Sterculia guttata Roxb.

 

 

       Scientific Name: Sterculia guttata Roxb.

       Family: Sterculiaceae

       Synonym: Clompanus malabarica (Dennst.) Kuntze

       Vernacular name: Aanathondimaram, Kavalam, Narukorumban, Pottakavalam, Kithkondi

       Habit: Tree

       Habitat: Semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, also in the plains

       Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Malay Peninsula

Flowering and Fruiting: September-March

Key identification features: Deciduous tree with straight trunk, smooth bark, and stellate- tomentose branchlets. Leaves ovate-oblong, coriaceous, with prominent veins. Flowers polygamous, white with pink dots. Fruit an aggregate of 1-5 radiating follicles, obovoid, red tomentose, smooth and pink within; seeds ovoid, black, smooth, shining.

Tribal Consumers: Kuruma

 Uses: Sterculia guttata is used in treating respiratory issues and skin ailments due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.