Vern.: Molsari, Bakul.

KAMAL AKHTER MALIK

A large evergreen tree, stem cylindrical, bark dark grey, smooth, not deeply furrowed. Leaves alternate, broadly ovate, 3.5-4-5 x 7-10.5 cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate, entire or slightly wavy, glabrous, petiolate, petiole 2-3.5 cm long. Flowers axillary solitary or fascicled, creamish white, fragrant, c. 15 mm in diameter, pedicel c. 2 cm long, hairy. Calyx 6-lobed, lobes free, lanceolate, tomentose. Corolla tube very short, lobes 24 in 2 series. Stamens 8, anthers subsessile, staminodes hairy. Ovary pubescent. Fruit ovoid, 2.5-4 cm long, orange, pubescent when young, with persistent calyx.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: Sept.-Nov.

Syntypes: Ceylon, Herb. Hermann vol. 2. fol. 40 and vol. 3 fol. 23 (BM).

Distribution: India, Ceylon, Malay peninsula; often cultivated elsewhere.

The wood is used for building purposes, piles, bridges, agricultural implements and oil mills. The fruit is eaten; it is sometimes used for making preserves and pickles. The caducous corollas are used for making fragrant garlands. The bark is astringent and tonic and is used in diarrhoea and dysentry. A decoction of bark is used for gargle.