Canarium strictum Roxb.

BURSERACEAE

Vernacular names:

Hindi Kannada Malayalam Marathi Sanskrit Tamil Telugu

- Kala-damar
- Hale maddu, Mada dhup, Kari dhoopa - Thelli, Pantham, Kunthirikkam
- Dhup, Raldhup
- Mandadhupa, Raladhupa
- Sambrani, Karunkungilium
- Nalla rojanamu

Threat status:
Vulnerable (A 1 c,d) - KA, KL & TN

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Moist deciduous to evergreen forests

Altitude: 750 - 1400 m

Distribution: Global: Indo-Burma. National: Northeast and southern India. Regional: Common throughout the Western Ghats from moist deciduous to evergreen forests of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, occasionally seen in the Eastern Ghats of Kolli hills also.

Description: A large resinous tree, reaching 40 m tall. Trunk straight, cylindrical, about 4 m girth. Bark about 1 cm thick, rough, greyish brown, exfoliating into small irregular flakes; outer bark brittle and inner bark fibrous, inner surface slimy to touch, exudes gummy sap when cut, which turns black and hard later. Blaze fragrant, dull yellow. Young branchlets densely brown tomentose. Leaves alternate, simply odd-pinnate, large, reaching 1.2 m length; leaflets 9-11 , egg-shaped-elliptic to egg-shaped­lanceolate, opposite or alternate, 7-30 x 5-15 cm, base unequal and rounded, apex acuminate, margin finely toothed with saw-like teeth, leathery, densely brown tomentose beneath, deep red when young with dense velvety tomentose hairs; lateral nerves 10-20 pairs, very prominent below. Flowers bisexual or polygamous, in shortly branched axillary panicles, about 1 cm long, yellow to dull white, shortly stalked and mildly fragrant. Drupes ellipsoid or oblongoid, 3-5 x 1.5-2 cm, tapering at both ends, dark blue when ripe. Seeds 1-3.

Phenology: Leaf fall: December to January; Tender leaves: January to February; Flowering: February to April; Fruiting: April to August

Medicinal uses: Decoction or powder of the resin is given orally as a remedy for rheumatism, cough, fever, epilepsy, asthma, syphilis, blood impurities, various poisons, hernia, chronic skin diseases and haemorrage. Also to improve complexion.

Trade information: Local and commercial. The resin and wood are traded under the name Raldhoop, Kungulium, Kungulepam, Karun kungilium in Delhi and Madurai markets. Resin sold at As.50/Kg. in Delhi market in 1999.

Mode of propagation: By seeds

Special characters: This giant tree with glittering brown hard resin and striking red young foliage covered with dense brown tomentose hairs draws immediate attention of anyone.