Sal Tree
Sal
Scientific name: Shorea robusta
Bangla/local name: ‘Gazari’
Taxonomic Position According to Cronquist (1988)
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Malvales |
| Family | Dipterocarpaceae |
| Genus | Shorea |
| Species | S. robusta |
Botanical Description
Habit: Sal is a large sub deciduous tree. It is up to 30 meter high.
Root: Taproot system
Stem: They have tough texture. Young trees have a linear crown, which becomes rounder and flatter with aging. The sapwood is whitish in colour, thick and is less durable. The heartwood becomes dark brown to black in colour on exposure. The wood pores are filled with resin
Leaf: Simple, seldom completely leafless. It has large leathery leaves and yellowish flowers.
Economic Importance
Used as timber
Medicinal uses : The resin is used in the indigenous system of medicine as an astringent and detergent and is given in diarrhea and dysentery. It is also used as an ingredient of ointments for skin diseases and in the ear troubles. It is also used in the foot care cream. The powered seeds have insecticides properties. The powered seeds are even used to treat dental problems. It cleanses the skin of oily secretion and is used as the cleanser for washing hair.