Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum)

Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum) is a species of plant in the Calophyllaceae family. It is a low-branching, slow-growing, spreading tree with a wide, irregular crown. It grows up to 30 meters tall, has a cylindrical trunk, and thick, black, and fissured bark.

The leaves are thick, oval, with rounded tips, even margins, and a smooth surface. The upper side is dark green and glossy, the underside is bright green, with a central vein in bright green. The leaves are up to 27 cm long, 13 cm wide, and have a 1 cm petiole.

Flowers bloom throughout the year, but typically from April to June and October to December. Flowers are 30 mm in diameter and occur in racemose or paniculate inflorescences of four to 15 flowers. The flowers have a sweet aroma and attract numerous pollinating insects.

The fruit is round, green, up to 4 cm in diameter, with a large seed in the center. When ripe, the fruit wrinkles and turns yellow to brownish. The fruit is light, with thin, spongy flesh and a flavor similar to apple.

This species thrives on sandy and rocky coasts. The bark is used medicinally. The hardwood is used for boat and ship mast construction. The fruit is used as a biofuel feedstock with a yield of up to 74%, and its use does not compete with food needs.

This tree regenerates easily and bears fruit year-round, has a high survival rate, and is easily cultivated in dry climates. Almost all parts of the plant can be utilized, producing a variety of products with economic value.

Forest stands serve as windbreaks for agriculture and coastal conservation. This tree can reduce the rate of deforestation for firewood due to its higher seed productivity compared to other species. It is suitable for peatland restoration to increase the productivity of degraded land and as a preventative measure against forest and land fires.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Calophyllaceae
Genus: Calophyllum
Species: Calophyllum inophyllum

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