This Week’s Plant – Vateria indica L.

Vateria indica L. (White Dammar or Vella Kunthirikam) is a large evergreen tree belonging to the family Dipterocarpaceae. Endemic to the Western Ghats of India, it is a straight tree that can grow up to 30m tall, with a straight trunk often buttressed at the base. The bark is grayish-brown and exudes a milky white resin called “Dammar”. The leaves are large, oblong, leathery, and glossy green on the upper surface. It produces fragrant white flowers in dense clusters and woody oblong fruits containing 1-3 seeds. Its resin has commercial value, and its seeds are an important food source for animals. However, due to habitat loss and overexploitation, it is classified as Vulnearble (VU) as per IUCN Redlist 2024.2, necessitating conservation efforts. Conservation efforts are required to protect this threatened tree species and Green Ahalia is trying to conserve in the RET garden and at Shade house.

For more details : greenahalia@ahhkv.org