Humboldtia Vahliana Wight

Family: Leguminosae; sub family Caesalpinioideae

Common name: Karapongu

Conservation status: Endangered

Key characters: Medium-sized riparian tree; leaves pinnate with4 pairs of leaflets.

A medium tree, along riversides at 300-700 m alt. from Karnataka southwards. Seen in small populations as a riparian element. Plants 10-15 m high. Leaves pinnate, creamy white and drooping when young; leaflets 3-4 pairs; rhachis slightly winged. Inflorescence short erect racemes, axillary and cauliflorous. Flowers white, with exserted stamens. Fruit a flat pod. Listed in the Red data book under the Endangered category.

Ref: Humboldtia vahliana Wight, Ic. tt. 1607,1608. 1850; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 411. 1919; Sanjappa, Blumea 31: 338. 1986; Mohanan & Sivad., Fl. Agasthyamala 234. 2002; Anil Kumar et al., Fl. Pathanamthitta 200. 2005.