Pronunciation: [vatˈi͡əɹɪə] (IPA) 
The word "Vateria" is spelled with the letter "V", but it is pronounced with the sound of "B" in IPA phonetic transcription. This is because "V" and "B" sounds are pronounced similarly in some languages, including the language where the word originated, Tamil. In IPA, it is spelled /vəˈtɪərɪə/. Vateria is a genus of trees in the family Dipterocarpaceae, found primarily in tropical regions of Asia and Africa.
Vateria is a noun that refers to a genus of flowering plants in the family Dipterocarpaceae, commonly known as the Vateria family. It consists of about 20 species of tropical trees, primarily found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The genus is characterized by large, sturdy trees that can reach impressive heights, with some species growing up to 50 meters tall.
The trees in the Vateria genus typically have a straight, cylindrical trunk and a dense crown of foliage. They possess alternate, elliptical-shaped leaves that are arranged in a spiral pattern along the branches. The leaves are often leathery in texture and have a glossy green color. Vateria plants are monoecious, meaning they produce separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The flowers are typically small and inconspicuous, with the male flowers forming clusters and the female flowers occurring singly or in small groups.
Vateria trees are particularly renowned for their resin, known as "Vateria indica resin" or "white dammar." This resin exudes from the tree's bark and has been traditionally used in various industries, including as a varnish, incense, and in the preparation of certain traditional medicines. In addition to their resin, some species of Vateria also produce seeds that are used in the extraction of an edible vegetable oil.
Additionally, Vateria ecosystems are of ecological importance, as they provide habitat and food for a wide range of organisms, including birds, insects, and mammals. The trees play a crucial role in the maintenance of biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystems they inhabit.
A genus of plants of the order Dopterocarpaceae.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Vateria" is derived from Latin. Its etymology can be traced back to the Latin word "vater", which means "a kind of Frankincense tree". It ultimately comes from the Greek word "batēr", meaning "the resin of a tree used for incense". The term was then adopted into botanical taxonomy to classify a genus of trees native to tropical regions, particularly in Africa and Asia.
