Maulshree

Elengi tree or Maulshree  in Hindi was one of the few trees that I had read about in a book, but had never seen it. This book mentioned almost all the trees that are widespread and grow naturally on Indian soil. Maulshree was one of the few about which I had never heard before. But my recent trip to Himachal gave me the opportunity of seeing not just one but two trees, both of them outside temples.

Not a very tall tree, occasionally reaches a height of 12-18 metres . it is the thick canopy  of the tree that is a standout feature. Evergreen, lush, dense, shining green foliage of the tree offers a welcoming shade on hot sweaty days. Flowers are small, fragrant and fill the air around with their smell.

The first one was spotted at the Jwala Devi temple in Kangra. Mostly we see Peepal or Banyan trees in temple complexes. So I was sure this must be a sacred tree. I asked a priest sitting beneath its shade who told me that it was a Maulshree.

The second one was seen growing in front of the Brij Raj Swami temple in Nurpur Fort. This one was bigger. Its two main branches were quite thick and covered a large area under its shade. It is said that along with the idols of this temple, the sapling of this tree was a gift from the king of Chittor in Rajasthan to the king of Nurpur.

Botanical name :  Mimusops elengi
Family : Sapotaceae

Common names : Maulshree, Bakula in Hindi

Elengi in Malayalam

Indian medlar, Spanish cherry, Bulletwood in English

Distribution :  a native of India grows well in subtropical rainforests. Also found in other parts of south and south- east  Asia.

Description :  a medium sized tree, occasionally reaches a height of 12-18 metres. The trunk is covered with deeply fissured grey or brownish bark. Branches emerge some distance off the ground and spread out evenly in all directions thus giving the tree a rounded, umbrella shaped canopy.

Foliage is dense and evergreen. Leaves are simple, oblong, dark green, glossy, thick with wavy margins.

Flowering is from March to July. Flowers are inconspicuous owing to their small size and subtle colour but highly fragrant. Hairy and cream coloured, flowers are star shaped arranged in small clusters. Sepals are eight and petals are arranged in two series. Stamens are eight in number.

Fruit is a berry that turns orange- red on ripening and encloses one black seed. 

 

Uses : The tree finds a mention in various religious texts as well as ancient Sanskrit literature. In ayurvedic texts it is referred under the name Bakula. Since time immemorial, various parts of this tree owing to their medicinal properties have been used to treat diseases effectively. It is known for its tooth strengthening properties. The bark and fruits are used to treat dysentery.

Edible fruit is pickled. 


Below is a picture of the Maulshree tree growing at Mangala Gauri Temple in Gaya, Bihar which is another Shaktipeeth like the Jwala Devi Temple in Kangra.