Ehretia acuminata var. pyrifolia (D.Don) I.M.Johnst.

Johnston, I.M. (1951) Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 32: 23.

Ash, Silky; Churnwood; Koda; Kodo Wood; Silky Ash; Brown Cedar

Deciduous; leafless for a period in August or September. Stems of large trees generally fluted and convoluted. Blaze darkens rapidly on exposure. Oak grain visible in the inner blaze and wood.

Petiole grooved on the upper surface. Lateral veins depressed on the upper surface. Twig bark strong and fibrous when stripped. Twigs quite pithy. Leaf blades about 6-15 x 2-6 cm.

Style about 2-2.5 mm long with two short branches, each about 0.2 mm long, at the apex. Stigmas small, terminal on each branch.

Fruits globular or depressed globular, about 5-6 mm long.

Cotyledons broadly lanceolate, about 3-5 mm wide, sparsely hairy on the upper surface and petioles. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves ovate or elliptic, margins serrate, upper surface hairy. Seed germination time 37 days.

Occurs in NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 800 m. Usually grows in drier scrubs, seldom found in any abundance. Also occurs from India to New Guinea.

Fruit eaten by several species of birds. Cooper & Cooper (1994).

A food plant for the larval stages of the Hairy Lineblue and Common Aeroplane Butterflies. Common & Waterhouse (1981).

Ehretia pyrifolia D.Don, Prodromus Florae Nepalensis: 102 (1825), Type: Nepal.