Dillenia Indica
Family : Dilleniaceae
Common Name : Karmal, Dog teak, Dillena,
English Name : Nepali elephant appple
Hindi Name : Karmal
Telugu Name : Kalinga, Uvya
Bengali Name : Ban chalta
Tree Characteristics :
It is found in moist deciduous forests of Andhra Pradesh. It is an evergreen tree, identified by reddish grey bark peeling off in hard flakes and shortly serrate leaves. It thrives on deep sandy loams and does best on deep, rich moist soils along the streams and in depressions. The green fruits resembling large appeals, commence to ripe in October and continue to fall on the ground throughout the following cold and hot season.
Nursery Practice :
The fruits are collected from December to January and throughly dried in the sun. They are then hammered open and the seeds are separated winnowing. Viability of the seeds is very low. The seeds are sown in nursery beds or boxes during May and watered. The fruits can also be left on the ground till the beginning of the rains when the seeds germinate inside them. The seedlings thus obtained are then removed and planted in the nursery beds. No. of seeds per Kg. 51,000 to 53,000 and the Germination percentage is 10.
Economic Uses:
Ø Flower buds - raw, cooked or pickled,A pleasant, acidic taste.
Ø A paste of the leaves is applied as a poultice to treat scorpion bites.
Ø According to Ayurveda, the plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha. It is used to treat anal fistula, wounds, diabetes, diabetic carbuncle, neuritis, pleurisy, pneumonia, and burning sensation.
The old leaves contain an abundance of silica and are used as a sand paper.
A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for cordage,The leaves are used as a mulch,The wood is used for planking, house posts and furniture.
