Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.
കപടരുദ്രാക്ഷം


Family: STERCULIACEAE
Sub-Family: Not available
English Name: Honey Fruit Tree
Synonym: Theobroma guazuma L.
Common Name: Bastard Cedar
Flowering & Fruiting Period: February - September
Distribution: Native of Tropical America
Habitat: Grown as avenue tree
Uses: The bark is the part most used. It is used as to induce perspiration, as a tonic and a blood cleanser and is employed to treat a wide range of disorders including; digestive tract problems such as gastrointestinal pain, liver problems, diarrhoea and dysentery; urinary and reproductive tract problems. The fruit (in Mauritius), the roasted seeds (in Java), and the bark (in India) are officinal remedies against elephantiasis. A natural pioneer species that colonizes recently disturbed areas; it is fast-growing, tolerant of full sunlight and provides food for the native fauna. It can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland, but is best not used outside of its native range
Key Characteristics: Guazumaulmifolia are small or medium sized trees. Leaves lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate or ovate, obliquely cordate at base, serrulate at margin, acuminate at apex, stellate-pubescent on both surfaces. Cymes axillary and terminal.Sepals 3-5, connate, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate, subequal, tomentose outside.Petals obovate, concave with 2 apical appendages.Staminodes are petaloid. Ovary globose, stellate-tomentose.Capsules subglobose, woody, tubercled