Vann

Taxobox
name = Vann

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image_width = 220px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Brassicales
familia = Salvadoraceae
genus = "Salvadora"
species = "S. oleoides"
binomial = "Salvadora oleoides"

The Vann (Punjabi:ون or ਵਣ) or, jar in Sindhi language, Jāl or Peelu in Hindi language ("Salvadora oleoides") is a small bushy evergreen tree found in India and Pakistan.

Fruit

Small greenish white flowers are produced in March-April. The fruit is yellow and ripens in the months of May and June. It forms one of the main grazing sources for livestock owned by local farmers. It is often dried and preserved in large quantities. The seeds are spread by birds. The seedlings come up under the parent plant or under other bushes and are somewhat frost-tender.

Tree characteristics

It is a small tree with drooping branches, rarely with proper bole or exceeding a height of 20 feet and a girth of 3 feet. It is very common plant in arid tracts but becomes scarce where rainfall conditions are better. It can withstand great soil salinity. It produces new leaves during April, which on maturity become thick and leathery.

The tree coppices fairly well but regenerates freely by root suckers and natural layering. It is, however, very slow growing but a dense growth is often formed around the parent plant by root suckers and some natural seedlings. The plant provides a dense shade. It is often lopped for camel and goat fodder.

Wood

The vann is mostly non-woody, but has some, which is soft and light, and not particularly suitable for either building or for fuel, though it has been used for both purposes when nothing else is available. When burnt, it leaves a large quantity of ash, which can be boiled down into a substance for treating mange in camels.

Habitat

The vann is commonly found in and around Sandal Bar, and is reserved for use as grazing sources for local peasant villages. In addition, a number of trees have been preserved to provide shade for cattle.

ee also

Salvadora (plant genus)

Salvadora persica -- Toothbrush Tree, Peelu, or Siwak

References

* RN Kaul (1963): Need for afforestation in the arid zones of India, LA-YAARAN, Vol 13
* RC Ghosh (1977): Hand book on afforestation techniques, Dehradun.
* RK Gupta & Ishwar Prakasah (1975): Environmental analysis of the Thar Desert, Dehradun.