About Terminalia paniculata B.Heyne ex Roth
Species Identity and Endemism
Terminalia paniculata B.Heyne ex Roth is a large commercial timber tree that is endemic to Peninsular India, and is most commonly distributed in Karnataka and Kerala.
Genus Chemical Composition and Tannin Source
Trees in the Terminalia genus are especially known for containing cyclic triterpenes, flavonoids, and tannins, and T. paniculata is the best source of tannins among them.
Use-Based Common Names
For timber uses, this tree is commonly called Kindal; for ornamental uses, it is called Flowering Murdah.
Local Common Names Across Languages
It has a range of local common names across different languages of the region: Kindal in Hindi, Hanalu in Kannada, Kindal in Konkani, Vellamaruth in Malayalam, Pillai Maruth in Tamil, Pulimaddi in Telugu, Asvakarna in Sanskrit, Kinjal in Marathi, and others.
Reproductive Features and Population Dominance
Individual T. paniculata trees produce large numbers of golden flowers and deep red fruits, and the species is dominant in its native populations.
Forest Coloration Impact
Together, the abundance of these brightly colored flowers and fruits lends striking color to entire forest areas where the species grows.
Neotypification Status
This species was recently neotypified by the Botanical Survey of India.
