Iluppai

Iluppai is a common name for the species Madhuca longifolia, which is a tree native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is a member of the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae) and is also known as the mahua tree or the Indian Butter Tree.

Madhuca longifolia is a large, evergreen tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall and have a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter. The tree has a dense, spreading canopy of dark green leaves that are large and elliptical in shape. The tree produces fragrant, yellow or white flowers that are followed by large, globular fruit that are green when unripe and yellow when ripe.

The fruit of the Iluppai tree contains a rich, buttery oil that is extracted and used for cooking, lighting, and as a cosmetic ingredient. The oil is also used as a substitute for ghee, a type of clarified butter commonly used in South Asian cuisine. In addition, the bark and leaves of the tree have a number of medicinal uses and are used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, wounds, and skin diseases.

The wood of the Iluppai tree is hard, heavy, and durable, and it is often used for construction, furniture-making, and firewood. The tree is also important as a source of food and forage for livestock and wildlife, and it provides habitat and shelter for a variety of species.

Overall, the Iluppai tree is a valuable species that has many uses and plays an important role in the livelihoods and cultures of the people who live in its range.