Crop description. Calophyllum inophyllum—commonly known as nagchampa, ballnut, ati tree, kamani, ndamanu, fetau, Alexandrian laurel, nambagura, Indian laurel, and tamanu oil—belongs to the family Guttiferae and is native to the Indo-Pacific region, particularly Malaysia [112]. This evergreen tree is commonly found in the coastal regions of South India and Madagascar (see Fig. 4.10). It usually reaches up to 25 m high [113]. It tolerates varied kinds of soil, coastal sand, clay, and degraded soil. The average kernel oil content is about 60.1% [114]. The fatty acids present in crude oils are stearic (14.3%), palmitic (13.7%), oleic (39.1%), and linoleic (31.1%) acids [115].

Main uses. It is known best as an ornamental plant. Besides this, its wood is hard and strong and has been used in construction. The seeds yield oil for medicinal use and cosmetics. A number of medicinal and therapeutic properties of various parts of Calophyllum have been described, including the treatment of rheumatism, varicose veins, hem­orrhoids, and chronic ulcers [116]. Fatty acid methyl esters of C. ino­phyllum oil have been found suitable for use as biodiesel that meets biodiesel standards of the United States and European Standards Organization [78].

Figure 4.10 Calophyllum ino­phyllum. (Photo by Forest Starr and Kim Starr, courtesy of the U. S. Geological Society [www. hear. org/ starr/hiplants/images/hires/ html/starr_040711_0232_ calophyllum_inophyllum. htm].)