සිංහල

Kekuna - කැකුණ - Endemic Tree of Sri Lanka

Scientific Name: Canarium zeylanicum
Family: Burseraceae
Origin: Endemic to Sri Lanka

Appearance and Characteristics
  • Kekuna is a large and tall tree, growing up to 15–30 meters in height.
  • It has a straight trunk with smooth grayish-brown bark.
  • The leaves are compound (made up of multiple leaflets).
  • The tree bears small fruits containing a hard nut rich in oil.
Fruits and Uses
  • The nut of the Kekuna fruit produces Kekuna oil, which was widely used in the past.
  • The oil has been used for cooking, lighting lamps, and in traditional medicine.
  • It gives off a unique aroma and was sometimes used for body applications and polishing wood.
  • The nuts were also used to make oil lamps and natural wax products.
Wood Uses
  • Kekuna wood is strong and durable.
  • It is used in construction, furniture making, and boat building.
Environmental Importance
  • The Kekuna tree is an important species in rainforest ecosystems.
  • It contributes to biodiversity and helps maintain forest balance.
  • It can be found in Sinharaja Rainforest, Kanneliya, and other wet zone forests in Sri Lanka