- Trunk & Bark: The trunk is tall, straight, and prominently fluted or buttressed at the base in mature specimens. Bark is rough, dark brownish-grey with thick, vertical fissures.
- Foliage: Leaves are opposite, broadly oval to cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, measuring 15–30 cm across, with prominent interpetiolar stipules that protect the young buds.
- Inflorescence & Flowers: Blooms appear in dense, spherical, globular heads on long peduncles. The florets are tiny, yellowish to cream-colored, and fragrant.
- Fruit & Seeds: Small capsule clusters containing numerous minute, winged seeds adapted for wind dispersal.
Deciduous Canopy Tree / Large Forest Tree
Haldu Tree (Dharakadamba / हलदू (Haldu))
Haldina cordifolia
Also Known as: हलदू (Haldu), करम (Karam), Haridru (हरिद्रु), Dharakadamba
Haldina cordifolia (syn. Adina cordifolia), commonly known as Haldu, is a large deciduous canopy tree native to the tropical and subtropical forests of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Belonging to the Rubiaceae (coffee) family, it is renowned for its substantial straight trunk, heart-shaped foliage, spherical blossom clusters, and fine-grained golden-yellow timber. In addition to high commercial value in carpentry and handicrafts, Haldu holds significant importance in classical Ayurveda and traditional ethnobotany for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties.
Botanical Family
Rubiaceae
Native Region
Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam)
Growth Habit
Deciduous Canopy Tree / Large Forest Tree
Mature Height
20 – 35 meters (65 – 115 ft)
Sunlight
Full Sun (requires open canopy)
Water Needs
Moderate (drought-hardy once established)
Soil Dynamics
Well-draining sandy loam to alluvial loam; pH 6.0 – 7.5
Propagation
Seeds (wind-dispersed) and stem cuttings
