Flora of the Nilgiris

Habit : An extensive scrambler.

Habitat and Distribution : Common in moist evergreen forests and tree fall gaps, close to rivers.  Foothills to 1400m. Numbers decreasing in Nilgiris. Indian subcontinent.

Indigenous Information : The dried and powdered pods are used as a shampoo. Elephants eat the plants. Pods are used in various ceremonies.

Field Tips : Bark creamish. Small hooked prickles present on twigs and branchlets.

 

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Names:

English : Soap Pod Tree
Irula : Mande seengai
Tamil : Seeyakkai
Hindi : Ban ritha

Flower:

In terminal or axillary racemes or panicles, pale yellow. Flowering from February-April.

Fruit :

A reddish pod. Seeds 4-6, black, ovoid or compressed. Fruiting from March-April.