Mallotus Philippensis
Family : Euphorbiaceae
Common Name : Kaamala Tree, Monkey face tree, orange kamala, scarlet croton
English Name : Kaamala Tree, Monkey face tree, orange kamala, scarlet croton
Hindi Name : Kamala, Raini, Rohan, Rohini, Sinduri
Telugu Name : Kunkuma-chettu
Bengali Name : Kamala
Tree Characteristics :
Kamala Tree (pronounced kaamlaa) is a tree found throughout India. It has been in use as medicinal tree in India for ages. The tree can grow up to 10 m tall. Alternately arranged, ovate or rhombic ovate leaves are rusty-velvety. Male and female flowers occur in different trees. Female flowers are borne in lax spike like racemes at the end of branches or in leaf axils. Male flowers occur three together in the axils of small bracts. Capsule is trigonous-globular, covered with a bright crimson layer of minute, easily detachable reddish powder.
Nursery Practice :
Seeds are put in raised primary bed in April and a cover of hay is given over the bed. Shade and moisture are necessary in the early stages. Germination starts in 3 weeks time and continues for sometime. After a month, seedlings are transplanted to bigger bags and 15 months old seedlings are planted out. It grows slowly in the nursery. No. of seeds per kg is 25,000 and the germination percentage is about 20.
Economic Use:
Ø The heartwood is pink to brown-coloured; the sapwood is cream. It is hard and moderately heavy. It is used for rafters, tool handles, matchboxes, and house-posts.
Ø The wood is suitable for paper pulp.
Ø The wood is often used as fuel wood
Ø Kamala is supposed to be a very useful tree. It is source of Kamala dye which is used in colouring silk and wool. It is used as anti-oxidant for ghee and vegetable oils.
Oil is used as hair-fixer and added in ointment. Seed oil is used in paints and varnishes. Seed cake is used as manure.
