Kingdom Plantae Family Euphorbiaceae Rank Species | Order Malpighiales Genus Mallotus | |
Similar Mallotus ficifolius, Mallotus claoxyloides, Mallotus discolor, Mallotus oppositifolius, Acalypheae | ||
The Resinous Kamala , (Mallotus resinosus) is a species of 12m tall shrub, evergreen plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. It is native to India, Sri Lanka to New Guinea and Australia. The plant is known as "கருவாளிச்சீ / karuvalichchi" by Tamil people.
Contents
Leaves
elliptic to obovate; base attenuate; margin serrate.
Flowers
Inflorescence - present, where male flowers are clustered and unbranched. Female flowers are also unbrnanched, but with 3 locules and few short spines.
Fruits
globose seeded capsule.
Chemistry
Scientists found a simple coumarin, called Scopoletin from the root extraction of resinous kamala. It was identified as the active principle responsible for DNA cleavage activity during the extraction process. The chemical was once thought that only found within plants of genus Scolopia