For your timber needs

Known best for its timber, Helamba is a fairly tall tree growing up to 15m. It has a straight bark with a rounded top.

The bark flakes off in pieces and is grayish-pink in colour. The leaves are broadly oval with rounded ends. Small tufts of hair appear on the underside of the leaves in the vein axils.

The flowers of the Helamba are scented and greenish yellow. They appear in April, July and August. The fruits are capsules, which can be seen in large clusters.

The timber produced by this tree is hard and heavy, and is used for making furniture. The roots and barks are used for medicinal purposes. A decoction of the root and bark is given for fever and colitis. An allied species, Mitragyna speciosa is used as a narcotic, in the manner of opium, in Malaysia.

Helamba, as it is known in Sinhala and English, is Chelampai in Tamil. The scientific name is Mitragyna parvifolia. It is native to Sri Lanka, India and Burma, and is seen growing in the monsoon and intermediate forests. Often it grows near waterways, and is even seen growing in water. Specimens can be seen at the IFS-Popham Arboretum in Dambulla.

Compiled by: Ruk Rakaganno: 2554438, email: rukraks@sltnet.lk