Epiprinus mallotiformis

Epiprinus mallotiformis (Müll.Arg.) Croizat, J. Arnold Arbor. 23: 53 1942. (Syn: Adenochlaena indica Bedd. ex Hook.f.; Adenochlaena mallotiformis (Müll.Arg.) M.R.Almeida; Cephalocroton indicus Bedd.; Cephalocroton indicus Bedd.);

Karinjikkada

Habit- Trees 12 m tall.

Branches and Branchlets- Branchlets subterete, stellately pubescent when young.

Leaves- Leaves simple, alternate, spiral; stipule ovate-lanceolate, stellately pubescent, caducous; petiole 0.7-5 cm long, canaliculate, swollen at apex and base; lamina 6.5-17.5 x 3.3-8.5 cm, usually elliptic, apex acute, base acute, margin entire, subcoriaceous, stellately pubescent when young; midrib slightly raised above; secondary nerves 5-7 pairs prominently raised beneath; tertiary nerves distantly percurrent.

Inflorescence / Flower- Flower unisexual, monoecious; inflorescence terminal racemes; male flowers numerous in clusters and female few at the base of the inflorescence.

Fruit and Seed- Capsule subglobose, scabrous; seeds 3, globose.

Understorey trees in evergreen forest up to 1200 m.

South India; in the Western Ghats- South and Central Sahyadris.

(Attributions- B. R. Ramesh, N. Ayyappan, Pierre Grard, Juliana Prosperi, S. Aravajy, Jean Pierre Pascal, The Biotik Team, French Institute of Pondicherry