Palaquium ellipticum (Dalzell) Baill.

 

Family: Sapotaceae

Synonym: Croixia elliptica (Dalzell) Baehni 

Vernacular name: Choppala, Iluppakkai, Pachendi, Pali, Panchendi

Habit:  Tree

Habitat: Evergreen forests

Distribution:  India

Flowering and Fruiting: February-July

Key identification features: Evergreen trees can reach heights of up to 30m. Their bark is dark brown with white mottling. The leaves are simple, alternate, and spiral, forming clusters toward the tip. They lack stipules. The leaf lamina elliptic or elliptic-obovate in shape. The tree produces bisexual, fragrant white flowers in axillary fascicles. The stamens are 12-20. The fruit is a fleshy, ellipsoid berry, and appears smooth and green.

Uses: The tree yields a second-rate quality of 'Gutta-percha', collected by tapping the living tree this substance is used for waterproofing and cement.