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Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex Pierre

Synonym                    : Michelia champaca L.

Family                        : Magnoliaceae

Local Names              : Chembakam, Golden champa, Yellow champa 

Flowering and fruiting period: March – July 

Distribution: Indo-Malaysia and China

Habitat: Evergreen forests, also grown as garden plant

IUCN status: Least concern

Endemic: Yes

Uses: Remedy for eye disorders, headache, essential oil yielding, aphrodisiac, timber yielding, ornamental. The aromatic, bitter bark is sometimes used for the adulteration of cinnamon. The bark is used as a febrifuge. A decoction of the bark and leaves is given after childbirth. The flowers are used to treat leprosy. 

Key Characters: Champak is an evergreen tree, bark surface grey with numerous pits. Leaves simple, alternate; lamina ovate, ovate-lanceolate, margin entire, wavy. Flowers bisexual, yellow or white, fragrant, axillary or terminal, solitary; perianth parts oblanceolate, fleshy; stamens numerous; carpels many, superior. Fruit an aggregate of capsules, ovoid to ellipsoid.