Common Name: White siris. Tamil Name: Velvagai, Kondavaghe.
White siris is a large tree of South-East Asia can grow to around 20 meters, often found around Palakkad (Kerala state) near forest fringes. The branches are held close to the central stem, after reaching a height the branches tend to droop down. The young leaves are light-green in color with a rusty coat, this along with the glassy leaf lamella makes the tree look very attractive. Young branches are lenticulate, most parts of the plant are glabrous. The bipinnate leaves are arranged in an alternate manner. The petiole base has a conspicuous leaf gland. Pinnae 2-5 pairs. The number of leaflet pair around 7-8. The leaflets are nearly sessile and arranged in an opposite manner. The leaflets measure around 2.5 cm in length, the leaves are elliptical-oval in shape with an unequal base with a retuse apex. The inflorescence is in the form of a panicle, flower heads are cream in color and have a pink-pong ball appearance. The fruit is a reddish-brown colored pod, they contain around 6-12 brown colored seeds. The tree has good timber value. The wood is used to make charcoal and the leaves are used as fodder. White siris is the larval host plant for Common grass yellow butterfly
