Thanks, Sanal ji, Some interesting extracts from Wikipedia link on *Madhuca longifolia *(* Mahua*): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassia_latifolia
*Madhuca longfolia*, commonly known as *mahwa* or *mahua*, is an Indian<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India>tropical tree found largely in the central and north Indian plains and forests. It is a fast growing tree that grows to approximately 20 meters in height, possesses evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, and belongs to the family Sapotaceae <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapotaceae>. It is adapted to arid environoments, being a prominent tree in tropical mixed deciduous forests in India in the states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Orissa.[1]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassia_latifolia#cite_note-trifed-0> It is cultivated in warm regions for its oleaginous seeds, its flowers and its wood, producing between 20 and 200 kg of seeds annually per tree, depending on maturity. This oil (solid at ambient temperature) is used for the care of the skin, to manufacture soap or detergents, and as a vegetable butter. It can also be used as a fuel oil<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_oil_used_as_fuel>. The seed cakes obtained after extraction of oil constitute very good fertilizers. The flowers are used to produce an alcoholic drink in tropical India. Several parts of the tree are used for their medicinal properties. It is considered holy by many tribal communitites because of its usefulness. The bark is used for medicinal purposes. The tree is considered a boon by the Tribals who are forest dwellers and they are keen conservators of this tree. However, the conservation of the tree has been marginalized as it is stated that the non-tribals do not favour propagation of this tree.[2]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bassia_latifolia#cite_note-1> . 2009/2/6 sanal nair <[email protected]> > > Hi Geetha, > This seems to be Mahua. > Regards, > Sanal Nair > > > > -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
