Family: Sapotaceae
Common name: Elengi, Spanish cherry, Bullet wood, Bakul, Tanjong, Tanjong tree, Medlar, Magizham, Maulsari, Magizhamboo, Ilanni
Elengi is a beautiful tropical tree with cultural, ornamental, and commercial significance, loved for its beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers. They are native to the coastal areas of Southeast Asian countries like India, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Australia.
But these beautiful trees have now been introduced to many more countries in the tropical and subtropical belt.
Tree Characteristics
Elengi trees have a thick, sturdy upright trunk that can reach a height of 10-16 meters with a well-rounded crown. As the tree matures, the trunk becomes fissured and cracked though the inside is hard, durable, and resistant to decay.
Elengi trees stay green throughout the year with dark green, elliptical leaves that have a smooth, shiny, leathery surface. The edges of the leaves are smooth or wavy, and the tips could be pointy or rounded off.
Elengi leaves are 10-15 cm long and 5-8 cm wide, arranged in an alternate fashion on the stems.
The highlight of the Elengi tree is its beautiful, star-shaped, fragrant flowers that are creamy white in color with a faint yellow tint at the center.
Each flower is 2-3 cm in diameter with thin, white, almost translucent petals and light green sepals just below them. The center of the flower is raised like a tiny tower.
Elengi flowers are beautifully fragrant, filling the air with a heady fragrance during late evenings and early mornings. The flowers retain their scent for many days, and hence they are used to make garlands, especially in temples and shrines, and also for rituals like wedding ceremonies.
Their intense, sweet, and pleasant fragrance attracts a large number of pollinators like small birds, bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects that swarm the tree during summer months.
Fruits of the Elengi tree are small and berry-like, initially green, later turning yellow and orange as they ripen. They are about 2-3 cm in diameter with a smooth, leathery outer covering. These fruits are edible, but they are not very commonly eaten by humans.
Each fruit contains a single, hard dark brown seed inside which is roughly oval in shape, about .5 to 1 cm long.
Gardening Tips
Elengi trees need direct sunlight and good rainfall, typical of tropical coastal weather. These trees grow well in Kerala and Goa, and are of great religious significance in Hindu rituals. They need well-drained, loamy soil, but they are tolerant of a variety of soil conditions.
When the trees are small, they need regular watering and fertilization. But once they are adapted to the soil, Elengi trees can be pretty much left alone to flower and fruit year after year, filling your garden with fragrance and joy.
Pruning and pesticide applications are generally not needed. Any infestation when the tree is small should be dealt with immediately. Pruning can be done to keep the tree small and bushy.
Fertilization can be done once in 3-4 months and just before the blooming season with compost, cow dung, neem cake, and also with NPK, Boron, etc., to take care of the mineral requirements.
Uses of Elengi Trees
Flowers of the Elengi trees are very aromatic and can retain their fragrance for many days, making them good options for flower arrangements and garlands. They are used in perfumery, and the essential oils derived from them are used in making cosmetics and soaps.
Leaves and bark of the Elengi tree are also used in making essential oils that are used in the beauty industry.
Seeds of the tree are used for making necklaces since they are quite hard and strong. The bark is used for tanning and also for producing a brown dye.
The wood of the Elengi tree is very hard, durable, strong, and resistant to decay. Hence they are used in building houses, ships, boats, bridges, door frames, poles, railway sleepers, instruments, furniture, cabinets, and heavy construction.
Fruits of the Elengi tree are eaten raw, preserved, and pickled. Parts of the tree are used in the treatment of wounds, toothache, headache, skin diseases, diarrhea, constipation, fever, eczema, snake bites, and a range of common ailments.
But it is not advisable to consume any part of a plant as food or medicine without expert guidance, since most plants have some amount of toxicity.
Elengi trees are ecologically significant because they provide shade and shelter for humans and other animals, nectar for insects, and sweet fruits that are edible.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, stem cuttings, and grafting.
Since the seeds have a very hard shell, it helps to soak the seeds in water for a day, and also scarify them a little before planting. Semi-hardwood cuttings taken from healthy plants can take root in moist, well-drained soil.
Grafting scions of a chosen plant onto a rootstock can help grow trees quicker and more efficiently.
Photographed at: Kings Flora Organic Farm Resort, Wayanad
