Dilip Walse Patil

Scientific Name : Madhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr.

Category : Angiosperms

Status : Alive

Habit : A large tree with a short trunk and rounded crown. Leaves : Elliptic, about 10 to 11 inches long, bluntly acuminate, acute at base, coriaceous, lateral nerves about 12 pairs, parallel and prominent below. Inflorescence : Dense fascicles near the ends of branches. Flowers : Buds long, pointed, rufous-hairy. Calyx 4-lobed, divided nearly to the base, the 2 outer subvalvate and enclosing the 2 inner. Corolla fleshy, yellow, lobes 7-9, erect, ovate-lanceolate, caducous. Stamens inserted on the tube of the corolla, 24-26 in 3 rows, anthers hairy at the back. Ovary red-hairy style long-exserted, hairy at the base. Fruit : Berry ovoid, fleshy, greenish, 1-4 seeded. Flowering and Fruiting Time : March - April Significance : A very useful tree. The flowers are distilled for the preparation of country liquor. The seeds are crushed to yield an oil called "vegetable butter" which is extensively used for soapmaking and also edible, and used for adulterating ghee. The oil-cake is used to poison fish.