Science

is now becoming rare in the wild. All the chairs in the cathedral’s pews are made of Satinwood.

8. Calamander (Diospyros quaesita): TREES IN THE it is also called Coromandel. Sinhala: Kalu Medhiriya. The name calamander seems to have been derived from the Sinhala name. Calamander is a species of tree CATHEDRAL endemic to Sri Lanka. The wood of this tree is black and hard like ebony. It is a beautiful wood since it has streaks of brown mixed with Roughbark Lignum-Vitae Guaicum officinale. black. One tree here is 15 feet tall. GARDENs This species is on the IUCN list of endangered trees. When the Dutch By Jayantha Jayewardene different palm trees and (g) important small shoot near the root, which was 3. Rosalee or Indian Rosewood lot of light to grow. The tree in the held the maritime provinces, they timber trees in a wood lot. There are collected by Vimal and planted in a (Dalbergia latifolia): Sinhala: cathedral is 20 feet tall. felled a large number of calamander he Anglican around 150 different species and poly bag. When the tree was about Kalumara. Tamil: Karunthuvarai, trees to make furniture. Cathedral of more than 600 trees planted in these two and a half feet tall, it was planted Iraavadi. This tree produces a 5. Kolon (Adina cordifolia): Sinhala: Christ the Living premises. close to where the original tree stood. hard, durable, heavy wood which Kolon. Tamil: Kadambai. The two Savior is located The new tree is about 20 feet tall now. when properly cured is durable trees growing here of 30 feet and 20 on Bauddhaloka Over the years many species of trees This tree grows well in South America. and resistant to rot and insects. feet were planted by Vimal Pieris. Mawatha which was have been planted in the cathedral In Sri Lanka it does not get into full There is a single tree of this species Kolon timber has been used for once Buller’s Road. gardens, mainly by Mr. Vimal Pieris, bloom, but blooms only in sections. here. This was brought from boat building since it is resistant TWhen I was a schoolboy the land on who looked after the gardens for India by Dr. Vivekanandan, the to marine borer. The juice of the which the cathedral now stands was over 35 years. This article describes a 2. Roughbark Lignum-Vitae or then Silviculturalist of the Forest bark is applied externally to kill the yard of Socoman and Co, a French number of the species growing there Gaïacwood (Guaicum officinale): this Department and given to Vimal worms found in sores. Sometimes firm that was working on the Greater now. Since Socoman’s yard had many tree is also called the tree of life. All Pieris. The Coconut Research the crushed leaf of this tree is used Colombo Water project. There was a heavy vehicles, there was a lot of species of the genus Guaiacum are Institute at Lunuwila has a tree of for “nanu” for the Sinhala new year golf link adjacent to this yard which oil that had drained into the soil and now listed in Appendix II of CITES the same species but with a different festival and the leaves are used to is where the Bandaranaike Memorial contaminated it. Vimal had to excavate (the Convention on International form of leaf. These leaves are broader stand on during the traditional oil International Conference Hall (BMICH) this soil from each planting hole, Trade in Endangered Species of Wild than those of the single tree in the anointing ceremony. now stands. The golf club which was take it away and put in new soil in Fauna and Flora) as a potentially cathedral. 6. Ath demata (Gmelia arborea). there does not exist anymore and which would grow. There still is endangered species. A natural resin contaminated soil in some areas. can be extracted from the wood. This 4. Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus Sinhala: Ath Demata. Tamil: Kumil the golf links have been built on. The and Kumalan. Maybe it is called Ath cathedral stands on a land area of a little resin has a lubricating quality and santalinu): Sinhala: Rath Handun. 1. Pink Trumpet tree (Tabebuia demata since the trunk of the tree over 10 acres. It was consecrated on the was used in the shipping industry for This tree is not indigenous. However, avellanedae): this tree was presented resembles the leg of an elephant, as 7th of November 1973. the construction of the main bearing there is one tree presented by Lyn by Mrs Smedley, wife of the then in the final drive of the propeller shaft de Alwis, former Director of Wildlife the picture shows. The two trees in Many species of trees have been British High Commissioner, when of ships. The wood is also resistant and the Zoological Gardens, which he these premises are 50 ft. and 20 ft. planted in the cathedral gardens. They the cathedral was first built. At the to salt. It is the fourth-hardest variety had brought from India. This tree is tall. The fruit is used as a dye and the have been planted in sections. The beginning the side branches of the of wood as measured by the Janka valuable because of the rich red color bark and roots are used for medicinal sections are (a) flowering trees on the tree were trimmed, as a rule, before hardness test. It is the national flower of its wood. The wood is not aromatic purposes. sides of the front lawn and on either the start of the south west monsoon of Jamaica. Members of this genus but has a pleasant smell when 7. Ceylon satinwood (Chloroxylon side of the front entrance (b) medicinal in order to balance the tree and protect have a variety of uses, including powdered. Red Sandalwood is used in swietenia): Sinhala: Burutha. Tamil: it from wind damage. When this lumber, for medicinal purposes and as India in traditional herbal medicine trees on the BMICH side continuous to Mutirai, Vaaimaram. Because of its balancing was not done, the tree had ornamentals. There are three trees in as an antipyretic, anthelmintic tonic, the road leading out of the premises high quality timber, this tree has (c) fruit trees (d) spice trees (e) beverage fallen over and the main tree died the cathedral garden, also brought by for dysentery, as an aphrodisiac and as a result. Fortunately, there was a been cut down indiscriminately and trees such as tea, cocoa, cinnamon (f) Mrs. Smedley. a diaphoretic. These trees need a Ath demata - Gmelia arborea.

