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Cajuput Tree
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Cajuput Tree
ntroduced Photo: Dinesh Valke
Common name: Cajuput Tree, Fine leaf melaleuca, Punk tree, Swamp tea tree, white tea tree, White wood • Hindi: शीतांशु Shitanshu, विशाहा Vishaha • Kannada: ಕಾಜಪುಟೆ Kaajapute • Marathi: कायापुटी kayaputi • Tamil: கையாப்புடை kaiyapputai • Malayalam: Cajeputier • Sanskrit: कायापुटी kayaputi
Botanical name: Melaleuca leucadendra    Family: Myrtaceae (Bottlebrush family)
Synonyms: Cajuputi leucadendron, Melaleuca leucadendron

The name of Cajuput Tree is derived from the Malay word Kayuputi - meaning "white wood". The botanical species name also comes from from the Greek leukos (white) and dendron (tree). The tree has a long flexible trunk with irregular ascending branches, covered with a pale thick, lamellated bark it is soft and spongy and from time to time throws off its outer layer in flakes; leaves entire, linear, lanceolate, ash colour, alternate on short foot-stalks. White stalkless flowers occur on long spikes, reminiscent of bottle-brush. The leaves have a very aromatic odour and the oil is distilled from the fresh leaves and twigs, and is volatile and stimulating with an aroma like camphor, rosemary, or cardamom seeds.

Identification credit: Dinesh Valke
Photographed in Veermata Jeejabai Bhosale Udyan, Mumbai.

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