Putal PRODUCT NAME
Sterculia guttata Roxb. ex DC. SCIENTIFIC NAME
| Common Name: | Putal |
| Local Name: | Putal (Kurumba); Putaa (Irula); Tamil-Kavaslam; Malayalam-Kithondi |
| Family: | Sterculiaceae |
| Other Species of Same Genera: | |
| Product Description: | A medium sized evergreen tree. Flower: In terminal racemes, white of pale yellow. Calyx rusty tomentose outside, dark purple within. Fruit: An obovoid follicle, rust-coloured. Seeds many, smooth, black, ellipsoid Softwood. Bark on bruising exudes a sticky sap. Leaf glabrous above, stellate tomentose below. Flowers foetid. Calyx rusty tomentose outside, dark purple within. Leaf fall by January-February. New foliage by March. Seeds edible after roasting, to be eaten in small quantities. Monkeys and rats relish the seeds. Bees forage on flowers. |
| NTFP Classification: | Medicinal, aromatics and cosmetics, Feed, fodder and fuelwood |
DISTRIBUTION
| Countries Found: | India, Sri Lanka |
| Description: | 1000-1200m by shola borders in exposed areas, close to rocks and water sources. |
USES AND PARTS USED
| Parts Used: | bark, bast |
| Uses: | Bark used for medicinal preparations |
| Origin: | |
| Management Practices: | |
| Market Information: | In Kurumba medicine the bark is used to drive away ‘evil winds’ which have affected a person with paralysis |
| Partners: | Keystone Foundation |
PARTNERS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THIS NTFP
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