Family: Malvaceae
Synonym: Bupariti populnea (L.) Rothm.
Vernacular name: Pravaras, Cheelanthi, Pooparutthi, Poovarasu, Porasu
Habit: Tree
Habitat: Grown as fence-posts and avenue tree, also in mangrove forests
Distribution: Native of Old World, tropics; widely naturalized in Central America, northern South America, the Caribbean islands and Florida
Flowering and Fruiting: March-June
Key identification features: An evergreen and fairly large, quick-growing tree. Leaves are simple, alternate, long-petioled and heart-shaped. Flowers are single or in pairs in leaf axil, bell-shaped, pale yellow with purple base, slowly changing to purple on withering. Fruits are globose capsules, which turn brown on drying.
Uses: Cultivated as a shade tree around Habitations. Young leaves and flower buds are eaten fried. Wood used for agricultural implements.
No comments:
Post a Comment