Elaeocarpus ganitrus
Utrasum Bead Tree, Wooden Begger bead
Description
A large evergreen tree with large leaves. Its height ranges from 15–60m, with a spreading attractive crown.
BARK: grayish white and rough textured.
LEAVES: large and shining green on the sun facing side and dull stringy on earth facing side.
FLOWERS: white or yellow colored, in dense racemes and mostly from axils of fallen leaves, fringed petals, anthers are linear, appear in April – May.
FRUIT: round or oval, small, violet or blue colored and acidic in taste.
Uses
Edible: fruit. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Elaeocarpus+serratus
Medicine: leaves, fruits, seeds, leaf sap, bark. http://globalresearchonline.net/journalcontents/v34-1/10.pdf
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Elaeocarpus+angustifolius
Agroforestry: has potential for use in re-establishing rainforest and also for use in larger permaculture projects, has a light, open crown that allows other plants to establish; and a variety of uses.
The hard seeds are made into a variety of commodities such as beads for rosaries, hatpins, buttons etc.
The wood is suitable for general planking, shuttering, boxes, crates, wooden pallets, boat planking, racing oars, match splints, veneer and plywood.
Ecology
Elaeocarpus ganitrus is generally dispersed from Madagascar in the west through India, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Southern China, and Japan, through Australia to New Zealand, Fiji, and Hawaii in the East. Tree of Rudraksha is originated in humid evergreen forests, which are characterized by three-tier forest structure. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 3,500mm and a fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.
Management
Fast growing.
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