Memecylon urceolatum

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.