Malvaceae

Native: Indo-Malaesia and China

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Common Names

English – Indian screw tree

Malayalam – ഇടംപിരി വലംപിരി

Description: A small tree or large shrub in the moist deciduous and semi evergreen habitats. The plant reaches a height of 8m. Leaves are simple alternately arranged, hairy, ovate in shape and serrate margins with a pointed tip. Flowers are in clustures at the leaf axis that are brick red or orange red in color that turns to dull blue or violet when old. Fruits are green when raw, brown or grey when dried. Fruits are twisted (some to the right and other to left thereby the malayalam name), with a screw shaped structure at its pointed end.  

Distribution:  India, SriLanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakisthan, China, Malaysia, Java, Australia

Uses: Lychees are most relished fresh. Fruit is commonly added to fruit cups and fruit salads. It may also spice or pickled, or made into sauce, preserves or wine. Used in many cultures for the treatment of cough, stomach ulcers, diabetes, obesity, testicular swelling, hernia-like conditions, and epigastric and neuralgic pains.