Description

Alunkumaram (Turpinia malabarica) is an endemic tree species of the Western . Alunkumaram, popularly known as Kanakappalam, Marali and Marali, is a medium sized tree native to the Western Ghats. (Scientific name: Turpinia malabarica). Can grow up to 12 m tall.

Characteristics:

Trees, to 20 m high, bole buttressed, bark greyish-brown. Leaves imparipinnate, opposite, stipulate; rachis 19-25 cm long, stout, swollen at base, glabrous, leaflets 3-7, opposite, stipellate; petiolule 2-20 mm, slender, grooved above; lamina 5-12 x 1.5-5 cm, elliptic, elliptic-obovate, elliptic-ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, base acute or cuneate, apex acuminate or obtusely acuminate, margin serrate, glabrous, coriaceous, lateral nerves 4-7 pairs, pinnate, slender, prominent, intercostae reticulate, prominent. Flowers bisexual, yellowish-white, 8-10 mm across, in axillary and terminal panicles with opposite branches; sepals 5, 3 mm long, ovate, slightly connate at base, obtuse, ciliate; petals 5; stamens 5; filaments shortly villous, inserted outside the disc; disc erect, crenate; ovary sessile, superior, 3 lobed, 3-celled. Fruit a berry, subglobose, 1-3 pointed, but not lobed, glabrous; seeds complanate.

Medicinal Uses:

The bark, leaves, flowers and fruits are much used in Ayurvedic medicine. The fruit, when unripe, is said to be cold, light, and astringent; and to possesses anti-bacterial and anthelmintic activity. It is used externally to heal sores and wounds