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9. Diya na ( thwatesii): this dried. This fruit is especially popular taste, with sweet, bitter and pungent douche to treat vaginal discharge. tree is endemic to Sri Lanka. In the with bears, which climb the tree secondary tastes. It has a very high The resin is applied topically in the Trees in t he ca

most recent revision Diya na is and gorge themselves on the fruit. concentration of vitamin C. treatment of skin conditions. The named Mesua thwaitesii and na as Monkeys, bats, giant squirrels and bark is used, either as a powder or . The stem of the tree civet cats also eat the fruit off the 18. Gammalu (Pterocarpus in a de coction, in the treatment of is separated by protruding vertical tree. When the bears eat the fruit, marsupium): Tamil: Acamai, diarrhea. A de coction of the bark is

Science streaks. The tree here is 15 feet tall. some of it fall onto the ground. These Acanapann. There is one tree in very useful for diabetic patients. All the parts of this tree are used for are picked by deer, wild boar and the gardens which is 45 feet tall. medicinal purposes. porcupine that cannot climb the tree. The whole gammalu tree is used The heartwood is considered to be Kalu Habaraliya - Diospyros ferrea. The fruit is an intoxicant. for medicinal purposes. The resin, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, 10. Wewarana (Alseodaphne obtained from wounds in the bark, antioxidant and astringent. It is semecarpifolia): Tamil: 14. Spanish cherry - (Mimusops is astringent and is used to make used to treat a range of complaints. construction of doors and window 22. Kalu habaraliya (Diospyros Kanaippirandai. It is a tree endemic elengi): Sinhala: Moonamal. Tamil: incense. It is used in the treatment of Gammalu is related to Red frames. Various parts of the tree are ferrea): also known as black ebony, to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. Magizham Maram. There are two chronic diarrhoea and the irritation Sandalwood and it is used to make used for medicinal purposes. Milla there is one tree which is 20 feet tall. This tree is 20 feet tall. It is a trees in the cathedral gardens, caused by gastric infection and fake sandalwood powder. timber beams cannot be used as Kalu habaraliya, which belongs to species which is under threat in each about 20 feet tall. Moonamal colitis. Although it has an unpleasant horizontal beams because of its the calamander and ebony family, 19. Milla (Vitex pinnata): Tamil: Nadu. the wild, mainly due to habitat loss. is used in medicine and also as an flavor, it makes a good mouthwash structural strength. It is resistant branches off at a low level. The fruit There are two trees in the compound. It is found mostly in the Badulla ornamental flowering tree. The fruit and gargle. It is commonly used in to termite attacks and decay and is edible when ripe. It is said to be This wood is very popular for the area. Wewarana is also called “rani” is edible and is used in traditional cases of toothache and also as a is used for fence posts etc. where a food consumed during times of because the timber has a wavy grain medicine. Its timber is valuable. The exposure to the sun and rain and famine in southern India. The wood look to it, resembling a lady’s hair. tree gives a lot of shade and the contact with the soil is inevitable. is closely-grained, very hard, dense flowers are fragrant. and durable and heavy, but is liable 11. Helamba (Mitragyna parvifolia): 20. Keta-kela (Bridelia retusa): to split. this species is native to India and Sri 15. Aralu (Terminalia chebula) : Tamil: Mullu-Vengai, Adamarudu. Lanka. It is used in native medicine Tamil: Kadukkai. The tree in The wood of this tree was used 23. Masang (Zizyphus mauritiana): and also for its fine timber. The juice the gardens is 40 feet tall. It is a for door and window frames. The earlier, this tree was confused with of the fruit augments breast milk in deciduous tree in that its leaves unrestricted use of this tree has Ziziphus jujuba. It is an evergreen lactating mothers. Many places in fall off annually. The fruit is used now made it rare in the wild. People shrub or small tree, which grows up the dry zone are named helamba. as the main ingredient in the in days gone by made logs from to 15 meters in height with many (Ex. Helambewa, Helambagaswewa, ayurvedic formulation of triphala, this tree for use as fence posts drooping branches. The fruit is of Helamba watta ect). This indicates which is used for kidney and liver since the logs are termite resistant. variable shape and size. In the past, that the tree is a part of village life. dysfunctions. Dhobies (launderers) this tree had formed an arch under use this stain as an ink to mark 21. Ebony (Diospyros ebenum): which newly married couples had 12. Lychee (Litchi chinensis): this clothes. Sinhala: Kaluwara. This tree was posed for photographs. tree is about 20 feet tall. The lychee planted by Nigel Billimoria and is is native to the Guangdong and 16. Bulu (Terminalia bellirica): Tamil: now 15 feet tall. There is another Fujian provinces in China. It is a Thandri. The tree is 60 feet tall. The tree which is eight feet tall. The popular dessert which is prepared in fruit, seed and stem are used for wood is used for the construction of many forms. Lychee seeds contain medicinal purposes. The wood is expensive furniture and for carving. methylene cyclopropyl glycine used in heavy construction. The nuts Ebony is an evergreen, slow- which can cause low blood sugar. of the tree are rounded but have five growing tree. It is a well- known These trees require a cool and dry flatter sides. timber tree and is highly valued climate to bear fruit. for its black wood which is used for 17. Nelli / Medicinal Nelli furniture making. The wood is very 13. Ceylon iron wood (Manikara (Phyllanthus emblica): the gardens heavy and durable and resistant to hexandra): Sinhala: Palu. Tamil: have one tree which is 15 feet tall. All fungi and insect attack. The fruits Ulakkaippaalai. There are two trees parts of the plant including the fruit, are edible and have medicinal uses. 30 feet and 15 feet tall in the gardens. seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers The bark and leaves are used as a When the palu is in fruit in our are used in various ayurvedic blistering plaster. jungles many species are attracted medicines and herbal preparations. to it. The fruit can be eaten fresh or The fruit is sour and astringent in Gammalu - Pterocarpus marsupium. Masang - Zizyphus mauritiana.

