Na or Ironwood Tree
The National Tree of Sri Lanka
Botanical name -Mesua nagassarium
The na or Ceylon Ironwood is a common sub-canopy species found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka's low country in places such as Sinharaja. Characteristically, the trunk is usually hidden by dense leaves and branches that hang downwards. The leaves when young are a striking pink or red color, and when mature dark green on top, but whitish grey underneath. The large, white aromatic flowers with a yellow Centre- highly valued in the Ayurvedic system of medicine as an astringent - are in bloom from February to June.
This is a medium sized ornamental tree that grows to a height of 30 meters. It supplies a reddish brown wood, which, as its English name implies, is very durable. Indeed it was used in bridge construction. However, more traditionally it has been used in the construction of temples and for temple carvings. It is believed that the first visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka was to a grove of Na trees at Mahiyanganaya.
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