Economic Botany Collection

Catalogue no.:

63663

Botanical classification:

RUTACEAE Aegle marmelos

Common name:

Bael or Bel fruit tree

Geographical description:

India

Item description:

Necklace of wood

Length:

84cm

No. of beads:

Approx. 840

Bead size:

<0.1cm

Plant information:

The leaves of Bel are used in the worship of Siva and Parvati. It is referred to in Sanskrit poems and is a sacred plant for Hindus. Arising from the milk of Shri the goddess of abundance, it represents increase and fertility.

Donor date:

12/05/1884

Donor:

John Firminger Duthie (1845-1922) - John Firminger Duthie was a botanist who spent time collecting specimens in India and in 1876 began the Herbarium in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh state, northern central India. The Herbarium was integrated with the Forest School Herbarium founded by James Sykes Gamble in 1890 to form the Dehra Dun Herbarium in 1908.