Umbrella Cheese Tree (Glochidion zeylanicum)

Glochidion zeylanicum, commonly known as umbrella cheese tree or seed tree, is a small tropical tree or shrub in the Phyllanthaceae family. Native to South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, it is valued for its ecological role, particularly in supporting specialized pollinators such as leafflower moths. Traditionally, parts of the plant—including leaves and bark—have been used in folk medicine for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. With its ecological, medicinal, and cultural significance, Glochidion zeylanicum remains an important species in tropical forests and local herbal practices.