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Vateria indica Linn.<br />
White Dammar Tree<br />
Botanical Name : Vateria indica Linn.<br />
Family : Dipterocarpaceae<br />
Malayalam Name : Vellappayin, telli, Vella kundirikkam<br />
English Name : Indian Copal tree<br />
Hindi Name : saphed dammar<br />
Tamil Name : Painimaram<br />
Telugu name : Dupadamaru<br />
Large trees, reaching up to 40 m height. Trunk is<br />
smooth, grayish white bark. Branchlets are hoary<br />
stellate-pubescent. Leaves are simple, oblong or<br />
elliptic-oblong, glabrous. Flowers are bisexual,<br />
white, fragrant in long terminal or lateral<br />
corymbose panicles. Fruits are pale brown capsule.<br />
Cultural, Medicinal and Economic Value<br />
Vellappayin is the source of “vella kundirikkam”<br />
(white Dammar) which is an oleo-resin extracted by<br />
wounding the bark towards the beginning of dry<br />
season. Vella kundirikkam have high importance in<br />
BIO-CULTURAL VALUE OF THE SPECIES SPECIES STUDIED<br />
STUDIED<br />
customs of all the communities studied as well as<br />
others.<br />
Burning of white Dammar purifies the<br />
surroundings and this is an essential part of all type<br />
of the Hindu poojas especially for the blessings of<br />
God Siva. Muduga of Silent Valley use to fumigate<br />
White Dammar for the blessings of their God.<br />
Kattunaikka used this as “vella pantham” before the<br />
Goddess “Kali” and also in the rituals connected<br />
with Sabarimala pilgrims. On the time of traditional<br />
customs, they fumigate Vella pantham with honey.<br />
White Dammar is considered as the representative<br />
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