Pterocarpus marsupium: A Potential Gum-Yielding Species with Medicinal Values

Abstract

Pterocarpus marsupium belongs to the one of the largest family, Fabaceae. The tree grows up to 1000 m high in arid tropical mixed deciduous woodlands in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and the sub-Himalayan regions in central and peninsular India. This species' autogenic reproductive deficit makes it threatened. It is one of the tree species yielding gum with medicinal values. It is commonly known as kino gum. Additionally, it yields high-protein green fodder that is great for animal feed and essential for cattle survival during the dry season. The tree is valuable for fodder, timber and medicinal value. Pterocarpus marsupium finds medicinal importance in various indigenous systems of medicine. Pterocarpus marsupium is one of the ingredients in several Ayurvedic formulations.