Commiphora caudata

(Wight & Arn.) Engl.

Hill mango, Green commiphora

Burseraceae Edible: Fruit 76 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Commiphora caudata, the hill mango or green commiphora, is the most abundant Asian species of Commiphora of flowering plants in the frankincense and myrrh family, Burseraceae. It can be found in Southern India and Sri Lanka, usually growing in the full sun on hilly granite rock outcrops in dry zone areas. It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree which is said to be able to reach height of 10-20m, but usually is less high. The tree has a smooth, succulent green bark, which partly flakes off with age, giving rise to a characteristic patchwork of green and brown patches. Its sap has a strong resinous scent. The tree has medicinal properties. The fruit is a globose fleshy drupe with 2 to 6 valves and 1 seed that is black and has 4 wings. Remnants of branches can form a kind of thorns on the trunk. The flowers have a greenish to cream-yellow pedestal with pink to red petals.

Description

A tree. It grows 12-20 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The trunk is 15-25 cm across. The leaves are alternate of in spirals. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk and one at the end. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit is round and fleshy. It has 2-6 valves There is one seed.

Edible Uses

Both ripe and unripe fruit are pickled.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are pickled. Both the ripe and the unripe fruit are used.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The endosperm obtained from four or five fresh or dried seeds is taken two times a day for two to three days to relieve stomach ache.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In southern India it grows between 750-1,100 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, India, Sri Lanka,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings. Very easy.

Other Uses

The heartwood is grey with darker streaks; the sapwood is white. The wood cuts smoothly.

Production

In southern India plants flower April to June.

Notes

There are about 165 Commiphora species.

Synonyms

Amyris acuminata Roxb.Balsamea caudata Engl.Protium caudatum Wight & Arn.and others

Also Known As

Kiliya maram, Kiluvai, Konda-mamidi, Kondamavu, Mangkiluvai, Pachaikiluvai

References (6)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 138
A. L. P. P. de Candolle & A. C. de Candolle, Monogr. phan. 4:27. 1883
Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168
Dobriyal, M. J. R. & Dobriyal, R., 2014, Non Wood Forest Produce an Option for Ethnic Food and Nutritional Security in India. Int. J. of Usuf. Mngt. 15(1):17-37
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 193

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