Madhuca longifolia (J.Konig ex L.) Macbr.

Bassia longifolia J.Konig ex L.

SAPOTACEAE

 

Vernacular names:

Hindi             - Mahva, Mohva

Kannada        - Hippe mars, Ippi, Erappe

Malayalam      - IIuppa

Marathi          - Moha, Mahuwa

Sanskrit         - Madhuka, Madhukam

Tamil             - IIuppai, Nattu iluppai

Telugu           - Ippa

 

 

Threat status:

Vulnerable (A 1 c) - KA

Not Evaluated - KL

Lower Risk least concern - TN

 

Habit: Tree

 

Habitat: Coastal plains to deciduous forests

 

Altitude: Up to 1000 m

 

Distribution: Global: Peninsular India and Sri Lanka (doubtful in Myanmar). National: Warmer parts of India and tropical Himalayas. Regional: Common in the drier zones of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is often planted as an avenue tree along the roadsides. In Tamil Nadu, frequently planted around temples as a sacred tree.

 

Description: A large deciduous tree, 10-30 m tall and about 3 m girth. Bark about 1 cm thick, rough, brownish-grey with many vertical fur­rows, pealing-off into about 5 mm thick flakes, exuding white sticky thick latex. Blaze reddish pink. Wood red, close-grained. Leaves alter­nate, usually crowded at the ends of branchlets, linear-Ianceolate or oblong-Ianceolate, 10-18 x 2-4 em, slightly leathery, base and apex acute, margin entire, hairless, distinctly stalked; lateral nerves 14-16 pairs. Flowers bisexual, axillary and solitary, 1.5-2 cm long, with prominent stalk; corolla sub-fleshy, with 2 rows of petals, cream-coloured, fragrant. Berries un­equally ovoid or ellipsoid, about 5 x 2 cm, with narrow tips, fleshy, with brown hairs. Seeds 1-3, ellipsoid, about 3 x 1 em, black, smooth and shiny; inner part (kernel) whitish yellow, flat, fleshy.

 

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

 

Notes: K.Balasubramanyam et al (1985) report its occurrence in ever­green and semi-evergreen forests at low level in north and central Kerala. Needs confirmation.

 

Medicinal uses: Bark is used for treatment of rheumatic diseases, fever, itching, diarrhoea, haemorrhage, ulcers and boils. A poultice of this plant is used for treatment of eczema, ulcers and swellings. Hot poultice of leaves is used to relieve sprains. and fractures. Flowers are used to quench thirst and prevent cough. Initial product of distillation of fermented flowers is used as tonic in fevers. Baked flowers and sesamum seeds are used to treat cough and cold. Seed oil is used in the treat­ment of skin diseases.

 

Trade information: Local, regional and national. Seeds and flowers are sold under the name Mohwa seed and Mohwa flower. Procurement price of Rs.139/Kg. was recorded for the dry flowers (Bangalore, 1998).

 

Mode of propagation: By seeds, coppices, grafts and buddings

 

Special characters: Bark exuding sticky milky latex, new flesh of leaves pinkish red, flowers emitting a blend of sweet and unpleasantodour, fleshy fruits resembling sapota and fruits often eaten by bats. The trunk is commonly infected with 'gall' formations seen in the form of irregu­larly shaped ball-like structures.