Cannonball tree

Cannonball tree

നാഗപ്പൂവ് 

 

Scientific name  :  Couroupita guianensis, known by a variety of common names including cannonball tree, is a deciduous tree  in the flowering plant 

Family: Lecythidaceae.

It is native to the tropical forests  of Central  and South America,    and it is cultivated in many other tropical areas throughout the world because of its beautiful, fragrant flowers and large, interesting fruits. Fruits are brownish grey.  There are medicinal uses for many parts of Couroupita guianensis,   and the tree has cultural and religious significance in India..

Couroupita guianensis is planted as an ornamental  for its showy, scented flowers, and as a botanical specimen for its interesting fruit.

The fruit is edible, but is not usually eaten by people because, in contrast to its intensely fragrant flowers, it can have an unpleasant smell. It is fed to livestock such as pigs and domestic fowl.

There are many medicinal uses for the plant. Native Amazonians  use extracts of several parts of the tree to treat hypertension, tumors, pain, and inflammation . It has been used to treat the common cold, stomachache,  skin conditions and wounds,malaria , and toothache .

In India, the tree introduced from South America has been adopted as sacred to Hindus,  who believe its hooded flowers look like the naga , and it is grown at Shiva temples