Vateria copallifera

Vateria copallifera
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Vateria
Species: V. copallifera
Binomial name
Vateria copallifera
(Retz.) Alston
Synonyms

Elaeocarpus copalliferus Retz. Hemiphractum oxyandrum Turcz.

Vateria copallifera is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. Fruits have a bitter taste. Traditionally people in the surrounding villages of the tree growing areas collect fruits for preparation of various food items.

Leaves

broadly to narrowly oblong, obtuse to cordate base, abruptly tapering apex, coriaceous; petiole geniculate.

Trunk

twigs densely tomentose.

Flowers

cream; Inflorescence - stout branching panicles.

Fruits

very large, no wings, fibrous pericarp.

Ecology

rain forest canopy; alluvial floodplains; often in forest relics surrounded by cultivation of wet zone.

Uses

Wood - light construction; Bark - arresting fermentation; fruit- flour for foods like helapa (හැලප) and pittu (පිට්‍ටු); resin- varnish.

Culture

Known as හල් (hal) in Sinhala.

References