Schleichera oleosa - Kosamra

Kosamra, Schleichera oleosa

Kosamra is a rather slow-growing, briefly deciduous tree that can reach a height of 40 metres. The bole, which is usually crooked and slightly buttressed, can be up to 2 metres in diameter, but is usually less. A multipurpose tree, supplying food, medicine and a range of commodities for local use. It is occasionally cultivated throughout the tropics, especially in India.

Uses

Skin diseases, Inflammation, Bleeding disorders, Ulcers, Diarrhea

Parts Used

Bark, Seeds, Fruits

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	chagate, chendaala, kaakuta, kendaale
Hindi	kausum, kosumb, kusum
Malayalam	poovam, nidhavanji, puvatti
Tamil	arakku, calakkam, cottilai, kancivaticcanpumaram, puvam
Telugu	botanga, busi, kodalipulusu, maavithavitiki, madakapusu, sagadipusuku, pullakaya
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	ghanaskanda, kosamra, ksudramra, laksavrksa, mukulakah, raktamrah
English	ceylon oak, kussum oil

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Rasa

Amla (Sour)

Guna

Guru (Heavy)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Habit

Tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Pinnate	alternate	paripinnate, alternate, exstipulate; leaflets 4-6, opposite or subopposite, 5-15 x 1.8-4.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, ovate or obovate, apex acute or obtuse, base oblique or rarely obtuse, margin entire, coriaceous, glabrous; rachis 5.5-11.5 cm, stout, glabrous, swollen at base; lateral nerves 10-23, parallel, prominent, intercostae reticulate, faint.

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	axillary spicate panicles	Pale yellow	7-8	Flowers polygamodioecious, 5-6 mm across, greenish-yellow, in axillary spicate panicles. Male flowers: calyx lobes 5, valvate or obscurely imbricate; petals 0; disc complete, with the disc; stamens 7 or 8, free, inserted within the disc; filaments 1.5 mm, pilose; anthers oblong; pistillode small. Bisexual flowers: ovary 2 mm, superior, 3-celled, ovule 1 in each cell; style rigid, terete; stigma 2 or 3 lobed.

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
A drupe	16-18 mm across	subcrustaceous, pointed, often echinate with stout rather blunt prickles, testa smooth, brown.		seed 1 or 2, enclosed in a pulpy aril which has a pleasant acid taste	{{{6}}}

Mode of Propagation

Seeds

How to plant/cultivate

Sow seeds directly in prepared soil. Seeds have a short viability so sow immediately after harvesting.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area, Sub tropical area

Photo Gallery

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  Young leaves

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  Young leaves

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  Leaves

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  Flowers

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  Flowers

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  Fruits

External Links

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