Xylocarpus granatum

Scientific name: Xylocarpus granatum J.Koenig

Family: Meliaceae

Synonym: Xylocarpus obovatus (Blume) A.Juss.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Dhundul, Putar, Tutul, Karamphul, Karambola.

English name: Cannonball mangrove, Apple mangrove.

Description of the plant: A small to medium-sized evergreen mangrove tree, up to 20 m tall. Leaves abruptly pinnate, with pairs of leaflets which are elliptic or obovate, 5-15 cm long, apex rounded, base cuneate. Flowers are small, white, 4-parted, borne on short terminal or axillary panicles. Fruit is very large, 15-25 cm in diameter, flattened-globose, pericarp woody, with a short pointed tip.

Plant parts used: Leaf, root.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied for the treatment of inflammation.

The roots of the plant are used as a treatment for diarrhoea, cholera, and dysentery.

The leaves of the plant are used to treat malaria.

Distribution: It occurs in Khulna, Satkhira, Chakaria Sundarbans, and other coastal areas.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….