Pterocarpus marsupium

Common Name – Indian Kino Tree/ Bija

Botanical name– Pterocarpus marsupium

Habit-

• Deciduous
• Large
• Slow growing
  
  

Specific properties

• “Near Threatened” as per IUCN red list of species
• Heavily exploited for timber and resin
• Suitable for agro-forestry
• Preferable for soil reclamation
  
  

Ecology

• Fixes atmospheric nitrogen
• Larval host plant for the Charaxes psaphon (Plain Tawny Rajah), Neptis jumbah (Chestnut-streaked Sailer)
  
  

Uses

• Edible leaves
• Resin from bark is used to treat chronic diarrhoea, irritation caused by gastric infection, colitis and skin conditions
• Is a good mouthwash and gargle, treats toothache
• Leaves as poultice are used to treat boils, sores, skin diseases and in cosmetic preparations
• Extracts of wood and bark are used as skin and hair conditioners in cosmetics, for their anti-diabetic activity
• Yields red gum known as ‘kino-has medicinal uses, is source of tannins and dyeing
• Shade tree in coffee plantations
• Leaves as fodder
• Valuable Timber
  
  

Propagation

• Seeds