P.S. Devanand*, M. Umadevi, M. Tilak, R. Vijayan, K. Hemaprabha, K.B. Sujatha, K. Nelson Navamani Raj, B. Sivakumar, P. Radha, S. Utharasu and K. Kumaran
Faculties, Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam 641301
Email: devps7@yahoo.com
Received-01.02.2023, Revised-11.02.2023, Accepted-23.02.2023
Abstract: A rainfed wasteland evergreen ediable oil tree, Simarouba glauca, is commonly known as ‘Laxmitaru’ or ‘paradise tree’ belonging to family Simaroubaceae. The specific name glauca means covered with bloom which refers to the bluish green foliage. Simarouba glauca is a species of flowering tree that is native to Florida in the United States. Simarouba forms an important source of edible oil for various South and Central American countries and is widely grown in countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, Haiti and Jamaica. Cultivation of simarouba was introduced in India by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources as a potential source of vegetable oil during late sixties in sub-humid climate of Orissa. Later in seventies, the cultivation of simarouba spread to semi arid, dry and saline land areas of other Indian states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Simarouba tree has an ability to grow well even in marginal wasteland/dry land with degraded soil. Simarouba is a unique tree that all its parts are useful in one way or other. Seeds are economically important, as they contain 55–65% edible oil, which can be used in manufacture of vegetable fat or margarine. Simarouba oil is also used in industrial manufacture of soap, lubricant, paint, polishes and pharmaceuticals, etc. Shells (endocarp) are used in hard board industry. Semi sweet fruit pulp, containing 11–12% sugars is eaten and is well suited for fermentation/beverage industry. Bark and leaf of simarouba contain triterpenes useful in curing amoebiasis, diarrhoea and malaria. This evergreen tree can be grown to prevent soil erosion and waste land reclamation. It can be cultivated in marginal land or wastelands to overcome oil shortage and economically viable and ecologically sustainable. The aim of this paper is to highlight the Pharmacological importance of different parts of the plant simaruba glauca and it may give a good platform for future researcher to carry out the various research activities on simarouba glauca plant.
Keywords: Simarouba glauca, Paradise Tree, Growth parameters, Cultivation practices
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