Poon mara – Sirpoon tree

A Majestic Evergreen Tree of Kodagu 

Kodava name: Poon Mara
English name: Poon Tree / Sirpoon Tree
Kannada name: Varapaali
Botanical name: Calophyllum polyanthum Wall. ex Choisy
Family: Clusiaceae
Category: Flora and Fauna – Trees of Kodagu

Introduction

Poon Mara, also known as the Sirpoon Tree, is an evergreen tree native to the forests of Kodagu and the Western Ghats. It is notable for its impressive size, edible fruits and valuable timber.

The tree is part of the natural wealth of the region. Its evergreen foliage contributes to the forest landscape, while its timber has historically been valued for specialised uses, including shipbuilding.

Botanical Characteristics

Poon Mara is a large evergreen tree that can grow to heights of approximately 7–45 metres under suitable conditions. Its trunk can reach a diameter of up to 160 centimetres.

The species grows best in warm, tropical conditions. The original KodavaClan record notes that it thrives where daytime temperatures generally range from 28°C to 33°C, while tolerating a wider range of temperatures.

As an evergreen species, Poon Mara retains its foliage throughout the year, contributing to the dense green character of the region’s forests.

Flowering and Fruiting

According to the KodavaClan Heritage record:

• Flowering begins: January
• Fruiting period ends: April

These seasonal details provide a useful reference for documenting the tree’s natural cycle in Kodagu.

Edible Fruits

The fruits of Poon Mara are edible. This makes the tree noteworthy not only for its size and timber but also as a fruit-bearing species within the region’s natural vegetation.

Documenting the fruit and its seasonal availability contributes to the preservation of knowledge about native trees and their uses.

Historical Importance of the Timber

Poon Mara has a notable place in the history of timber use. Its wood was used to furnish poon spars, which served as masts, spars and other components of ships.

Straight, sound trunks were particularly valued for these purposes. The tree’s historical association with shipbuilding reflects the importance of selected forest timbers in producing long, strong structural components.

This traditional timber use adds a historical dimension to the tree’s significance beyond its role in the natural environment.

Poon Mara in the Natural Heritage of Kodagu

Kodagu lies within the biodiverse Western Ghats, where evergreen trees form an important part of the forest ecosystem. Poon Mara is one of the large tree species associated with this landscape.

Its considerable height, substantial trunk, edible fruits and historical timber value make it an important species to document in a regional heritage archive.

Preserving Knowledge of Native Trees

Poon Mara represents an important part of Kodagu’s botanical heritage. Recording its Kodava name, botanical identity, flowering and fruiting periods, edible fruits and historical timber uses helps preserve information about the natural resources of the region.