Dhava / Crane Tree
Anogeissus latifolia
Also known as Axle-Wood Tree, Button Tree, Indian Gum Tree, Indian Sumac
- Habit
- Tree
- Found in India
- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & more
- Flowering
- March-December
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Anogeissus latifolia
- Genus
- Anogeissus
- Family
- Combretaceae
- Habit
- Tree
- Habitat
- Moist and dry deciduous forests
- Habitat type
- Forest
- Distribution
- India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
- Found in India
- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- Flowering & fruiting
- March-December
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Arrangement
- Variable
Typical of the Combretaceae family — a field-mark hint, not measured for this exact species.
Flower & fruit characters
Typical of the Combretaceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.
Local Names
- Hindi
- धावा dhava
- Nepali
- धावा
- Telugu
- సిరిమాను చెట్టు, సిరిమానుచెట్టు
- Kannada
- ದಿಂಡಿಗ
- Malayalam
- മഴുക്കാഞ്ഞിരം, Anogeissus latifolia
- Marathi
- धावडा
Dhava in India
This deciduous tree, known as धावा (Hindi), సిరిమాను చెట్టు (Telugu), ದಿಂಡಿಗ (Kannada), മഴുക്കാഞ്ഞിരം (Malayalam), धावडा (Marathi), is valued for both its wood and its natural gum. Anogeissus latifolia is found across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madras, typically in dry deciduous forest.
Uses
Its gum (Indian gum, ghatti gum) is used industrially as a thickener and adhesive, and its tough, durable wood has historically been used for tool handles and cart axles, giving it the English name 'axlewood'.
How to Identify Dhava
A deciduous tree with pale, flaking bark and opposite, oval leaves. Small greenish-yellow flowers cluster into dense round heads, followed by small winged fruit. Cuts in the bark exude a pale gum that hardens into translucent lumps.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Crane Tree called in different Indian languages?
- धावा (Hindi); సిరిమాను చెట్టు (Telugu); ದಿಂಡಿಗ (Kannada); മഴുക്കാഞ്ഞിരം (Malayalam); धावडा (Marathi).
- Why is it called 'axlewood'?
- Its tough, durable timber was traditionally used for cart axles and tool handles, which is the origin of its common English name.
- What is the gum used for?
- Its natural gum is processed industrially as a thickener and adhesive, used in textiles, printing and some food applications.
Combretaceae
Indian almond family
Dhava belongs to the Combretaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
Explore the Combretaceae family →Snap it. Know it.
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Common plant problems
All plant problem & care guides →More in Combretaceae
View all Combretaceae →Sources: GBIF — Anogeissus latifolia (India distribution & vernacular names) (CC BY 4.0) · Wikipedia — Anogeissus latifolia (background/comprehension only) (CC BY-SA 4.0)