IRON WOOD

Mesua ferrea

Reference No :

0000012

Scientific Name :

Mesua ferrea

Sinhala Name :

නා (NA)

Tamil Name :

நாகமரம் (NAKA)

Other Common Names :

Ceylon ironwood, Indian rose chestnut, Cobra saffron

Synonyms :

Plant Family :

Clusiaceae

Plant Group :

Angiosperms (Enclosed Seed)

Plant Types :

Large Trees

Crown Architecture :

Conical Canopy
Mop-Top Canopy
Weeping Canopy
Weeping Standard Canopy

Plant Categories :

Aromatic Plants;   Bird Attractive Plants;   Border Plants;   Colorful Plants;   Common Landscaping Plants;   Courtyard Plants;   Dark Green Plants;   Dust Controlling Plants;   Endemic Plants of Sri Lanka;   Flowering Plants;   Herbal Plants;   High Leaves Density Plants;   Indigenous Plants of Sri Lanka;   Intermediate Zone Plants;   Low Maintenance Plants;   Medium Size Trees;   Ornamental Plants;   Parking Area Plants;   Roadside Plants;   Sacred Plants;   Seasonal Plant;   Shady Plants;   Sun Loving Plants;   Thick Green Plants;   Wet Zone Plants;   Wood Value Plants;   Evergreen Plants;   Noise Controlling Plants;   Decorative plants

Native Region(s) :

India;   Sri Lanka;   Nepal;   Indo-China;   Peninsular Malaysia;   Indonesia

Plant Distribution(s) :

Nepal eastwards, in north-eastern India, Deccan Peninsula and in the Andaman Islands

Habitat :

Canopy tree in lowland evergreen forest on level or undulating land, usually along streams but also on ridges with shallow soils, sea-level up to 500m Also an understorey tree in montane evergreen or semi-evergreen forest 

Elevation :

Above sea level up to 1,000 m

Trunk / Bole / Stem & Branches :

2m in diameter, often fluted or buttressed at the base

Average Height :

15.00m

Maximum Height :

30.00

Average Width :

6.00m

Maximum Width :

12.00

Root System(s) :

Tap Root

Propogation(s) :

By Seeds;   By Cutting (Stem)

Average Longevity :

more than 75 years

Maturity Longevity :

More than 12 years

Medicinal Use :

Yes

Medicinal Value :

The ashes of leaves are used for sore eyes. Kernels are used to poultice wounds and in skin eruptions. Leaf and flower are antidotes forsnake bite and scorpion sting. The fixed oil is used for cutaneous infection, sores, scabies, wounds and rheumatism. The flower is stomachic, expectorant and astringent. The decoction or infusion or tincture of bark and roots is a bitter tonic and useful in gastritis, bronchitis and to cure snake bite. 

Parts Used in Treatment in Sinhala Ayurveda,

  • Flowers,
  • Flower buds
  • Flower Stems
  • Roots
  • Bark
  • Fruits
  • Seeds

Treats for,

  • Piles
  • Cracked feet
  • Blood diarrohea
  • Pruritus
  • Eczema
  • Worm infections

Benefits & Uses :

The wood of this tree is very heavy, hard and strong. It is hard to saw and is mainly used for railroad ties and heavy structural timber. 

In Sri Lanka the pillars of the 14th century Embekke Shrine near Kandy are made of iron tree wood.

In eastern state of Assam, India, its seeds were also used for lighting purpose in evening for day to day purpose (while mustard oil for religious and health and culinary purposes) before the introduction of kerosene by the British. 
 

Special Features :

National tree of Sri Lanka and state flower of Tripura and Mizoram

Plant Disease(s) :

Brown Cubical Rot;   White Sap;   Heart Rot;   Attacked by beetles and some borers.

Foliage

Leaf / Habit :

Evergreen

Leaf Shape :

Lanceolate shape

Arrangements :

Simple

Leaf Arrangement :

Opposite leaf arrangement

Leaves :

Leaf: grayish-green foliage with a beautiful pink to red flush of drooping young leaves

Leaves: blue-grey to dark green leaves that are 7–15 cm (2.8–5.9 in) long and 1.5–3.5 cm (0.59–1.38 in) wide, with a whitish underside. new leaves are produced just after flowering at the start of rainy season

Flowering

Is Flowering :

Yes

Blossoms :

The bisexual flowers are 4–7.5 cm (1.6–3.0 in) in diameter, with four white petals and a center of numerous orange yellow stamens

Blooming Season :

March;   April;   May;   June;   July

Fruiting

Bears Fruits :

Yes

Fruit :

The fruit is an ovoid to globose capsule

Fruiting Season :

October;   November

Seeds :

2m in diameter, often fluted or buttressed at the base

Maintenance

Level :

Low

Soil Types :

Clay Soil;   Loam Soil;   Well Drained Soil

Water :

Medium/Moderate

Sunlight :

Full

Humidity :

High

Edibility

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