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24. Dawata (Carallia brachiata): over from the seed after extraction When the beraliya is in season in the 32. Kohomba (Azadiachta indica): Tamil: Antimiriyam. This tree has of oil, constitutes a very good Sinharaja forest, villagers come into the whole tree is used in medicine. Trees in t he ca

grown at an angle seeking sunlight fertilizer. In India, the flowers are the forest in the morning and collect A non-drying oil extracted from because of the shade which has used to produce an alcoholic drink. the fruit which has fallen in the early the seed, called margosa oil, has covered it. The juice from the Several parts of the tree, including morning. Even though this forest is a insecticidal properties. The oil has macerated leaves is used in the the bark, are used for their medicinal protected area, villages are allowed to long been produced in Asia on an

Science treatment of fevers. The pulverized properties. come and collect beraliya. industrial scale for soaps, cosmetics, bark is rubbed on the body in the pharmaceuticals and other non- treatment of smallpox. The leaves 29. Dik kekuna / Kekuna (Canarium 31. Beraliya dun (Shorea zeylanica): edible products. The wood is used and bark are used in local medicine zeylanicum): this is a species of this species is endemic to Sri Lanka. to make wardrobes, bookcases and to treat septic poisoning and itch. which is endemic to At a height of 80 feet, it is one of the closets, as well as packing cases Sri Lanka. The tree is harvested from tallest trees in the garden. It is as tall because of its quality as an insect 25 Goraka (Garcinia gummi-gutta): the wild for its gum-resin and edible as a coconut tree growing nearby. repellent. this tree has been broken by a seed, both of which are used locally. In earlier times, it was commonly falling branch from the Wal dhel One tree is about 30 feet tall. found in the Sinharaja forests. The 33. Ruk attana (Alstonia scholaris): tree (see below). Goraka is used as bole is straight and cylindrical. It is the whole tree is used for medicinal a food preservative. The fruit, bark, 30. Beraliya (Shorea cordifolia): there harvested from the wild for its timber purposes. The wood is very light root and leaf extracts of Garcinia is one tree in the gardens which is and a resin that exudes from the and is used for light construction, gummi-gutta are considered suitable 40 feet tall. Beraliya is endemic to trunk. It is used for making plywood. ceilings, pattern making, plywood, for treating several ailments such Sri Lanka. This tree blooms once This tree has been classified as carving and moldings. In Sri Lanka, as gastrointestinal discomfort, every four years. Pittu, a Sinhalese 'critically endangered' in the IUCN Red this wood is also used to make rheumatism, obesity, uterine food, is made out of the young fruit. List of Threatened Species (2009) coffins. diseases, arthritis, diuresis, ulcers and indigestion. Garcinia gummi- gutta rinds can be blended together with cardamom and sugar and consumed as a soft drink.

