Distribution and habitat: Found throughout India.

Botany: A medium sized to large tree, 15-30 m in height with smooth light grey bark having dark patches. 

• Leaves: Simple, opposite, variable in shape, elliptic, about 2.5 cm broad and 7.5-15 cm long, acuminate, nerves joining in a distinct intramarginal nerve, gland dotted, smooth and shiny, petiolate.
• Flowers: Greenish white in trichotomous panicles, rarely axillary or terminal, sweet scented and sessile. Starts flowering 6-8 years after planting.
• Fruits: Oblong or ovoid-oblong, globose, dark purple with pinkish juicy pulp. 1-seeded.
• Seeds: one seed per fruit. Seeds have 1.2 cm x 0.8 cm in dimension. Seeds mature in March to May. Seeds lose viability within a month.

Properties: Astringent, carminative, diuretic, antidiabetic.

Chemical constituents: α and β pinene, limonene, betulinic acid, friedelin, quercetin, tannin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, kaempferol and its derivatives.

Uses: 

• Bark is used in diabetes, gastric disorders, strangury, fever, skin diseases, intrinsic hemorrhage.
• Leaves used in antibacterial and used for vomiting. Leaf ash is used for strengthening the teeth and gums.
• Fruits and seeds are used in diarrhoea, diabetes, pharyngitis, splenopathy, urinary disorders, ring worm and to strengthen teeth and gums.

Formulations: Varahyadi ghrtam, Lohasindusram, jambadya-taila

Soil:  Loamy, deep and well drained soils

Propagation: Seeds and stump planting. 2-3 month old seedlings are transplanted to field. 

Spacing : 6 m x 6 m

Seed requirement per acre: 140 g

Seedlings required per acre : 110 nos.