Indian laurel
Mammea longifolia

Family: Calophyllaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 18 m tall. The bark is rough. The small branches are 4 angled. The leaves are opposite at the ends of branches. The leaves are oblong to sword shaped. They are 12-20 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. Flowers can have male and female parts in separate flowers or in the same flower. They are white or pink and about 1 cm across. The fruit are oval berries 2-3 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. There are 1-4 seeds. These are 2 cm long by 1 cm wide. The fruit is like an acorn.

There are about 27 Mammea species. They grow in the tropics. Also put in the family Clusiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen and deciduous forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, East Africa, India, Madagascar

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, buds - spice

How it is grown

In south India plants flower and fruit March to July.

Its other names

Local names

Churiana, Gardundi, Nagakesara, Nagappu, Nagesar, Nagesarpu, Nagkesar, Punnag, Ratinagkesar, Seraya, Suragi, Suraponna, Suran-punna, Suringi, Wundi

Synonyms

Calophyllum chinense T. Anderson; Calosaccion chinense Walp.; Calysaccion longifolium Wight; Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth. & Hook.f.;