Vateria copallifera
| Vateria copallifera | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Dipterocarpaceae |
| Genus: | Vateria |
| Species: | V. copallifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Vateria copallifera | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Vateria copallifera is a species of flowering plant in the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is a tree native to Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu in southern India.[2] In Sri Lanka it grows in the lowland evergreen rain forests of southwestern Sri Lanka on river banks and along rivulets.[1]
Fruits have a bitter taste. Traditionally people in the surrounding villages of the tree growing areas collect fruits for preparation of various food items including one of famous food called 'Hal Guti'. A preparation made from this tree is used in preserving traditional manuscripts written on palm leaves.[3]
The species was first described as Elaeocarpus copallifer by Anders Jahan Retzius in 1786. In 1931 Arthur Hugh Garfit Alston placed the species in genus Vateria as V. copallifera.[2]
Culture
Known as හල් (hal) in Sinhala.
References
- 1 2 Sri Lankan Red List Group (2024). "Vateria copallifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024 e.T30839A220445914. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-1.RLTS.T30839A220445914.en. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Vateria copallifera (Retz.) Alston". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
- ↑ https://www.ifla.org/traditional-paper-and-manuscript-preservation/