Sri Lankan ironwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ceylon ironwood |
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| Ceylon ironwood in Thelwatta, South-East Sri Lanka. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mesua
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| Species: |
ferrea
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The Ceylon ironwood tree, also known as the Sri Lankan ironwood, Indian rose chestnut, or cobra's saffron, is a special type of tree. It belongs to a plant group called the Calophyllaceae family. This tree grows slowly, and it gets its name "ironwood" because its wood is very heavy and hard, almost like iron!
People love to grow the Ceylon ironwood tree because it looks beautiful. It has a graceful shape, and its leaves are a grayish-green color. When new leaves grow, they are a lovely pink to red color and hang down. The tree also produces large, sweet-smelling white flowers. You can find this tree growing naturally in wet, tropical areas of Sri Lanka and South India.
Contents
What Makes Ironwood Special?
The Ceylon ironwood tree is very important in its native lands. It is even the national tree of Sri Lanka! This means it is a symbol of the country. People value it not just for its beauty but also for its strong wood and the useful parts of the tree.
The Tree's Appearance
The Ceylon ironwood is an evergreen tree, meaning it keeps its leaves all year round. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 30 meters (about 100 feet) high.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the ironwood tree are long and narrow, with a shiny, dark green top and a lighter underside. As mentioned, the young leaves are a beautiful pink or reddish color before they turn green. The flowers are large and white, with a bright yellow center. They have a lovely fragrance and are often used in religious ceremonies or to make perfumes.
Fruits and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the tree produces small, round fruits. These fruits contain seeds. The seeds are important for growing new ironwood trees.
Where Does It Grow?
The Ceylon ironwood tree loves warm, wet places. It grows best in tropical rainforests where there is plenty of rain. This is why it is found in countries like Sri Lanka and India, which have suitable climates.
Uses of the Ironwood Tree
The ironwood tree is used for many things. Its wood is incredibly strong and durable. This makes it perfect for building things that need to last a long time, like bridges, railway sleepers, and furniture.
The flowers, leaves, and bark of the tree are also used in traditional medicine. People believe they have healing properties. The fragrant flowers are also used to make essential oils and incense.
Images for kids
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Young leaves and flowers
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Young leaves and flowers
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Young fruit
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Ripe fruits