26. Wal dhel (Artocarpus nobilis): Wal dhel - Artocarpus nobilis. it is endemic to the south western regions of Sri Lanka. Local people call it "wal dhel”, "baedi dhel" or to increase their fire resistance. "hingala dhel". This tree has been The light brown sapwood is in the gardens from the time the slightly soft. The wood, which land was a Socoman Co. yard. It now is moderately hard and has grows in the middle of the wall that durability under water for around separates the cathedral grounds and three years, is sometimes used the BMICH. The fruit of the wal dhel for house-building or gunstocks. is edible. It is used in medicine. It is a 28. Mee (Madhuca longifolia): good timber. Tamil: Iluppai. There are two 27. Honda para (Dillenia indica): trees in these gardens. Medicinal commonly known as elephant apple. oil is extracted from the seeds. The fruits can be rubbed in water to It is cultivated in warm and make soap and the pulp is used as a humid regions for its oleaginous substitute for shampoo for washing seeds, flowers and wood. The fat hair. The juice of the leaf is applied (solid at ambient temperature) is to the scalp to prevent baldness. The used for the care of the skin, to dried leaves are used to polish ivory. manufacture soap or detergents, The wood ash is added to clay bricks Honda and as a vegetable butter. It can Beraliya - Shorea cordifolia. para - Dillenia indica. also be used as a fuel oil. The left

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34. Ruk (Horsfieldia iryaghedhi): 38. Sandalwood (Santalum album): in incense, cosmetics, perfumes, Some years ago, five trees growing in this tree is endemic and critically Sinhala: Suduhandun. The wood and soaps. Used for carvings, the these gardens were cut down to construct Trees in t he ca

endangered. The flowers and bark is heavy, yellow, fine-grained wood is valued because of its dense a meditation area. These five trees were: of this tree are used for medicinal and, unlike many other aromatic character. About one year ago a 20 sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan), pathangi purposes. The flowers are also used woods, they retain their fragrance foot tall sandalwood tree, about 18” (Caesalpinia sappan), candlenut tree (Aleurites as offerings in temples. The flowers, for decades. Sandalwood oil is in girth, was cut and taken away by moluccana), S: thel kekuna/ rata kekuna,

Science especially of the male form, are extracted from the wood and is unknown persons from the cathedral olive tree (Olea europae) and hal (Vateria extremely fragrant. The male flowers commonly used as a fragrance gardens. copallifera). The olive plant was brought have the scent of sandalwood. The from Jerusalem by the late Mrs Kusum wood is white to light yellow with red Weerasinghe. Today, the cathedral gardens streaks. It is moderately heavy and do not have any of these plants. even-grained. It is used locally for making boats. Acknowledgements: Mr. Vimal Pieris and Mr. Sudath Abeysinghe 35. Domba (Calophyllum inophylum): assisted me to write this article. Vimal has the whole plant is used in medicine. been in charge of these gardens for over 35 The wood is used for cart building. years. The luxuriant growth of the many The oil, extracted from the seed, different species seen in the gardens is due can heal wounds. This is why it to Vimal’s commitment and dedication. is used in traditional and modern Sudath has a Masters Degree in Environment medicine for a wide range of skin Management and has spent time studying problems. The oil has also shown the trees and plants in the Peradeniya anti-inflammatory antifungal, Botanical Gardens. All the photographs that antibacterial and insecticidal activity. appear here were taken by him. Vimal and Sudath helped me to identify the different 36. Gan sooriya (Thespesia species growing in the cathedral gardens. populnia): the whole plant is used My grateful thanks are due to both of them • in medicine. The wood is used for making gun stocks. This tree is Pix by Sudath Abeysinghe valuable as a coastal windbreak Velvet apple - Diospyros discolor. [email protected], [email protected] because it is highly resistant to wind and salt spray and grows well in sandy, saline soils. Young leaves, raw 39. Velvet apple (Diospyros discolor): or cooked, is eaten as a vegetable. this tree has an edible fruit and a The leaves can also be boiled or skin covered in a fine, velvety fur, added to soups. The leaves are also which is usually reddish-brown. The used for wrapping food. fruit is soft, creamy, has pink flesh, with a taste and aroma comparable 37. Madu (Cycas circinalis): the raw to fruit cream cheese. It is native to seed is poisonous, but after it is cut the Philippines. There is one tree in into thin slices, dried, then steeped the cathedral gardens. It seems to be in water for a few minutes and dried rare in Sri Lanka. again, it becomes edible. It can be used as sago. The use of the seed 40. Divi kaduru (Pagiantha as food cannot be recommended dichotoma): the nut of this tree is because of toxicity. The very young poisonous but the leaves and bark leaves are edible. of the plant are used in indigenous medicine to treat wounds, eye infections, toothache, fistula, snake bite and centipede bites. Suduhandun - Santalum album. Divi kaduru – Pagiantha dichotoma.

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