Memecylon umbellatum

Description

Memecylon umbellatum, commonly known as ironwood, anjani (Tamil), (Malayalam) or alli (Hindi), is a small tree found in India, the Andaman islands and the coastal region of the Deccan. It is also found in Sri Lanka, where it is called blue mist, kora-kaha (Sinhala language) and kurrikaya (Tamil language). The leaves contain a yellow dye, a glucoside, which is used for dyeing the robes of Buddhist monks and for colouring reed mats (Dumbara mats). Medicinally, the leaves are said to have anti-diarrhoeal properties.