Manilkara hexandra

• Botanical Name : Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard
• Synonyms : Mimusops hexandra Roxb.
• Common Name : Rayan, Ceylon Iron Wood, Milk Tree, Wedge-Leaved Ape Flower
• Plant Family : Sapotaceae
• Plant Form : Tree
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Ayurvedic Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra, Basan

About Manilkara hexandra Plant :

• Habit : A large, evergreen slow growing tree.
• Leaves : Obovate, oblong emarginated, dark-green, coriaceous, petioles grooved.
• Inflorescence : Solitary or in fascicles of 2-6.
• Flowers :
  • Calyx segments hairy, reflexed, ovate.
  • Corolla-lobes nearly 18, in 2-series of 6 and 12.
  • Stamens 6, staminodes 6, alternate, with the stamens, bifid.
  • Ovary 12-celled.
• Fruit : Berry yellow, fleshy, 1-2 seeded.
• Flowering and Fruiting Time : September-December
• Significance :
  • The fruits are edible and selled.
  • The wood is hard and tough much used for making sugar mills and oil presses.