- Tecomella undulata
Taxobox
name = "Tecomella undulata"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio =Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Lamiales
familia =Bignoniaceae
genus = "Tecomella "
species = "T. undulata"
binomial = "Tecomella undulata"
binomial_authority = D.Don"Tecomella undulata" is
tree species , locally known as Rohida, found inThar Desert regions of northwest and westernIndia . It is a medium sizedtree that produces qualitytimber and is the main source of timber amongst the indigenous tree species of desert regions ofShekhawati andMarwar inRajasthan . The trade name of the tree species is Desert teak or Marwar teak."Tecomella undulata" is a
deciduous or nearlyevergreen tree of arid and semi arid regions. It occurs on flat and undulating areas including gentle hill slopes and sometimes also in ravines. It is well adapted to drained loamy to sandy loam soil havingpH 6.5-8.0. The species thrives very well on stabilized sand dunes, which experience extreme low and high temperatures. It grows in areas of scanty rainfall (annual 150-500mm) and high temperature (35 °C to 48 °C). It can withstand extreme low temperature (0 °C to −2 °C) during winter and high temperature (48 °C to 50 °C) in summers. The tree is a strong light demander. It is drought, frost, fire and wind hardy. At the time of flowering (December-February) it produces beautiful showy flowers in yellow, orange and red colours. Three types of flower bearing trees can be observed near to each other in the same vicinity.Distribution
Distribution of "Tecomella undulata" is restricted to the drier parts of the
Arabia , southernPakistan and northwestIndia up to an elevation of 1200 metres. InPakistan it is found in Baluchistan andSind . InIndia , it occurs naturally inMaharashtra ,Gujarat ,Rajasthan , Punjab andHaryana .The species is mainly found to occur in western parts of
Rajasthan . In other states its population is scanty and very rare. In Rajasthan, "Tecomella undulata" is found in Barmer,Jaisalmer ,Jodhpur , Pali,Ajmer ,Nagaur ,Bikaner ,Churu andSikar districts."Tecomella undulata" is an accepted tree species in agro
forestry and large population is found inagricultural lands. It can be observed growing incommunity land, forestland and orans in association with "Prosopis cineraria", "Capparis decidua", "Maytenus emarginata", "Zizyphus spp". And "Salvadora spp". In agriculture land it generally grows in association with "Prosopis cineraria ".Uses
"Tecomella undulata" is mainly used as a source of timber. Its wood is strong, tough and durable. It takes a fine finish. Heartwood contains quinoid. The wood is excellent for firewood and charcoal. Cattle and goats eat leaves of the tree. Camels, goats and sheep consume flowers and pods.
"Tecomella undulata" plays an important role in
ecology . It acts as a soil-binding tree by spreading a network of lateral roots on the top surface of the soil. It acts as a windbreak and helps in stabilizing shiftingsand dunes . It is considered as the home of birds and provides shelter for otherdesert wildlife . Shade oftree crown is shelter for the cattle, goats and sheep during summer days."Tecomella undulata" has got medicinal properties as well. The bark obtained from the stem is used as a remedy for
syphilis . It is also used in curingurinary disorders, enlargement ofspleen ,gonorrhoea ,leucoderma andliver diseases. Seeds are used againstabscess .References
*ROHIDA ("Tecomella undulata"), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.