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Overview
Memecylon umbellatum, commonly known as ironwood, anjani (Marathi) or alli (Telugu), is a small tree found in India, the Andaman islands and the coastal region of the Deccan. It is also found in Sri Lanka, where it is called blue mist, kora-kaha and kurrikaya. The leaves contain a yellow dye, a glucoside, which is used for dyeing the robes of Buddhist monks and for colouring reed mats. Medicinally, the leaves are said to have anti-diarrhoeal properties. Historically, this plant was burnt as fuel in the production of Wootz steel.