Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. 

ആവിൽ

Family : ULMACEAE

Synonym : Ulmus integrifolius Roxb.

Common Names : Aavel, Aavil, Avelkurunnu, Njettaval, Njetavil, Indian elm, Jungle cork tree, Kanju

Flowering Period : ആവിൽ

Distribution : Indo-Malesia

Habitat : Semi-evergreen forests, also in the plains

Uses : The unripe fruit is eaten. The bark and leaves are used for treating oedema, diabetes, leprosy and other skin diseases, intestinal disorders, piles and sprue. A poultice of the bark and leaves is applied topically to treat boils, swellings and rheumatic pains. The bark is used externally as a treatment for rheumatism, ringworm, scabies, ulcers and scorpion stings. The seed and a paste of the stem bark is used in treating ringworm. The wood is a light, yellowish grey; there is no distinction between the sapwood and the heartwood. The wood is strong and moderately hard. It is easy to work and capable of a beautiful polished finish. Of little importance, though it is used locally for purposes such as construction, making carts and for carving statues etc.

Key Characters :

Large deciduous trees, to 25 m high, bark 6-8 mm thick, whitish-grey, smooth; blaze yellowish-grey, streaked with light brown; branchlets pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate; stipules lateral, scarious; petiole 5-10 mm, stout, pubescent; lamina 6-12.5 x 2.5-6.5 cm, ovate-oblong, ovate or elliptic-ovate, base rounded or subcordate, apex acuminate, margin entire, distantly serrate when young, coriaceous, glabrous above, appressed pubescent punctate below; lateral nerves 6-9 pairs, pinnate, prominent, intercostae reticulate, prominent. Flowers polygamous, appear before leaves, 5-8 mm across, greenish-purple, in axillary fascicles; tepals 4 or 5, free, anthers pubescent; female flowers with longer pedicels; ovary superior, compressed, long stipitate, 2-winged, 1-celled, ovule 1; style 2 fid. Fruit a samara, 3 cm across, orbicular, wings nerved, glabrous, seed one.