Biancaea sappan(L.) Tod.

Biancaea sappan which is more popular as Caesalpinia sappan L. belonging to family Fabaceae is a small to medium-sized thorny densely branched tree native to tropical Asia. It is commonly known as Pathimukham and Chapangam. The bipinnate leaves dark leaflets are arranged towards the tips of branches. The attractive yellow flowers in panicles at leaf axils and towards the terminal end, the woody pods are flat turning reddish brown. The heartwood is of reddish colour and is valued for its natural dye and medicinal properties. In Kerala it is popular as it is used to prepare medicated water and is much used in Ayurveda. The bright yellow flowers and reddish heartwood make it an attractive ornamental and medicinal species. Green Ahalia has a captive plantation of the species at the campus.