Pterospermum rubiginosum B. Heyne ex G.Don

 

   

       Scientific Name: Pterospermum rubiginosum B. Heyne ex G.Don

       Family: Sterculiaceae 

       Synonym: Pterospermadendron rubiginosum (B.Heyne ex G.Don) Kuntze

       Vernacular name: Chittilaplavu, Ellooti, Malamthodali

        Habit: Tree

        Habitat: Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests 

       Distribution: Southern Western Ghats (Endemic) 

        Flowering and Fruiting: November-April

Key identification features: Tree growing up to 20 m in height; bark brown, flaking off in thin rectangular strips. Leaves simple, alternate, coriaceous, glabrous on the upper surface, with dense white tomentose hairs beneath. Bisexual white flowers solitary and axillary. Fruit a capsule with winged seeds.

 

Tribal Consumers: Kurichiyan, Paniya, Kattunaikka, Adiyan

 Uses: Pterospermum rubiginosum is valued for treating bone fractures and as a local anti-inflammatory agent.