40
Careya
arborea Roxb.
Synonym : Barringtonia arborea (Roxb.) F.Muell.
Family
: Lecythidaceae
Local Names
: Aalam, Pezhu, Slow match
tree, Wild guava
Flowering
and fruiting period:
February – July
Distribution: Tropical Asia
Habitat: Moist and dry deciduous forests, also in the
plains
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic:
No
Uses: The fruit is edible, but the seeds are
reported as slightly poisonous. The fibrous bark has been applied medicinally
for relieving body swellings. The bark of the tree and the sepals of the
flowers are well-known Indian remedies, and are valued on account of their
astringent and mucilaginous properties, being administered internally in coughs
and colds and applied externally as an embrocation. The bark yields a good
fibre that is used locally for coarse cordage. The fibrous bark contains a
brown dye. It is also suitable for
making brown paper and is used as a slow match to ignite gunpowder.
Key
Characters:
Deciduous trees, to 12 m high,
