Cordia macleodii

[Devendra Bhardwaj]

Family: Ehretiaceae 

Name: Dahiphalas, Dahiman, सफ़ेद छीला (Local)

Species: Cordia macleodii

Date: 14.05.2009

Place: Tempal near to Jamwa Ramgarh–Raisar Road, close to the  Jamwa Ramgarh Dam (Jaipur, Rajasthan),

Note: "A Journey of Discovery: From ""Safed Chhila"" to Cordia macleodii 

In May 2009, during a field visit near a temple along the Jamwa Ramgarh–Raisar Road, close to the historic Jamwa Ramgarh Dam (Jaipur, Rajasthan), I came across an unusual tree that local people knew as ""Safed Chhila"" or ""Safed Dhak."" Many villagers also believed the tree was associated with traditional tantra-mantra practices.

Curious about its true identity, I photographed the tree and submitted it to eFlora of India on 16 May 2009 (Observation ID: DB119). On 19 May 2009, renowned botanist Mr. Satish Phadke identified it as Cordia macleodii (Griff.) Hook.f. & Thomson, a rare deciduous tree of India's dry deciduous forests.

This observation has now become part of the documented history of the species in Rajasthan and represents one of the earliest publicly available digital records of Cordia macleodii from the Jaipur region. It also highlights how field observations, local traditional knowledge, and collaborative digital platforms can contribute to biodiversity documentation and conservation.

I have recently prepared a research manuscript documenting this historical observation and its conservation significance, with the hope that it will encourage further surveys and protection of this uncommon native tree.

Nature often rewards curiosity—every unidentified plant has the potential to become an important scientific record.

#CordiaMacleodii #Biodiversity #Rajasthan #JamwaRamgarh #Botany #PlantDiversity #CitizenScience #eFloraOfIndia #Conservation #NativeTrees #FloraOfRajasthan"