Common name: Konkan gordonia. Tamil name: Atanki
Konkan gordonia is seen in mid-altitude areas of both Western and Eastern ghats area, it grows to around 4 meters in height. But often reported to reach over 10 meters in height. The tree has a smooth grey bark. It is an evergreen tree with glossy green leathery simple leafs which are arranged in an alternate manner. The leaf margin is gently toothed along the edges. The leafs are obovate-lanceolate in shape and pointed at both ends. The leaf stalk measure around 1 cm; the leaf length and breath is around 11.8 cm and 2.8 cm respectively. The flowers are found single, they are large measuring around 6 cm across with 5 petals; petals are obovate and white in color (each petal is standalone). The flower stalk measure around 4.5 cm. The fruit is in the form of a capsule and seeds are winged. Konkan Gordonia can be mistaken for tea plant; in case of tea plant the leaf serrations extends deeper into the lamella of the leaf, in the case of Konkan Gordonia the serrations are restricted to the leaf boarder area. Konkan Gordonia may be mistaken for from Mesua ferrea. M ferrea flower have only four white petals . The young leafs of M ferrea are rusty in color. Gordonia genus belongs to Theaceae family. The genus consists of about 22 species mostly native to US, Mexico and other South American countries. They are generally shrubs or trees with glossy leafs which are arranged in an alternate manner and have solitary large flower. Konkan Gordonia can be positioned as a ornamental tree suitable for small gardens and households.
