Sapindaceae

Native: South India

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Malvales Juss.

Family: Dipterocarpaceae Blume

Common Names

English –  Litchi

Malayalam –  ലിച്ചി

Description: An evergreen lofty tree of the Western Ghats. Leaves are simple, alternate or spirally arranged, oblong-lanceolate shape, up to 23cm long and 7.5cm wide with a swollen petiole and yellow tomentum. Inflorescence is a terminal panicle. Creamy white flowers are bisexual and borne on branched inflorescence. Fruit is a nut with 3 shorter and 2 longer calyx lobes as wings of the fruit with single seed.

Distribution:  Endemic to the Western Ghats.

Uses: Vauable and durable timber that is used for construction, furniture, and other wooden items. The bark of the Hopea ponga tree is used as a tanning material and astringent. The entire plant is used in traditional medicine to treat piles, snake bites, and diabetes. The tree contains active compounds that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.