Crateva religiosa

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Crateva religiosa G. Forst.
  • Common Name : Vayvarno, The Sacred Barna, Caper
  • Plant Family : Capparaceae or Capparidaceae
  • Plant Form : Tree
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 28
  • Occurrence (Special Areas) : Van Chetana Kendra

About Crateva religiosa Plant :

  • Habit : A small deciduous tree.
  • Leaves : Trifoliate, often clustered at the ends of branches, long petioled, leaflets ovate, acuminate, glabrous, shining above, pale below.
  • Inflorescence : Terminal corymbs.
  • Flowers :
    • White, Sepals ovate, small, petaloid.
    • Petals 4, clawed, veined, stamens many, filaments purple. Ovary raised on a long gynophore, ovoid, stigma sessile.
  • Fruit : Rounded, woody berry. Seeds reniform buried in yellow pulp.
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : February-March
  • Significance : It is a sacred plant and the leaves, bark and root are used in medicine as poultices or used in tanning.