CANNONBALL TREE(NAGAGANDHI)

WRITTEN BY BHASKARAN.VG,UDAYANOOR

Cannonbal tree is a deciduous tree in the flowering plant family Lecythidaceae.It is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America.You can find these amazing trees commonly around in Shiva temples in India and in Buddhist temples in Srilanka and Thailand.It is cultivated because of its beautiful ,fragrant flowers and large interesting fruitsInterestingly the petals of the Naga Linga Flower resemble the hood a snake.Fruits are brownish grey.In English,it is known as Cannonball tree.The tree is named because of its fruits that look like a Cannonball.The tree produces large,Spherical fruits.The fruit of the cannonball tree is also fascinating.Fruit can contain about 65 seeds,but the larger fruits can have about 550 seeds.One tree can bear about 150 fruits.It takes a long time for the fruit to mature.It will take atleast one year and in some places;it takes alomost 18 months.It is also called Shiva Kamal.Other names are Nagalingam in Tamil,Nagalinga Pushpa in Kannada,Nagamalli or Mallikarjunaflowers in Telugu.

The Cannonball Tree was named botanically as Couroupita guaiane NSIS by the French botanist J.F.Aublet in the year 1755.There are medical uses for maney parts of Couroupita guianensis and the tree has cultural and religious significance in INDIA.In Srilanka,the Cannonball tree has been widely misidentified as Sal,after its introduction to the  island by the British in 1881,and has been included as a common item in Buddhist temples as a result.

Cannonball fruits are edible when ripe,but they are not commonly consumed due to a permeating, pungent odor released from the flesh.The Nagagandhi tree has many medical benefits.The extracts of the tree have been used to treat hypertension,tumors,pain and inflammation.