✿Erythroxylaceae · Erythroxylum

Sembulichan / Bastard Sandalwood

Erythroxylum monogynum

Also known as Tree Of India, Red Cedar

Treeoutdoor

Habit: Tree
Found in India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Flowering: Throughout the year

Identify this plant with SASYA

How to identify Sembulichan

Identify Sembulichan by combining habit, leaf characters, flower or fruit details, location, and its family pattern. Do not rely on one feature alone.

Look for a tree habit.
Check the distinctive field mark: Reddish wood (bastard sandalwood).
Confirm leaf arrangement: Alternate.
Confirm leaf type: Simple.
Confirm flower colour: White.
Confirm fruit type: Drupe.
In season, compare flowering and fruiting time: Throughout the year.

Plant Details

Scientific name: Erythroxylum monogynum
Genus: Erythroxylum
Family: Erythroxylaceae
Habit: Tree
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests
Habitat type: Forest
Native to: India, Sri Lanka
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka
Found in India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Flowering & fruiting: Throughout the year
Conservation status: Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Leaf arrangement: AlternaterecordedOne leaf per node, arranged in a spiral or zigzag up the stem.“The leaves are simple and alternate.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf type: SimplerecordedA single, undivided leaf blade.“The leaves are simple and alternate.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Characters marked “recorded” are for Sembulichan itself; the rest are typical of the Erythroxylaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Flower colour: Whiterecorded“Small white flowers are bisexual with 5–6 sepals, borne March through June;” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fruit type: DruperecordedA fleshy fruit with a single hard stone/pit enclosing the seed.“Fruit is a one-seeded drupe.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Characters marked “recorded” are for Sembulichan itself; the rest are typical of the Erythroxylaceae family — flowering plants only.

Local Names

Tamil: Sembulichan, Tevadaram, Dasadaram, தேவதாரு/செம்புளிச்சான்
Telugu: Gatiri, Paribhadrakamu, అడవిగోరింట
Malayalam: Devataru, Chemmana, വെള്ളദേവതാരം

About Sembulichan

Bastard Sandalwood (Erythroxylum monogynum) belongs to the Erythroxylaceae family, where it grows as a tree. In India it has been recorded in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It grows in dry deciduous forests. It flowers and fruits through much of the year.