I am Maghizham. I am also known as Vakulam, Indian Bulletwood and Maulsari. My botanical name is a bit long — it is Mimusops elengi.
You see me as: A medium-sized tree, with a thick umbrella-shaped crown. Between March and July, my small star-shaped, yellowish-white flowers fill the night air with a delicious, heady fragrance. I have oval-shaped, shiny, pointed leaves, and orange, edible berries for fruit.
About me: My Tamil name Maghizham means “bringing joy”, and my therapeutic fragrance increases as my flowers dry up. My flowers are strung into hair adornments. Various parts of me are used for oral hygiene. True to my name (Indian Bulletwood), my wood is extremely hard, strong, tough, and deep red in colour.
I am: Associated with the Carnatic raga, Vakulabharanam. I am considered to be a sacred tree in Hindu mythology, and I also figure in the Amaravati and Sanchi stupas. I am an emblem of Neminatha, a Jain Tirthankara, who is said to have attained enlightenment under my canopy.
Did you know: The Maghizham Avenue on the Kalakshetra campus in Chennai is a treat for the senses
Courtesy: Nizhal- A Trust to promote tree conservation
