Wild Clove
Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston
Location
Main Gate & Parking
Family
Myrtaceae
Common names
Wild Clove, Kattupunna (Malayalam), Kaadu Nerale
Native range
Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
Habitat
Found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, mainly in the Western Ghats, including Karawali (coastal Karnataka). Grows in moist, shady, undisturbed forest patches, often near streams or low-elevation valleys.
Flowering
March - May
Fruiting
June - August
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
About this plant
A small to medium evergreen tree, 5–15 m tall. Leaves are glossy, leathery, aromatic when crushed. Flowers are small, fragrant, in clusters, white. Fruits: Dark purple to black when ripe, small and juicy berries. Bark smooth and greyish.
Uses
Not prominently featured in rituals, but valued for its ecological and medicinal importance. Fruits are eaten raw or made into local jams, pickles, and juices. Known for their astringent, slightly sweet-sour taste. Traditional use in Ayurveda and folk medicine for: Digestive issues, diabetes management, and anti-inflammatory effects. Leaves and bark also have medicinal properties.
Growing conditions
Prefers partial shade to full sunlight. Water: Needs consistent moisture; not drought-tolerant
Habit
Small to medium-sized evergreen tree