Etteriya

• Common Name In Sri Lanka:

  Etteriya

• Scientific Name:

  Murraya paniculata

• Other Names:

• Zone:

• Size of Tree:

  

  Small (< 5m)

• Status:

• Average Height:

  

  Up to 5 meters

• Identification

  Tree with a twisted trunk and whitish-grey bark that is finely grooved vertically. Slender twigs carry dark green compound leaves, about 9 cm long mostly with 3-7 leaflets that are alternately arranged. Leaflets are usually elliptic, with a tapered base and apex, about 1-3.5 cm long, and 1-2 cm wide. The upper surface is darker and glossier than beneath. The sweet-scented white flowers are seen in groups of 3-6, and open at night time. The fruit is ellipsoid with a small tip, red when ripe, fleshy, and contains 1-3 seeds.

• Habitat

  Understory in less disturbed areas

• Special Notes

  The wild form is native. Similar to the cultivated ornamental species, but differs mainly due to the number of leaflets in each leaf.