Vateria copallifera (Retz.) Alston

 
  • Family : DIPTEROCARPACEAE
    (Dipterocarpus Family)
  • Family (Hindi name) : SAKHU FAMILY
  • Family (as per The APG System IV) : Dipterocarpaceae
  • Synonym(s) : Elaeocarpus copallifer Retz.; Vateria acuminata Hayne
  • Species Name (as per The IPNI) : Vateria copallifera (Retz.) Alston
  • Common name : Ceylon dammer
  • Vernacular name :
    • Dhup maram (Tamil)
  • Habit : Tree
  • Habitat : Tropical evergreen forests
  • Key identification features : Medium to large deciduous tree; Trunk slender, greyish, broad crown of spreading branches; Young twigs velvety, covered with numerous small hairs, giving them a soft texture; Leaf buds enclosed in bronze-coloured stipule; Leaves simple, alternate, large, 11-50cm in length, 5-18cm in width, thick, broadly obong, base lobed, abruptly tapering apex, young leaves pinkish-brown, later turns yellowish-green upon maturity, petioles curved, facilitating leaf movement, orientation; Inflorescence axillary or terminal; Flowers cream-coloured, borne in clusters on velvety brown stalks; Fruits very large, ovoid, dull brown, about 25cm long, 8-10cm broad, calyx persistent.
  • Flower, Fruit : June
  • Distribution :
    • Tamil Nadu : Tirunelveli district
  • Native : India, Sri Lanka
  • Exotic/Native : Native
  • World Distribution : India, Sri Lanka
  • Literature :
    • Narasimhan, D. & Irwin, Sheeba. (2021). Flowering Plants of Tamil Nadu: A Compendium.
  • Read more :
  • Permalink : https://indiatrees-ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Vateria copallifera
  • Citation : Sankara Rao, K., Deepak Kumar (2026). India Trees and Vegetation Types. Vateria copallifera. Downloaded on 4 October 2026.

Habitat

Distribution District wise

India Distribution

World Distribution

GBIF Distribution

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