Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Bischofia javanica

Syn. Bischofia trifoliata

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Bishop Wood (English)
  • Paniala (Hindi)
  • Goparini (Kannada)

Tree type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Phyllanthaceae
40m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Bischofia javanica bark

Bark

Dark brown to grey, slightly scaly, peeling in angular scales; cut stems exude reddish sap.

Bischofia javanica leaves

Leaves

Leaves are trifoliate, rarely palmate, with stalk 8–20 cm in length.

Bischofia javanica flower

Flower

Small, greenish-yellow, unisexual, borne in axillary clusters; male clusters 8–13 cm long, hairy or smooth, while female clusters are pendulous and 15–17 cm long.

Bischofia javanica fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

Berry-like fruits are light brown, globular or subglobular, 6–13 mm in diameter, containing oblong seeds 5 mm in length.

Bischofia javanica

Did you know?

Across parts of the Central and South Pacific, the bark has traditionally been used to produce a red dye, while its tannin-rich extracts help strengthen fishing nets and ropes. Tree is invasive in Florida, Hawaii and parts of the Pacific.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

Tropical & Subtropical Asia to Pacific, Florida, Hawaii, Kenya