Eluppa

Planted in the memory of Bal Gangadhar Tilak on the occassion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

Overview & Habitat

Madhuca longifolia, commonly known as the Mahua tree, holds a prominent place in India’s ecological, cultural, and economic landscape.
Referred to as the ‘Tree of Life’ for indigenous communities.
Thrives in tropical and subtropical forests.
Plays a crucial role in rural economies, from sustenance to medicine.
Its utility extends far beyond just a source of shade.

Madhuca longifolia stands between 10 to 18 m tall.
An evergreen or semi-evergreen tree, depending on climatic conditions.
Features a dense canopy with leathery, elliptic leaves, creating an imposing sight.
The bark is rough, dark brown, and fissured, secreting milky latex upon incision, a characteristic once of interest to pharmaceutical companies.
Its widespread branches provide an invaluable habitat for several species of birds and insects.

The mahua flowers are small, white, and fragrant, blooming in clusters from February to April.
Rich in nectar, the flowers are vital for pollinators and serve as a key food source for tribal communities, who ferment them to produce a potent alcoholic drink.
The growing commercialization of mahua liquor raises concerns about overharvesting and its impact on biodiversity.

By May, the tree bears fleshy, ovoid, greenish-yellow drupes with one to four seeds.
These seeds are processed to extract mahua oil, a non-edible oil used in soap production, lubricants, and biofuels.
Unregulated extraction of mahua oil risks depleting resources that indigenous populations have long relied upon for basic needs.

Madhuca longifolia belongs to the Sapotaceae family and is classified into two subspecies: Madhuca longifolia var. longifolia and Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia.
The taxonomic ambiguity between these subspecies has caused confusion in their commercial use, with some variants preferred for oil extraction and others for flower yield.

The uses of Madhuca longifolia are diverse but often underscored by socio-economic tensions.
Indigenous groups collect flowers and seeds for food and income, while the tree’s value attracts larger agricultural and pharmaceutical industries.
Mahua oil, traditionally used in lamp lighting, soap production, and as a pesticide, now competes with modern agricultural products.
The Tamils use the flower of M. longifolia as a substitute for cane sugar due to its sweetness.
The alkaloids in the press cake of mahua seeds are used in killing fish in aquaculture ponds and fertilizing them for restocking.
Mahua oil has emollient properties and is used in treating skin diseases, rheumatism, headaches, constipation, piles, and as an emetic.
Native tribes have also used mahua oil as an illuminant and hair fixer.
In traditional medicine, mahua is used for treating skin diseases, diabetes, and respiratory issues.
The medicinal knowledge of mahua is at risk of being appropriated by pharmaceutical companies seeking to patent compounds derived from the tree.
The commercialization of mahua liquor raises ethical concerns, with some questioning whether profits benefit the communities that rely on the tree for survival.

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