Guazuma ulmifolia Lam | |
Malvaceae | |
Uthraksham | |
| Botanical Name | Guazuma ulmifolia Lam |
| Synonyms | Theobroma guazuma. L.; Guazuma tomentosa. Kunth. |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Common Name | English : West Indian elm / Tamil : Uthraksham |
| Distribution | Global : America, Java, Mexico, Peru and India Indian : Throughout India |
| Description | Deciduous tree up to 30m height, Bark dark brown. Leaves alternate,2 rows in assembled flatly, leaves ovate to lance, finely saw-toothed margin, texture rough. Inflorescence panicles (indeterminate flower clusters), borne at bottom of leaves. Flowers many, short-stalked, small in size, brown-yellow color, fragrant; calyx lobed (2-3), have hairs that are brown or light grey, as well as greenish. Petals 5, yellow to pink tinged at tip; stamen, 15 anthers/pistil, yellow colored; Pistil, 5 stigmas (combined), ovary lighter green in color with hairs, and also contains a style. Fruit capsules, elliptical to round. Seeds many, eggs shaped, grey. |
| Flowering Fruiting period | August-September / Throughout the year |
| Uses | Wood, Shelter and Fodder to horses |
| Medicinal Uses | Treatment of diarrhea, Hemorrhages, fever, Coughs, Bronchitis, Asthma. |
| Tamil Name | Uthraksham |