Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser 1984, commonly called Kadam, Kadamba or Common Bur-Flower, is a big tropical tree, native to South and South-East Asia.

The fast growing and evergreen Kadam tree can reach a height up to 45 meters and carries great, religious meaning for both, Hinduism and Buddhism. The name of the Kadam tree refers to the Kadamba Dynasty (345-525), nowadays the South West Indian state of Karnataka, where the tree was considered as a holy tree. The highly fragrant Kadam flowers, the sweet scent is reminescent of Champaca and Neroli, get a size of about 5,5 cm in diameter and are used for perfume production. In natural medicine leaves are used used for treating diabetes, an infusion from leaves and bark to cure throat infections. The edible fruits are considered as an aphrodisiac. Leaves, bark and seeds are deemed to have anti-inflammatory and liver protective properties, but are still subject of medical research. The genus Neolamarckia has been named by Jean Marie Bosser (born 1922 in France), a botanist and agronomical engineer from Mauritius, in honour to the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744 – 1829).

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Image: Kadam (Neolamarckia cadamba)