Bridelia retusa (Spinous Kino Tree)

English Common Name(s): Spinous Kino Tree

Hindi Name(s): खाजा / असणा

Botanical Name: Bridelia retusa (L.) A.Juss.

Synonyms: Bridelia cambodiana Gagnep., Bridelia fordii Hemsl., Bridelia pierrei Gagnep., Bridelia spinosa (Roxb.) Willd., Clutia retusa L., Clutia spinosa Roxb.

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Distribution: Indian Subcontinent, South China to Western Malesia.

Uses: The bark is utilized in tanning and possesses medicinal properties, while the sweetish fruit is consumed, particularly by wild pigeons. The leaves are harvested to feed cattle and are believed to rid them of worms. The heartwood, which ranges from grey to olive-brown, is close-grained, durable, seasons well, and is moderately hard. It is commonly used for making cattle-yokes, agricultural implements, carts, and in construction. Its ability to withstand water exposure makes it suitable for well-curbs [1].

Bridelia retusa (Spinous Kino Tree)

A deciduous tree with a spreading crown; it can grow up to a height of 25 m or more. The straight, cylindrical bole is usually very spiny on young trees, it has prominent buttresses. Leaves palmate with 5-7 leaflets, which are oblong to oblong-lanceolate. Flowers solitary, terminal, bright red, ca. 10 cm in diam. Fruit ellipsoid, densely grey-white villous and stellate puberulent.

Flowering & Fruiting: August-December.

Etymology: The genus “Bridelia” is named in honour of Swiss botanist Samuel Elisée von Bridel (1761-1828) a bryologist, poet, librarian at Gotha, tutor to the Princes Augustus and Frederick von Gotha-Altenburg [11]. The specific epithet “retusa” comes from the Latin word retusus, which means blunt or rounded at the tip. This term refers to the shape of the leaves, which often have a rounded apex.