What is the Mesua Ferrea plant?
Mesua Ferrea, commonly known as the Ceylon ironwood tree, is a species in the family of Caryophyllaceae, like dianthus chinensis. This is a slow-growing tree best known for the hardness of its timber. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree due to its graceful shape, foliage, pink to red leaves, and huge white flowers. This tree is native to wet, tropical regions of Sri Lanka, India, Southern Nepal, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia. The tree is the national tree of Sri Lanka. The harvest action of the tree is in the wild for its wood, which is very hard. Because of its slow growth, this tree is not ideal for timber production.
Mesua Ferrea: Key facts
| Common name | Ceylon Ironwood |
| Botanical name | Mesua Ferrea |
| Other common names | Cobra Saffron |
| Family | Calophyllaceae |
| General description | A tree can grow 30m in height. It is a large and evergreen tree. |
| Flowers | The flowers have four white petals with a bright yellow stamen. |
| Leaves | The leaves are green, while emerging leaves are red to yellowish pink and drooping. |
| Fruit/Berries | The fruit is in a capsule shape and chestnut brown color. There are one to two seeds in each fruit. |
Mesua Ferrea: Distribution
The tree is common in wet tropical regions and particularly dominant in East Asia. Mesua Ferrea is native to India, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is a canopy tree on land along the streams and in shallow soil. The tree is generally located at an elevation of 1500m.
Mesua Ferrea: Varieties
The following are varieties for Mesua Ferrea:
- Mesua Ferrea var. coromandeliana
- Mesua Ferrea var. ferrea
- Mesua Ferrea var. salicina
Mesua Ferrea flowers
Mesua Ferrea flowers, also known as Nagakesara, are renowned for their stunning beauty and rich cultural significance. The flowers are traditionally used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. In Southeast Asia, they are used to make perfume and for religious offerings. The flowers are also believed to be auspicious and are used in various Hindu and Buddhist rituals. Mesua Ferrea flowers are a testament to the plant’s enduring cultural and medicinal significance.
How to grow Mesua Ferrea?
Mesua Ferrea Tree grows well where annual temperatures vary between 30-35 degrees Celsius. When dormant, the plant can even sustain at -2 degrees Celsius. The tree prefers annual rainfall ranging from 3,000 to 4,000mm. The young trees are pretty, and can tolerate shade but require more sunlight as the tree grows larger. The tree requires a well-drained, moist soil condition. The pH of the soil preferred is 5-5.5 but can tolerate anywhere from 4.3 to 6.9. The Mesua Ferrea tree grows reasonably slowly and, therefore, cannot be grown for plantations. The tree starts producing seeds when the tree is ten to fifteen years old.
Mesua Ferrea: Uses
There are multiple uses for this tree:
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Culinary uses
The seeds are edible. The seeds need to be well-cooked and composed of 76% oil. The fruit is wrinkled when ripe and represents a chestnut in shape, size, and taste. The young leaves eaten raw have a sharp flavor.
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Medicinal uses
A mix of pounded kernels and seed oil is used for dressing wounds. A paste of the fruit can be applied to boils. A paste made from the flowers can be used as a treatment for dysentery. A traditional medicine made via the stamens of the flowers of this tree combined with seeds of another plant helps as anti-diarrhea.
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Agroforestry uses
The tree serves as an essential shade provider. It is an integral part of under planting in teak plantations.
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Other uses
The seeds produce yellowish oil used industrially. The oil is used as fuel for lighting. The flowers are used for dyeing fixed colors. The fragrant flowers are used to stuff pillows and even make cosmetics. The wood of the tree is used for heavy construction and heavy-duty flooring.
Mesua Ferrea: Care tips
It requires a warm and humid climate for the best growth. However, the tree can tolerate moderate climate conditions. Porous and fertile soil is required, especially for the young trees. Preferably shade is needed for young trees. As the tree grows more prominent, the tree requires more sunlight.
New growth begins from seeds extracted from the fruits of the tree. The seeds should be left to dry out in the sun to split and then shade-dried. The seeds are only viable for a short time after extraction from the fruit.
The tree performs well in free-draining clay and loam soils that are moderately acidic. Additionally, the tree performs well in full to partial sun exposure.
Mesua Ferrea: Toxicity
The resin excreted is poisonous if ingested. In some laboratory tests, the flowers have been shown to terminate pregnancies or cause a lack of implantation.
Mesua Ferrea: Propagation
The seeds are easy to manage, and the germination is excellent and quick. Germination happens around 30-70% and within 11-14 days. The seeds lose viability within 2-4 months. Seedlings raised in containers are best used for planting. The tree should be planted in rich and well-drained soil with good shading. The seedlings are planted in the ground after a year when their growth is 30cm.
The following propagate rules and pretreatment should be undertaken:
- Freshly dried seeds with brown color provide 100% germination.
- Seeds soaked in cold water for 24 hours help hasten germination.
- Around 400 plants are needed at a spacing of 5m x 5m for planting.
- No treatment is required before propagation.
Mesua Ferrea: Mythical and cultural significance
Mesua Ferrea, commonly known as the Ironwood tree, holds great mythical and cultural significance in various cultures. In Hindu mythology, it is associated with Lord Vishnu and is believed to possess healing and purifying properties. In traditional medicine, various parts of the tree are used to treat a range of ailments. The tree also holds cultural significance in Southeast Asia, where it is considered a sacred tree and used in various religious and cultural ceremonies. Overall, Mesua Ferrea remains an important symbol of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.
Conclusion
Mesua Ferrea is a slow-growing evergreen tree grown in level or undulating land along streams and ridges. The tree is mainly used ornamentally or in the wild. It is highly used for its medicinal benefits in Ayurveda or traditional medicine. The wood is thick and robust, however, due to the slow growth of this tree, the wood is used sparingly. Considered a national tree in Sri Lanka and a sacred tree of India, this tree is highly renowned and attractive.
FAQs
What are the services that this tree offers?
The tree is a vital shade provider in its distribution range. The tree helps with nitrogen-fixing in its environment. It is an attractive lawn tree with vivid and showy leaves. It is an intense shade tree; hence selective cutting should be done in intercropped farm systems. It is considered suitable for planting in teak plantations.
Are there any pests or diseases that may hinder the growth of Mesua Ferrea?
The wood is liable to termite attack. A particular fungus causes root or butt rotting.
How to manage the tree?
Seedlings are planted into the ground after one year of growth when the tree is 30cm tall. The tree grows very slowly.
Are there any local names the tree goes by?
Nageswar, Ceylon ironwood, Indian Rose Chestnut, Bunnak, Nagachampakamum, and Lao are some local names for this tree.
What are some characteristics of the Mesua Ferrea?
The tree attracts butterflies and bees. The trees have a hanging growth habit. It is a must-have tree at farmhouses or extensive gardens. The trees have fragrant flowers.
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