Hardwickia binata is a moderate-sized to large tree with drooping branches. The bark of the tree is greyish-brown in colour, rough with deep cracks and it darkens with age. The compound leaves have only two leaflets which are joined at the base. The tiny, white/greenish-yellow coloured flowers are inconspicuous and are easily overlooked. The fruits are short, flat pods about 6 cm long with a single seed attached at the end. The timber obtained from the tree is the hardest and heaviest, is durable and termite resistant. The leaves are shed in April and the new leaves emerge in early May. The flowering season is during August–September, the fruits appear after the flowering season and continue to remain till May.
Distribution and Habitat
It is a characteristic tree of the dry deciduous forests and can grow on shallow,gravely soils. In India, it is found in the western Himalayas up to an elevation of 1500m and dry open forests of Central and South India. In southern India, it is particularly found in Kadapa, Nellore and Ceded districts and in the valleys of Cauvery and Bhavani rivers
Uses
The bark of the tree is used for making ropes.
The timber obtained from Hardwickia binata is used for making agricultural equipment like cart wheels, oil mills, pestles and ploughs.
The leaves, succulent stems and twigs serve as fodder for livestock
The Hardwickia binata bark is found to have a good sorption capacity for mercury and a modification of the bark is found to be useful for removal of most of the mercury from water under certain conditions
Oleo-resin extracted from the heart wood is used in manufacture of varnishes
Resin exuding from the heartwood is used for dressing the sores of Elephants
The resin derived from the tree is used as a diuretic
Cultural and religious significance
Ropes made of Hardwickia and Coconut were used to capture Elephants in ancient times, according to the encyclopedic work Manasollasa or Abhilashitarthachintamani.This encyclopedia has been ascribed to the Western Chalukya King, Someshvara III, who ruled in the twelfth century AD.
Sangam poets have mentioned and described Hardwickia as yaa. According to Sangam Literature the elephants are fond of the bark and sweet smelling oil of Hardwickia. Hardwickia is also mentioned in Sundara Kaandam of Valmiki Ramyana/Kamba Ramayana as one of the trees in Asokavanam where Sitadevi was kept in captivity under a Simpsupa Tree by the demon king Ravana.
Taxonomy
The mopane tree of Africa, also monotypic in its genus, is believed to be its nearest relative, and Breteler et al. proposed that genus Colophospermum be sunk under the genus Hardwickia. Smith et al. however argued for retention of the name Colophospermum, and Léonard considered the presented evidence unconvincing.
