This month’s tree is Vateria indica L.,
locally known as ‘Vellapain or Velutha kunthirikkam’.
This endemic species is seen in the Evergreen forests of Western Ghats. The growth rate of the trees is slow with a few healthy populations of the species remaining. It has been exploited for its timber, particularly for the plywood industry, whilst loss of habitat and other human activities have also contributed to population declines.
The plant is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .The semisolid fat of this plant obtained from drying kernels of the seeds is known as “Pinay tallow”, ‘Malabar tallow’, or ‘Dhupa fat’. The fat is used to manufacture candles and soaps. These fats are edible post refining. It is used in making confectioneries and as an adulterant to ghee. ‘Sarja’ as it is termed in Ayurveda, ‘Raala’ in Unani, ‘Vellai Kungiliyam’ in Siddha systems of medicines; these trees are preferred highly in the local healing traditions to cure and in the prevention of many diseases.
In the Astrological sciences, the tree is considered sacred and belongs to the group of ‘Nakshatra Vana’(group of plants specific to birth stars) Hence, the tree is worshiped for the well-being of people whose nakshatra (birth- star) is Moola Nakshatra (Sagittarius).
