Calophyllum apetalum

Calophyllum apetalum
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Calophyllaceae
Genus:	Calophyllum
Species:	C. apetalum
Binomial name
Calophyllum apetalum Willd.

Calophyllum apetalum is a species of tree endemic to the Western Ghats region of India. It is also called as the Konkan beauty leaf tree or Poon spar of Travancore.

Description

Full view.

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

In Tamil, it is known as Chirupunnai (சிறுபுன்னை), While in Malayalam it is similary called Manja punna (മഞ്ഞപ്പുന്ന), Cherupunna (ചെറുപുന്ന) and Attupunna (ആറ്റുപുന്ന). In Kannada, it is called Surahonne (ಸುರಹೊನ್ನೆ). These names might be synoymous to other native names of Calophyllum species.

Distribution

It is endemic 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 species 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.