Crocodile Bark Tree

Posted on March 4th, 2013 by Shantha
DMCA.com

Plant Summary:
The state tree of Goa is Crocodile Bark Tree belonging to family Combretaceae*. Botanical name of the tree is Terminalia Elliptica. The name is thus derived because the bark of the tree resembles crocodile skin. The other common names are Matti in Kannada, Asna, Saj and  Indian-Laurel, ha…ha..then, which tree is the Indian-Hardy?? hmm…mm….it must be the Banyan Tree!

Crocodile Bark Tree

Picture1 – Crocodile Bark Tree pictured in Catigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa

It is native of South Indian deciduous forests up to 1000 meters above sea level. It is also widely grown in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

Crocodile Bark Tree
Picture2 – Crocodile Bark Tree pictured in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

The tree grows to a height of 30 m tall and the trunk measures up to 1 m in diameter. The bark of the trunk is fire resistant, flaky and brownish black. The fruit is ovaoid about 3 cm in length.

Crocodile Bark Tree

During research it has been found that this tree has a water storing capability for the dry season. The wood of this tree is used for building boat, railroad sleepers, furniture and other wood works. The silkworms are fed with the leaves of this tree. A dye is extracted from the fruits of this tree for dyeing leather.

Medicinal Use:
The bark is used to treat diarrhea.

* Combretaceae is a family of flowering plants. The family includes about 600 species of trees, shrubs, and lianas in 20 genera.

Originally posted 2010-03-22 08:40:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter



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8 Responses to “Crocodile Bark Tree”

  1. Dr. Asim Mitra, on June 5th, 2010 at 11:02 am Said:

    This tree is also found in Pench National Park and Andheri Tadoba NP.

  2. Shantha, on June 6th, 2010 at 9:13 am Said:

    Thank you Dr.Asim Mitra for the information.

  3. THIMMAIAH.M.T, on March 20th, 2011 at 12:08 pm Said:

    this trees are found in Kodagu district,chickmagalur,Dharwar,Belgaum,mysore etc in Karnataka

  4. Shantha, on March 20th, 2011 at 8:14 pm Said:

    Thanks for the information.

  5. M. ATHTHIGIRI ARULALAN, on April 24th, 2012 at 10:19 am Said:

    I pleased to your information
    and egarly to know about,- which tree is producing more
    oxygen and suitable for indian conditions.
    and tell me more about bark in this regard

    we are working with environment rejuvanating movement
    called
    Environment and roadsafety Movement, tamilnadu
    5, Banagalaore trunk road, varadharajapuram,
    nazarathept
    chennai-600123.
    contact No.8124472192

  6. Shantha, on April 24th, 2012 at 8:29 pm Said:

    Thanks for visiting Aththigiri Arulalan.

  7. tanisha bhat, on September 28th, 2012 at 5:26 pm Said:

    thank you for this inforemation

  8. Shantha, on September 30th, 2012 at 11:15 am Said:

    You are welcome Tanisha.

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