General Information :

• Barringtonia is an evergreen tree of moderate size, called by Sanskrit writers Hijja or Hijjala.
• Barringtonia is a tree 5-8 m tall with rough fissured dark grey bark.
• Leaves simple, alternate and obovate.
• Red flowers are produced on pendulous racemes about 20cm long.
• Four sided fruits are produced periodically throughout the year.
• fruits 4-angled corky capsules with spongy interior, 3-4cm long, float on and dispersed by water.

Distribution :

• Found in Madagascar and tropical Asia, amongst other places.

Habitat : This species grows on the banks of freshwater rivers, the edges of freshwater swamps and lagoons and on seasonally flooded lowland plains.

Soil : Commonly on heavy soils. Prefers a permanently moist but well-drained soil and a position in full sun. Particularly suited to humid, shady situations. swampy sites or rocky or sandy shores at elevations from sea level to 400 metres

Altitude :0 - 1100 m

Rainfall :500 - 1500 mm

Temperature : 12 - 18 °C

Terrain : Plains/gentle slopes

Tree Characteristics :

• Commonly grow in heavy soils.

Habit : Evergreen tree, Partly deciduous in extended dry periods.

Natural Regeneration :

• Propagation is by seed.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Artificial reproduction is common by Nursery raised seedlings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• Flowering and fruiting: March-May.
• Pods are then dried in the sun and broken to extract the seeds and  stored in gunny bags.

Seed Treatment :

• Soak the Seeds in boiled water and allow to cool for 24 hours before sowing in mother bed.

Nursery Technique :

• The seeds are broad casted  in the mother bed of standard size in shade.
• Germination takes place slowly in a span of 20-25 days.
• Watering and protection of seedling from hot sun is necessary.
• The two leaf stage seedlings can be transplanted to poly bags.

Plantation technique :

Dig pits of 30 cm3. The spacing usually resorted is 10 m x 10m for healthy growth of plants. Planting is done in July after the commencement of rain.

Care & Disease Control :

• In early stages weeding is necessary. In second year, soil working is important.

Major uses :

• In traditional medicine, when children suffer from a cold in the chest.
• More recently it has become the focus of research for pain-killing compounds.
• It is used for boatbuilding, well construction, rice pounders, cabinet work, and carts.