CHENNAI: Several species of native trees can be planted to keep the atmosphere clean and healthy. Bakula or Vakula is one such and a boon for Earth because it carves out a pleasant, comfortable and supremely quiet space. It is a medium-sized, evergreen tree that can soothe any noisy and cluttered environment.
As per Indian Astrological Calendar, it is associated with Tula rashi in the garden of zodiac signs. It is named and worshipped as Vakula Devi, an incarnation of Lord Sri Krishna’s mother Yasodha, in this Kali Yuga. The presence of this tree in Pampa Lake is mentioned in Kishkindha Kanda of Ramayana.
Bakul’s scientific name is Mimusops elengi L M elengi is a laticiferous (giving out a milky latex when cut) evergreen tree. Flower single/ groups of 2-4, about 2.5 cm wide, appear from January through April. Petals are star-shaped, creamy-white and very fragrant hence the trees are planted in gardens, temples and along roadsides. Fruits are fleshy, edible and single-seeded berries that grow 3 cm long. They turn bright orange-red when mature and attract many birds particularly parrots.
Bark, flowers and fruits of Bakul are reportedly cooling and anthelmintic (to destroy parasitic worms). Bark is said to be useful against diarrhoea and dysentery and is also used as a mouth freshener. Lotion prepared out of its flowers is used to cure ulcers. Powder of dried flowers is given internally as brain tonic; the same is used as a snuff to get relief from headache. Seeds are used to prepare suppositories in case of constipation especially in children.
In Sanskrit and Hindi, it is called Bakul. It is Bakula/Ranjala in Kannada, Elanji in Malayalam, Wowli in Marathi, Makizham in Tamil and Bakulamu or Pogada in Telugu. Common name in English is bullet-wood tree. The generic epithet of the botanical name Mimusops is derived from Greek words mimo for ape and ops for its rusty and furry calyx lobes that resemble the face of monkeys. The specific epithet elengi is the vernacular name of Indian Malabar region.