish-brown, rough. Leaves simple, opposite, ovate, margin entire. Flowers bisexual, white, in terminal cymose panicles. Calyx, campanulate, lobes 5-6, subequal, ovate, tomentose. Corolla, lobes 5-6, oblong, spreading. Stamens 5-6, equal, erect, inserted at the throat, exserted; anthers oblong. Ovary globose, superior, densely hairy, 4-celled, 1 ovule in each cell. Fruit a drupe.