177
Toona
ciliata Roem.
Synonym : Cedrela toona Roxb. ex Rottl. & Willd.
Family
: Meliaceae
Local Names
: Chandanavembu, Vembu,
Sandal neem
Flowering
and fruiting period:
February – May
Distribution: Indo-Myanmar; cultivated
in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Africa and the Hawaiian Islands
Habitat: Semi-evergreen and
evergreen forests
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic: No
Uses: Leaves edible when
cooked. The bark is a powerful astringent, febrifuge, tonic, and antiperiodic.
It is used to treat chronic dysentery and wounds. A resinous gum obtained from
the bark is used to treat boils. The flowers contain a red colouring matter and
also a sulphur-coloured dye. A fibre obtained from the bark has been used
traditionally for twines and the manufacture of string bags.
Key
Characters:
Semi-deciduous trees, to 30 m high, bark reddish-brown, rough. Leaves
paripinnate, alternate, clustered at the tips of
