Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa

 

        Scientific Name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa

Family: Rutaceae

Synonym: Belou marmelos (L.) Lyons

Vernacular names: Koolakam Koovalam Mavilavu Vilvam

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Plain areas, forests, near roadsides

Distribution: India

Flowering and fruiting: March to June

Key identification features: Deciduous tree up to 12 m tall; leaves alternate, 3- to 5-foliolate, glabrous or puberulous; leaflets ovate-elliptic. Inflorescences axillary and terminal, racemose or corymbose, few-flowered. Flowers bisexual, greenish-white or yellow, fragrant; calyx cupular, caducous. Petals 5, fleshy, white. Stamens numerous in 2 or 3 series. Berries ovoid, woody, yellowish, many-seeded.

Tribal Consumers: Adiya

Uses: The fruit of Aegle marmelos is rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, often consumed to aid digestion and relieve gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, various parts of the plant, including the leaves and roots, are used in herbal remedies for their potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it useful for treating fevers and respiratory conditions.