''Calophyllum apetalum'' is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

of tree

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

to the Western Ghats region of

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. It is also called as the Konkan beauty leaf tree or Poon spar of Travancore.

Description

''Calophyllum apetalum'' is an evergreen tree reaching up to 30 meters in height. It features yellowish outer bark with distinct boat-shaped fissures and reddish blaze. Its leaves are simple, opposite, and glossy above, typically obovate to inverted-lanceolate in shape. The tree produces white flowers in leaf-axil panicles, with bisexual characteristics. The flowers have 4 rarely 3 sepals, white and petal-like, and lack petals. Stamens are numerous and free, while the drupe is yellowish-brown, ovoid to ellipsoid, and about 1.5 cm long, containing a single seed.

Taxonomy

Tamil Tamil may refer to: People, culture and language * Tamils, an ethno-linguistic group native to India, Sri Lanka, and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka ** Myanmar or Burmese Tamils, Tamil people of Ind ...

, it is known as ''Chirupunnai'' (சிறுபுன்னை), While in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

it is similarly called ''Manja punna'' (മഞ്ഞപ്പുന്ന), ''Cherupunna'' (ചെറുപുന്ന) and ''Attupunna'' (ആറ്റുപുന്ന). In

Kannada Kannada () is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in southwestern India, and spoken by a minority of the population in all neighbouring states. It has 44 million native speakers, and is additionally a ...

, it is called ''Kalhonne'' (ಕಲ್ಹೊನ್ನೆ), ''Bobbi''(ಬೊಬ್ಬಿ), ''Irai'' (ಇರೈ). These names might be synoymous to other native names of ''

Calophyllum ''Calophyllum'' is a genus of tropical flowering plants in the family Calophyllaceae. They are mainly distributed in Asia, with some species in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands. History Members of the genus ''Calophyll ...

'' species.

Distribution

It is

to the Western Ghats, where its only found in the central and southern parts of the region.

Habitat & ecology

In evergreen forests and backwaters along the west coast, especially near rivers and streams, it's typical to find ''Calophyllum apetalum'' at low elevations, reaching up to 600 meters (or 1300 feet).

Human uses

Mature fruits have a sweet taste and are commonly consumed locally. The oil extracted from the seeds is greenish-yellow and has a distinct smell, often utilized as a fuel for lamps. The wood, which has a light reddish-white or pale reddish-brown color with darker streaks, finds applications in construction, bridges, boats, oil-mills, cabinet making, building structures, and even in crafting matchboxes. The resin serves medicinal purposes as a healing, resolving, and pain-relieving agent, while the seed oil is employed in treating conditions like rheumatism and leprosy.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15386593 apetalum