Myristica malabarica

Myristica malabarica is a species of plant in the family Myristicaceae. It is endemic to the Western Ghats in southwest India. It is threatened by habitat loss according to the IUCN Red List. It can reach up to 25 m long and its bark is greenish black, smooth and sometimes reddish.

Myristica malabarica
Myristica malabarica leaves
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Myristicaceae
Genus: Myristica
Species:
M. malabarica
Binomial name
Myristica malabarica

Names in local languages: Kattujathi (literally wild nutmeg), Kattujathikka, Kottappannu, Panampalka, Pathiripoovu, Ponnampannu, Ponnampayin, and Ponnampu in Malayalam; Kanage, and Doddajajikai in Kannada; Rampatri in Hindi.

It is used in Ayurvedic medicine. M. malabarica is used to adulterate true nutmeg, which comes from Myristica fragrans.

Both Myristica magnifica and M. malabarica are endangered trees that are native to Western Ghats. The swamp lands and lowlands where they normally grow have been significantly drained for agricultural use.

References
  1. CAMP Workshops on Medicinal Plants, India 1998. Myristica malabarica. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 22 August 2007.


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