Floral Wealth of Andaman &
Nicobar Islands
Cyathea albosetaceae (Bedd.)
Copel.(Tree Fern)
A tree fern is some times
used as a support for black
pepper in the Nicobar Group
of Islands and the pounded
leaves are used on wounds
and sores by the
Nicobarese. It is endemic to
Nicobars, restricted to
Central and South Nicobars.
It is a threatened species.
Cycas rumphii Miq.
A rare cycad. The leaves
and fruits are cooked and
eaten. In India, it is found
in Andaman and Nicobar
Islands. An elegant
evergreen palm like tree.
Nicobarese decorate the
welcome gates by the entire
leaves of the plant. The fruit
when ripe turns to orange
colour and is chopped into
pieces by the Nicobarese
and dried in sun for about a
month, then grind into flour
which is cooked with
chopped coconut kernel and
eaten as staple food. The
fruit or seeds are applied to
ulcers wound and skin
diseases. It is a source of
Ayurvedic drug, Vidari is
used in heart disease as
tonic.
Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.(Hindi:
Khata phal, English: Rambai)
It is one of the medicinal
plant very common in
Andamans & popularly
known as Kataphal amongst
the Local inhabitants.
Flowers are small and
cream coloured. Fruits are
orange yellow when ripe
and used as cooling drink.
Leaves help in digestion.
Couroupita guianensis Aubl.
(Bengali : Nagalingam, Hindi :
Shivalingam, English : Cannon- ball
tree)
It is believed that this
species is introduced in
these islands at the time of
settlement or even before
7947 and are worshipped
especially by the couples for
attaining parenthood. The
flowers are borne in much
profusion and the fruits
attain their maximum size
like a ba". The curious
arrangements of the
stamens is apparently to
ensure self-pollination.
Pandanus odoratissimus Linn.f.
(Kewda)
The male flowers are valued
for their fragrance and used
for the hair decoration & the
extraction of kewda attar
and kewda water are highly
prized in Indian perfumery.
It is very frequent in all the
groups of Islands.
Heritiera littoralis Dryander
[Link].
Commonly known as
'Sundari'. The Sunderban is
named after this plant.
Nicobarese call it
Kamaaeuot, Onges call it
Moro. A littoral tree
conspicuous with its huge
buttress. The leaves are
dark green above, silvery
white beneath. The timber
is chiefly employed in
building boats, canoes,
ships & wharfs, used for
furniture and tool handles.
The bark contains tannin.
The Onge tribals of these
Islands prepare a kind of
tea from the leaves and
seeds. The leaves are used
by the Nicobarese for
headache and body pain. It
is very common mangroves
along the sea shores of all
the group of Islands.
Vanilla andamanica Rolfe(Orchid)
This climbing orchid is
endemic to Andaman &
Nicobar Islands, it has
creamy white fragrant
flowers. It is considered to
be wild relative of Vanilla
planifolia which is the
source of 'Vanilla' essence,
which is used for flavouring
Ice creams, cakes etc.
Dillenia indica Linn. (Elephant
apple)
It is an evergreen tree
found in the Indian land
mass. The fruit is covered
by fleshy calyx and the seed
is covered by fleshy
proteinacious aril which is
used in curry, pickle and
jelly preparations. The fruits
are said to be relished by
elephant and hence the
name.
Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.
(Alexandrian laurel - A common
seashore tree)
Popularly known as 'Poon' in
Hindi. It is a shaddy littoral
tree. Leaves shiny dark
green Flowers marble white.
Uses: Canoe making, Barks
applied to swollen glands.
Leaves used in Bone
fracture. Resin used as tonic
for Ulcers. Seed oil used in
rheumatism Distribution:
Galathea to Pygmalion point
in Great Nicobar, Dugong
Creek in Little Andaman,
Neil Island, South Andaman
& Middle Andaman.
Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb.
(Garjan)
This species has been
reported to occur in
Andamans. A lofty
evergreen tree. The wood is
extensively used for internal
construction work, making
packing cases and wagon
construction. An volatile oil
is obtained from this tree,
commonly known as garjan
oil which is applied on
ulcerated wounds. The bark
is also a part of a compound
mixture to treat toothache.
Many other species of
Dipterocarpus are found in
these islands, which yield
very useful timber and fuel
wood.
Xylocarpus molluccensis (Lam.)
Roem. (Puzzle fruit)
The fruit is a cure for
elephantiasis. The seed
kernels are bitter and it is
used as tonic in relieving
colic. The wood of the tree
is used for making boats,
house posts, furniture and
wheel spokes. It is also
suitable for second grade
pencils. The plant parts
contain high tannin.
Orophaea katschallica Kurz (Onge-
Toyongo, Nicobarese - Tapileialo)
The leaves of the shrub are
chewed and the juice is
smeared all over the body
and taken internally in the
process of honey collection
by the Onges of Little
Andaman Island. This is
claimed as a repellent
against honeybee stinging.
It is endemic to the Bay
islands and found in Little
Andaman Island and all the
groups of Nicobar.
Abroma angusta Linn. (Devils
cotton)
A large spreading shrub
with fibrous bark and
irritant hairs. The fibre from
the bark makes a pliable
and attractive rope which is
used in fishing nets. The
fresh viscid sap of the root
bark is considered to be a
valuable emenagogue and
uterine tonic. The root has
also been applied to treat
itch. It occurs in South
Andaman and Central
Nicobars.
