Rohini (Mallotus philippensis) is a small to medium sized tree found in the wild from Afghanistan to Australia. It is a common tree in Corbett Tiger Reserve. The tree is also called Kumkum tree because of its fruit being covered in a red powdery substance that can be used as a dye.
Rohini is one of the most favorite food plants of elephants. An elephant will probably never walk past one without plucking a branch. The tender branches, once torn from the tree, are held in the mouth and the elephant uses its trunk like a hand to stripe off all the leaves that are dropped. It’s the tender benches of Rohini that the elephants love to eat.
This female elephant was recorded feeding on the tender branches of a Rohini tree in Dhela Tourism Zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Elephant feeding on tender branches of Rohini
