Malabar kino, Indian kino tree
Pterocarpus marsupium
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 15-20 m high. The trunk is straight with spreading branches. The bark is thick and yellowish-grey. It is corky with cracks along it. It peels off in large scaled revealing a rusty inner bark. The gum is blood red. The leaves are alternate. The leaflets have one at the end. There are 5-7 leaflets which are 8 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are shiny. The flowers are yellowish and have a scent. They occur in large loose clusters. These are 8-11 cm long. Flowers fall in the evening. The fruit is round but flat like a coin. They have a ring around it. They are 5 cm across. There are 1-2 seeds.
It is indigenous to India. The gum is used for dyeing. The wood, bark and leaf extracts are used to treat diabetes.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in forests all over India. It needs well drained slopes.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka
How it is used for food
The exudate from the bark is used in some wines. The flowers and seeds are eaten.
Edible parts
Flowers, seeds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Asan, Bange, Beeja, Bibla, Bija, Bijasal, Bijay saal, Biyo, Byasa, Dhorbenla, Gammalu, Hiradakhan, Honne, Kempu honne, Padauk, Peddagi, Pitasara, Pitshal, Venga, Vengai, Yegi