AKPL

]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 28 - 42°c, though it can tolerate 5 - 49°c[

]. It can resist occasional light frosts, with new growth being killed at -1°c, but dormant growth being tolerant down to -3°c[

598

]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 750 - 4,000mm, tolerating 500 - 5,000mm and preferring a distinct dry season[

].
Grows best in a sunny position[

]. Prefers a deep, rich, well-drained soil, but tolerating a wide range of conditions[

]. Established plants are drought tolerant[

], and can also withstand occasional inundation of the soil[

]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.9 - 7.2
A fast-growing plant, especially when young
The plant can commence flowering when around 8 - 10 years old from seed
The plant produces suckers, especially when young, though they often die after 2 - 3 years, especially as the tree grows older[

].
Young trees can be coppiced, but older trees will often fail to grow back after being cut down
The tree has a thick bark which acts as an insulation and allows it to recover from fires

Edible Uses

Flowers - cooked. They are highly valued as a curry vegetable[

]. The flower buds and the calyx of not fully opened flowers are eaten cooked as a vegetable[

].

Young leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[

].

Ripe seeds are eaten roasted[

301

].

An oil is obtained from the seed[

301

].

Young roots - raw or roasted[

]. Rich in starch[

].

Gum[

Medicinal

The flowers are astringent and refrigerant[

]. They are used to treat cutaneous troubles[

].

The young roots are diuretic and tonic[

]. They are used in the treatment of cholera, tubercular fistula, coughs, urinary complaints, nocturnal pollution, abdominal pain due to dysentery, and impotency[

].

The gum is astringent, demulcent and tonic[

]. It is used in the treatment of dysentery, haemoptysis in pulmonary tuberculosis, influenza and menorrhagia[

].

The leaves are hypotensive and hypoglycaemic[

]. A decotion of the shoots have reputedly been used to treat ulcers of the palate, syphilis, leprosy and spider or snake bites[

]. Combined with the roots of Moghania macrophylla, the fruit of Terminalia chebula and borax, they are used to treat enlarged spleen; they are combined with Capparis zeylanica and Carissa carandas to treat oedema; and with fenugreek to treat corns on the foot[

].
The seedlings have reputed antipyretic activity (when ground with a few leaves of fistula and Semecarpus anacardium). They are combined with Vitis spp. (part not specified) to treat carbuncle; and with Terminalia alata to treat haematuria[

].

The knots or the stem are used on bleeding gums (cooked in mustard oil with the bark of Zyzyphus rugosa and Ichnocarpus frutescens and then eaten[

]).

The bark is reputedly aphrodisiac; it is used against cholera (usually combined with many other plants), pleurisy, stings and as a diuretic. It is also used in bandages for lasting fractures or given in infusion for toothache before visiting the dentist[

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing plant, tolerant of full sun even when small and with a wide range of uses, it can be used as a pioneer when restoring native woodland[

]. It can also be used as a pioneer when establishing a large woodland garden, being able to remain as a canopy tree as the garden matures[

].
The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[

1174

Other Uses

The seed floss is used as a stuffing material for pillows, cushions etc[

310

454

]. It is considered to be vermin-proof[

]. Waterproof and buoyant, it can be used as the filling in life jackets[

]. It is sometimes also as an insulating material in refrigerators etc; can be used as a packing material; and has sound-proofing properties[

]. It is of lower quality than the floss obtained from Ceiba pentandra[

].

A fibre is obtained from the inner bark[

598

]. It is suitable for cordage[

454

598

].

An extract of the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a humectant[

1243

].

A transparent gum exudes from the bark and sapling root[

]. It is called 'Gum of Malabar'[

]. The gum contains tannins[

]. The gum can be mixed with ashes and castor oil, and is then used as a cement for caulking iron saucepans[

].

An oil obtained from the seed is used to make soap and for illumination etc[

]. It can be used as a substitute for cottonseed oil[

].

A methanol extraction of the leaf powder has been shown to be a potent larvicide in mosquito control programmes. The extract from the plant could be used in stagnant water bodies which are known to be the breeding grounds for mosquitoes[

1404

].

The fibrous bark is used for making ropes[

].

The greyish, dark-streaked wood is coarse-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, very soft and pithy[

310

]. It can be used to make packing cases, toys, matches, pencils etc[

]. Large trunks are often hollowed out to make canoes[

]. The wood has been recommended as a source of cellulose[

Propagation

Seed - sown fresh, without pre-treatment, they have a high germination rate[

]. Some reports suggest germination rates can be improved by pre-soaking the seeds for 12 hours prior to sowing[

], this is likely to refer to seeds that have dried somewhat[

]. Seeds can be sown in a sunny position, either in situ or in nursery beds. Sprouting takes place in 10 - 25 days[

]. Transplant 5cm tall seedlings to individual containers and plant out 12 months later[