Bignoniaceae

Native: South and Southeast Asia

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Lamiales

Family: Bignoniaceae

Common Names

English – Tree Jasmine or Indian Cork Tree

Malayalam – ഇൻഡ്യൻ കോർക്കുമരം

Description: A tall, straight growing evergreen tree. Bark thick and corky hence often called as Indian cork-tree. Leaves are imparipinnately bipinnate, opposite, leaflets ovate-lanceolate, serrate with an acute tip. Inflorescence is a terminal panicle. Flowers are bisexual, tubular, white in color. Fruit an elongated capsule; seeds many, winged.

Distribution:  South and Southeast Asia

Uses: Often planted in parks, gardens, and along avenues for its fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. The wood is lightweight, soft, and easy to work with, and is used to make furniture, plywood industry, packing boxes, etc. Stem bark is used as a lung tonic and to treat cough diseases. Leaf and root are used0020anti-asthmatic and antimicrobial. Obtain a yellow dye from bark of mature trees.