Systematic Classification:
Division : Angiospermae
Class : Dicotyledons
Family : Myrtaceae
Genus : Syzygium
Species : travancoricumCommon Name:
Poriyal
General Information:
Evergreen trees, to 25 m high, bark surface greyish-brown, longitudinally fissured, peeling off in thin irregular flakes, inner bark grey; branchlets tetragonus. Leaves simple, opposite, estipulate; petiole 10-20 mm long, stout, grooved above, glabrous; lamina 8-16.5 x 5-8.5 cm, ovate or ovate-oblong, base narrowed and decurrent on petiole, apex acuminate, acumen folded, obtuse, margin entire, chartaceous, glabrous; lateral nerves 10-15 pairs, parallel but very irregular, distant, prominent, looped near the margin forming indistinct intramarginal nerve, intercostae reticulate, faint. Flowers bisexual, white, mostly in axillary lax cymose corymbose; peduncle 4.5-5 (8) cm long, their branches also long, ascending; calyx tube short, 1 mm across, lobes 4, very short; no thickened staminal disc; petals white, calyptrate; stamens numerous, free, bent inwards at middle when in bud; ovary inferior, 2-celled, ovules many; style 1; stigma simple. Fruit a berry, oblong-obtuse on both sides, 1 x 0.5 cm, deep violet, pericarp juicy; seed one.
Economic Importance:
- Syzygium travancoricum is known for its medicinal value. Traditionally this plant species has been used for curing diabetes and arthritis by local people.
- The species is well known for its astringent, hypoglycemic, bactericidal, antifungal and neuropsychopharmacological effects.