Kalpataru

[Anand Kumar Bhatt]

Dear all:

Somebody had asked in a letter about what the Kalpataru is.

there is an intersesting book:"Plant Myth and Traditions" by Shakti M. Gupta published by Munshilal Manoharlal, PO Box 5715, 54 Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi 110055.

In the book Kalpavriksha has been mentioned for 3 trees: coral tree,ficus bengalensis (bargad) and parijaat (nictanthes). I also read somewhere that Baobab tree is Kalpataaaru.

Take your pick.

Best wishes,

akbhatt

 

 

[Anand Kumar Bhatt]

I agree with you. I dont have any explanation. I had mentioned anotheer tree: baobab. It can contain gallons of water inside. Maybe thaaat is why.

But it is all a guesswork. Garg-ji, do you know anything about it?

all the best,

akbhatt

[J.M. Garg]

Here is Ulhas ji's reply against other mail:

"3) Kalpataru is an abstract name used for very very useful plants,
wherein all the parts of plant are useful.  In the Konkan region
Coconut palm is called Kalpataru because of its multiple use in that
region.  Baobab (Adonsonia digitata) is an ecological kalpataru since
the tree supports diverse ecosystems.  The same could be said for the
trees from Ficus group - Banyan, Pimpal, Umbar etc.  These trees are
called Keystone species due to their ecological importance.

I have found Sandal (Santalum album) tree very useful.  Its economic
properties are well known, however its ecological value is immense.
It is evergreen, hardy, fast growing and supports different form of
animal life.  I won't mind calling it Kalpataru."

--
With regards,
J.M.Garg
"We often ignore the beauty around us"
For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en
For my Birds, Butterflies, Trees, Landscape pictures etc., visit http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/J.M.Garg

[J.M. Garg]

Does Kalpataru also mean 'Multipurpose trees'? See the definition of 'Multipurpose trees' & a few of them like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Ipil Ipil or giant haole koa (Leucaena leucocephala), Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Mango (Mangifera indica), Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Madre de Cacao (Gliricidia sepium) from India: http://www.agroforestry.net/overstory/overstory16.html

[satish phadke]

Baobab tree is always in news.
Here is one latest news link explaining its uses.
http://www.medindia.net/news/Europe-Recognizes-Health-Benefits-of-Baobab-Fruit-40414-1.htm
Satish

[Pankaj Oudhia]

Ulhas ji is right. Here is my recent Hindi article on Kalpvriksha. Please visit

http://pratikriyaa.blogspot.com/2008/08/16.html


Pankaj Oudhia

On Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 6:36 AM, J.M. Garg <jmg...@gmail.com> wrote: