Economic Importance of Anthocephalus chinensis

Family:  Rubiaceae
Genus: Anthocephalus
Species: chinensis
Origin:  India
Common name:  ‘Kadam’ in India, Bur flower tree in English

Description: Kadam is a large, tall tree, with a straight cylindrical bole. Foliage consists of elliptic-oblong, shining, opposite, simple leaves. Flowers are small, orange-coloured in dense terminal globose heads. The fruit is a pseudocarp of closely packed capsules each containing minute, singular seeds.

Economic Importance:

• The wood is moderately strong and can be seasoned easily. The timber when treated is quite durable. It saws readily and works easily under tools.
• Peels readily on a rotary lathe.
• Wood is extensively used for ceiling boards, light construction work, packing cases, planking, carving, and turnery. The wood makes good veneers and plywood suitable for the manufacture of Grade 4 commercial plywood and tea- chest plywood. It is also suitable for making both match boxes and splints. Brown wrapping paper can also be made by sulphate process.
• Fruits are edible. Bark and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. It is used as an Ayurvedic medicine for uterine disorders, blood diseases and leprosy.
• Juice prepared from the bark of Anthocephalus chinensis is given orally to lower body temperature.

Image Credit: Dinesh_valke on Flickr