Arjun (നീർമരുത്)

Scientific Name: Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn.

Synonyms: Myrobalanus cuneata (RothKuntze, Terminalia berryi Wight & Arn.

Unique ID: 137

Systematic Position

Class: Dicotyledonae

Sub Class: Polypetalae                       

Series: Calyciflorae

Order: Myrtales

Family: Combretaceae

Common Names

English – Arjun

Malayalam – നീർമരുത്

Tamil –  Marutu, Vella marutu

Hindi – Arjuna

 


 

Description: A medium sized deciduous tree, branchlets pubescent. Leaves alternate to opposite, oblong-lanceolate, thick coriaceous, margin crenate-serrate, apex obtuse; two glands on the petiole close to the leaf-blade. Flowers small, in axillary spikes. Fruit a 5-angled drupe, 5-winged.

 

Habitat: Found generally in the hill slopes near the water bodies.  

 

Distribution:  India and Sri Lanka.

 

Uses:  It is considered highly medicinal for heart diseases, diabates and in lowering high blood pressure. In Western Assam barks are cut into small pieces dried and use as substitute of tea. Wood used for making furniture.

 

Other:  Honey bees (Apis dorsata) nest on the branches.