Categories: Benefits of Trees

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

 

Shailesh Telang

Shailesh is post graduate in Environment Management from Forest Research Institute (FRI) University, Dehradun, India. Presently he is working in the areas of Environmental and Renewable Energy Advisory Services. He has started GreenCleanGuide.com during his college days.

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