Khirni

                Khirni-Manilkara hexandra

                KHIRNI-Manilkara hexandra. Ceylon ironwood, Khir, Rayan, Raini

                                     Delhi's oldest tree. This species can live up to 500 years.

                KHIRNI-Manilkara hexandra. Ceylon ironwood, Khir, Rayan, Raini

                                                                        Khirni Fruit

                 KHIRNI-Manilkara hexandra. Ceylon ironwood, Khir, Rayan, Raini

                      KHIRNI-Manilkara hexandra. Ceylon ironwood, Khir, Rayan, Raini

                     KHIRNI-Manilkara hexandra. Ceylon ironwood, Khir, Rayan, Raini

Khirni (Ceylon Iron Wood) Manilkara hexandra. A small but evergreen tree with a grayish bark and hard durable wood. Produces a bright yellow edible summer fruit that is high on vitamins and minerals. The tree belongs to the chikoo family

. Spot it at  Mehrauli Archeological Park, Humayun's tomb complex.

An adaptable large tree semi evergreen  found in dry deciduous and evergreen jungles as well as coastal forest. In very dry rocky situation it remains shunted and shrubby, but even in regions with low rainfall can thrive in sandy nalas.

The fruit is useful famine food but is seldom available even in rural markets. The bark is used as a febrifugal  (a medicine used to reduce fever)  medicine in some parts of India. The seeds yield an edible oil. Khirni is often utilized as a  root stock for select varieties of Chikoo. In central India  walking stick made from Khirni are prized above all others.

A slow growing stiff tree with shiny leathery leaves forming a dense leathery canopy. Only moderate size in Delhi. Khirni's can grow very large and live to a great age. Not strictly native to Delhi but planted along avenues and in gardens. A possible candidate for Delhi's oldest living tree.

Seasons :

Leaves : More or less evergreen with a lean period in February-March. New leaves in May or June. Leaves firm and leathery smooth 5-13cm long, crowded towards the end of twigs. Base V shaped or rounded. Apex often distinctly notched otherwise broadly obtuse Shiny and deep green on  top dull and much paler beneath. The short leaf stalk is often channeled.

Flowers : erratic in Delhi, but more trees seems to flower in January. Flowers white or creamy 6mm wide solitary or in clusters of 3-6. the petals are arranged in two circles in multiple of 6 usually 16 sometimes 24. There are 6-8 stamens.

Fruit : seen at various times between April and June. A yellow edible berry about the size and shape of an olive or slightly smaller. Sometimes tinged with red.

Bark : Dark grey to black rough, furrowed, sap milky.

Where to see : Rastrapati Bhawan has a Khirni avenue. Maulana Azad Marg and Jaising road. Roshnara Bagh has large specimen

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