Gardenia gummifera L.f.

RUBIACEAE

 

Vernacular names:

Hindi                - Oikamali

Kannada           - Kat kambi, Kambi pisin, Bikki gida

Malayalam         - Gandharajan, Somanadikayam

Marathi             - Oekamali, Karmarri

Sanskrit            - Nadihingu, Gandharaj

Tamil                - Kambi, Vella pavetta, Thikka ma/li

Telugu              - Bikki, Sirubikki, Manchibikki, Tellamanga

 

Threat status: Vulnerable (A 1 c) - Globally

 

Habit: Small trees

 

Habitat: In degraded slopes and thickets of dry forests

 

Altitude: 80 -1100 m

 

Distribution: Endemic to Peninsular India. Regional: Drier zones of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Few plants have been reported in Marayur forest, Chinnar, Idukki district, Kerala by Dr. N. Sasidharan, forming a new report for Kerala. In Maharashtra, reported only from the hill forests of Raighad district. Common in dry forests in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

 

Description: A small tree or large shrub, 3-7 m tall. Branchlets twisted, crooked, brittle. Barkthin, smooth, greyish .brown. Wood yellowish white, hard and close-grained. Leaves opposite, inverted egg-shaped to oblong, 4-8 x 2-4 cm, base rounded to slightly heart-shaped, apex abtusely acute, margin entire, leathery, nearly stalkless; lateral nerves 10-16 pairs, distinct, with a dot-like gland known as 'domatia' at the axil of each nerve. Flowers bisexual, solitary, axillary; corolla-tube 3-5 cm long with 5 spreading lobes at apex which is about 5 cm across, white turning yellow, fragrant. Berries ellipsoid to oblong, about 4 x 3 cm, smooth, not prominently ribbed. Seeds many, minute.

 

Phenology: Leaf fall: December to January; New foliage: February; Flowering: March to May; Fruiting: April onwards

 

Medicinal uses: Resin from leaf buds is used in curing wounds, indigestion, gas trouble, piles, chronic coughs, neuropathy, anorexia, colic, foul ulcers, intestinal worms (especially round worms), cardiac debility, leprosy, skin diseases, intermittent fever, enlargement of the spleen and obesity.

 

Trade information: Local, regional and national. The gum is traded under the name Oikamali gum, priced at Rs.20 to 100/Kg. (Market studies, 1999-2000). Market samples generally consist of gum attached to the twigs.

 

Mode of propagation: By seeds and stem cuttings

 

Special characters: Twisted branchlets, yellow glistening resin at the tip of young leaves, presence of gland dots at the axils of lateral nerves in leaves, attractive fragrant white flowers (turning yellow) and egg­shaped fruits resembling 'guavas' are striking field characters.