Digital Garden

Mesua ferrea L.

നാഗച്ചെമ്പകം

Family : CLUSIACEAE/GUTTIFERAE

Synonym : Mesua nagassarium (Burm. f.) Kosterm.

Common Names : Churuli, Eliponku, Nagachempakam, Nagakesaram, Nagapoovu, Nangakilkuru, Nangu, Peri, Seemanagapoovu, Vayanaavu, Veluthapala, Indian Rose chestnut, Ceylon Ironwood, Cobra's Saffron, Inagas tree, Ironwood, Mesua, Nagas tree, Penaga Lili

Flowering Period : April-July

Distribution : Indo-Malesia

Habitat : Evergreen forests

Uses : Source of heavy hardwood with high density and durability similar to ebony, and dark reddish-brown heartwood. Used for heavy construction. Plant parts possess anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-haemorrhagic and anti-helmintic (deworming) properties, traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. Seed oil also used to relieve skin itch, dandruff and rheumatism. Leaves used to treat fever, sore eyes and leprosy. Fresh flowers used to improve digestion and as cough remedy. Flowers used for their fragrance in perfumery (Nagchampa perfume), incense, cosmetics and soaps.

Key Characters :

Trees; bark ash or grey coloured, reddish when cut. Leaves red and pendulous when young, simple, opposite, 8-12 x 2-4.5 cm, elliptic to oblong- lanceolate, base broadly attenuate or rounded, apex acuminate or cuspidate, coriaceous, shiny above, glaucous beneath and generally covered with a wax-like white powder beneath; nerves many, close and parallel; petiole to 1 cm long. Flowers white, scented, solitary or in pairs at axils, bisexual, 4.5-5.5 cm, across. Sepals 4 in two pairs, 1.3-1.6 cm long, broadly ovate, persistent. Petals 4, sometimes 5, white with brown veins, 2.5-3.5 x 1.3-1.5 cm, obovate or obcordae, margins curled. Stamens numerous; anthers yellow. Ovary 4-6 mm long, ovoid; ovules 2 in each locule; stigma peltate. Fruits 2-2.5 x 1.5-2 cm, ovoid; seeds 1-4, pyriform, dark brown.