Anacardiaceae · Gluta

Chenkurinji / Redwood Tree

Gluta travancorica

Treeoutdoor
Habit
Tree
Found in India
Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Flowering
March-January

Plant Details

Scientific name
Gluta travancorica
Genus
Gluta
Habit
Tree
Habitat
Evergreen forests
Habitat type
Forest
Found in India
Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Flowering & fruiting
March-January
Conservation status
Endangered (EN)

Leaf characters

Leaf arrangement
AlternaterecordedOne leaf per node, arranged in a spiral or zigzag up the stem.The leaves are simple and alternate characteristically clustered at the tips of branchlets giving the appearance of a whorl. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Simple leaf type
Leaf type
SimplerecordedA single, undivided leaf blade.The leaves are simple and alternate characteristically clustered at the tips of branchlets giving the appearance of a whorl. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Simple leaf shape
Leaf shape
Simplerecorded
Entire leaf margin
Leaf margin
EntirerecordedA smooth, unbroken edge with no teeth or notches.The margin is entire and the leaves are thick and glabrous (non-hairy). — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf surface
PubescentrecordedCovered in short, soft hairs.The margin is entire and the leaves are thick and glabrous (non-hairy). — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Pinnate venation leaf character
Venation
Pinnate

Characters marked “recorded” are for Chenkurinji itself; the rest are typical of the Anacardiaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Flower colour
WhiterecordedThe cream-coloured flowers are bisexual, about 8 mm in diameter, and arranged in axillary and terminal panicles, with a spathaceous and deciduous calyx. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Flower arrangement
PaniclerecordedA branching cluster of clusters.The cream-coloured flowers are bisexual, about 8 mm in diameter, and arranged in axillary and terminal panicles, with a spathaceous and deciduous calyx. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fruit type
DruperecordedA fleshy fruit with a single hard stone/pit enclosing the seed.The fruit is a round drupe, about 2.5-3.5 cm, brown in colour and scurfy. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Inflorescence
Panicle
Fruit
Drupe

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

Local Names

Malayalam
Chenkurinji, Thodappa, ചെന്തുരുണി

About Chenkurinji

A member of the Anacardiaceae family, Redwood tree (Gluta travancorica) is a tree. In India it has been recorded in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It grows in evergreen forests. Flowering and fruiting run from March to January.

Illustration representing the Anacardiaceae family
Botanical family

Anacardiaceae

Cashew family

Chenkurinji belongs to the Anacardiaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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