Bastard teak (Moduga leaves)

Bastard teak (Moduga leaves)
Availability:
Tree can grow upto 15 mts. Widely available in rural areas, barren lands and forests. Tree doesn't require much care and grows well in all areas.

Medicinal values:
Flowers of the Bastard Teak are in dark orange color and they have been used in ayurveda and ancient India in beauty and skin care. Seeds of Bastard Teak have been used in the treatment of worm infestations.

Other usage:
This plant and its produces are used in many ways. Leaves and flowers are used in various Hindu religious rituals. The Prasada (Prasadam or Prasad is a religious offering in Hinduism) is also served with these leaves in temples(like Simhachalam, AP)

The plant leaves are very popular and have been used to prepare natural and organic plates called vistarakulu (in Telugu) to serve food from ancient days along with other tree leaves(Pipal, Jackfruit, etc) based on availability. Vistarakulu are being used from ancient days in India.

Season: Leaves available throughout the year.

Name and local names:
English:Bastard teak
Sanskrit:palasa
Hindi: palash, dhak, chacha, kankeri
Telugu:Moduga, Modugu
Malayalam:muriku, shamata, brima vriksham
Tamil:porosum, kattumuruk
Kannada:muthuga,braha vriksha
Panjabi: kakak
Oria: kinjuk, porasu