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by Surendra R Joshi and Hermann Pechhacker, Institut fur Bienenkunde, Austria
Background: Indian butter tree
Apicultural value
Species
Pollen grains:
medium-sized The Indian butter tree Aesandra butyracea (Roxb) Baehni (36.6 + 9p in diameter) provides abundant (Syn: Bassia butyracea (Roxb) or round, mostly Madhuca butyracea Roxb Macbride) nectar for honeybees some tetracolporate; ind is a major source of Family _are tricolporate with voney in Nepal. Sugar granular exine Sapotaceae concentration in this sculpture. nectar is recorded at up Other names Flowering: a long to 42%. As a rich Indian butter tree is locally known flowering period source of nectar, as “Chiuri” in Nepal. In Hindi it is beginning in September coupled with a long called “Madhuca”, and in Sanskrit and lasting to February. blooming period, Indian “Madhupushpa”, which translates butter tree has a major into English as “honey tree” or Uses flower”. role in honey “honey Indian butter tree is production. In the low the few plants from which a among hill areas of Nepal, beekeepers can sweetening material can be harvested harvest honey two or three times without the aid of honeybees. People in during the blooming period. Beekeeping the western part and Chepang tribes in is most common in areas where Indian central Nepal shake the flowers to butter trees are abundant. Highly collect nectar. This nectar after recommended for beekeepingprolonged steaming is made into sugar oriented, multi-purpose candy, locally called “gur”. This sugar plantations. candy is very rich in pollen. The total distribution number of pollen grains per gram of candy were counted at 83,500. It is It is distributed throughout the highly prized for its nutritive value and sub-tropical forests of the Himalayan is also used to cure several diseases region from the Kumaon Hills of India stomach disorder, and fever. to Bhutan. It is found widely distributed including The ripened seeds of Indian butter tree in the hills of Nepal ranging from 500 yield fat which is used as a substitute to 2000 m above sea level. for butter and oil. The oil content of the seed is about 55-60%. The oil is Description also used as a base for face cream, and Indian butter tree is a slow growing, as an ointment to ease rheumatism, medium sized tree attaining a height of paralysis, sprains and contusions. The oil 20-30 m. or butter contains palmitic acid which Bark: dark grey or brownish and slightly soothes itches, chapped lips, hands and fissured. feet, particularly during winter. The oil Flowers: The flowers are creamy white, is also used for illumination as it give a long stalked, usually crowded in fascicles smokeless flame. After extracting the on the leafy axis and have a soft, sweet oil from the seed, the remaining cake is aroma. The number of flowers per used as fertiliser. fascicle varies from 50 to 72. Each The collection of the flowers’ nectar for flower is 2.64 cm in diameter, and has making “gur” and seed collection for its 10-15 petals and 36-45 stamens. oil extraction provides temporary work
for some people. Dabur India Limited (Nepal) has recently appointed some local agents for seed collection. There is always a good demand for butter or oil and farmers earn a good amount from its sale. Indian butter tree is considered to be a good soil binder and could be of
immense value for promoting soil conservation. The tree also yields timber and fuelwood. The wood is hard, strong and durable and is used in making windows, doors and furniture. The leaves provide excellent quality fodder for cattle. Understanding these values, the lopping of trees for fodder gathering and cutting of trees for wood is prohibited in some districts. People have started conserving and planting this species near the villages. Indian butter tree provides habitat and food for a large number of animals and insects. Monkeys and small children shake the flowers and collect nectar for
drinking.
References AWASTHIL,P R (1994) Bahuguni Chiuri (Multipurpose Chiuri). Bataidi, Nepal. In Nepali.
CRANE,E (1997) Harvesting sweet material from plants without the aid of honey storing insects. Bee World 78 (3): 108-114. KAFLE,G
P (1979) Adharbhut Maurialan [Elementary beekeeping]. Rupayan Press, Kathmandu, Nepal. In Nepali.
PARTARU (1997) Bee flora of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya Region: inventory and management. ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.
SHARMA,L P (1995) Reconciling conservation and development in the hills of Nepal; problems and prospects of apiculture in Jajarkot District, mid western Nepal. Msc Dissertation, AIT, Bangkok, Thailand. PHOTOGRAPHS
SURENDRA RJOSHI
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