Reinwardtiodendron anamalaiense (Beddome) Saldanha (MELIACEAE)
Common name
Kannada: Santhana beeja.
Description: These evergreen trees reach heights of up to 20 meters. The leaves are imparipinnate, measuring 10-30 cm in length, with 4-6 elliptic-lanceolate leaflets, each up to 16 x 6 cm. The leaflets are arranged alternately, acute or subequilateral at the base, and have an acute apex, featuring domatia in the axis of veins on the lower side. Flowers in axillary spikes or panicles with spicate branches, bisexual white. Calyx 5-lobed, imbricate. Petals 5, free, imbricate, staminal tube globose; anthers 10, in 2 whorls of 5 each, lower with prolonged connectives. Ovary 4-5-locular; locules with 2 collateral ovules; stigma 4-5-lobed. Fruit a berry. Seeds reniform, exarillate with sarcotesta.
Flowering & Fruiting : March – July.
Distribution: India: Western Ghats . Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Endemic.