HOLOPTELEA

Holoptelea Planch., Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot.., ser. 3, 10: 259. 1848.

2 species

Holoptelea integrifolia

Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch., Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., ser. 3, 10: 259. 1848; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 481. 1890; keralaplants.in; Ulmus integrifolius Roxb., Pl. Corom. t. 78. 1798.

Large deciduous tree to 25 m high, bark pale-grey, nearly smooth, young shoots pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate, petiolate; petiole 5-10 mm long, stout, pubescent; leaf blade 5-10 cm x 2.5-6.5 cm, ovate-oblong, ovate, elliptic-ovate or elliptic, base rounded or subcordate, apex acuminate, margin entire, distantly serrate (in young trees), coriaceous, glabrous above, appressed pubescent below when young; lateral nerves 5-9 pairs, pinnate, prominent, intercostae reticulate, prominent. Stipules linear, ca. 1.5 mm long, caducous.

Flowers green, male, female or bisexual, in axillary numerous fascicles or short racemes on the leafless branches at the leaf scars, 5-8 mm across. Perianth (sepals) 4-8, free, 1.7-2.5 mm long, pubescent, imbricate. Stamens as many as sepals; anthers pubescent. Female or bisexual flowers with longer pedicels; ovary superior, long-stipitate, compressed, 1-locular, ovule solitary and pendulous; style 2-fid, the branches stigmatose within the base.

Fruit a samara, 2.5-3 cm diameter, nearly orbicular, on a slender stipe, 2.5-5 mm long; pedicel 5-7.5 mm long, jointed below the scars left by the fallen sepals and stamens, wing membranous, veined, notched between the styles. Seed one.

Flowering and Fruiting: February to March
Common Names: Indian Elm, Rajain, Jungle Cork Tree, South Indian Elm Tree; Chilbil, Kanju, Papri (Hindi)