Kadamb
Neolamarckia cadamba
Local / Vernacular name: କେମବ
Key Facts
Genus
Neolamarckia
Species
cadamba
Origin
Unknown
Conservation Status
Not evaluated
Campus Zone
XIM University Campus
About this Tree
XIM University campus biodiversity register (2026–27). Recorded individuals: 9; abundance rank: 16.
Leaf habit: Kadamba is generally an evergreen tropical species, meaning it retains its leaves throughout the year and does not undergo a distinct seasonal leaf fall, particularly in humid tropical climates where it naturally occurs. Its continuous foliage helps maintain ecological functions year-round.
Flowers / Fruits: The Kadamba tree produces small, intensely fragrant flowers arranged in dense, spherical clusters that are typically orange-yellow or reddish-orange. These globose flower heads bloom mainly during the monsoon season, attracting pollinators. The fruit is a syncarp made up of multiple small drupelets fused together, and when ripe, it is generally edible in some traditions, though not widely consumed commercially.
Native range: The Kadamba tree is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Kadamba is a large, fast-growing tropical tree native to moist areas of South and Southeast Asia where it helps maintain healthy forest ecosystems. Its dense canopy provides shade and habitat for birds, insects, and small animals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The tree is useful for soil stabilization and preventing erosion, especially along riverbanks and degraded lands, and its leaf litter enriches soil organic matter, aiding nutrient cycling and supporting understorey vegetation. For these reasons, it is often used in reforestation and land rehabilitation projects.
Various parts of the Kadamba tree are used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. The bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit contain bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which have been studied for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and analgesic effects. It has been traditionally used to treat fever, skin diseases, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, wounds, and urinary complaints, although scientific research is still ongoing to validate all these uses and identify active compounds.
Kadamba holds significant cultural and religious importance in South Asian traditions. It is celebrated in ancient literature and mythology—especially in Hindu stories associated with Lord Krishna—and was the emblem of the Kadamba Dynasty in Karnataka. The flowers and tree are used in rituals and festivals, and in some regions, Kadamba is considered sacred and planted near temples. Its fragrant flowers are also traditionally used in making perfumes and attars.
Related Trees
Other trees in the same family on campus
