Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Roxb.) A.Chev.
Vernacular name: Madhuka, Mahua
Species Name: Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Roxb.) A.Chev.
Family: Sapotaceae
Habit: Deciduous tree
Stem: Short trunk and rounded crown, thick, grey bark, vertically cracked and wrinkled.
Leaf: Elliptic, about 10 to 11 inches long, bluntly acuminate, acute at base, coriaceous, lateral nerves about 12 pairs, parallel and prominent below.
Flowering: March – April
Flowers: Fascicle inflorescence, bisexual flowers, Buds long, pointed, rufous-hairy, Calyx 4-lobed, Corolla fleshy, yellow.
Fruit: Ovoid berry
Uses:
- The flowers are distilled for the preparation of country liquor.
- The seeds are crushed to yield an oil called “vegetable butter” which is extensively used for soapmaking and also edible, usually used for adulterating ghee.
- The oil-cake is used to poison fish
