N. 0, BIXINE^, 119 



Brandis describes this as a middle-sized deciduous tree. 

 Whereas Kanjilal, writing about the same tree as found in 

 the Sal Forests of Dun, says it is a small evergreen tree. Bark 

 smooth. Wood hard, close-grained, reddish or orange-red, 

 brittle. Stem armed with compound spines " up to middle age," 

 says Kanjilal. Young shoots slightly pubescent. Leaves 3-5 in. 

 long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, crenate, thin but 

 tough, quite rounded. Petiole ^ a -^ in. long. Flowers de- 

 ciduous, very small, in irregular glabrous racemes. Sepals hairy 

 within, edges ciliate. Stigmas 4-6, capitate. Ovary flask-shaped, 

 narrowed into a short cylindric or conical style. Fruit globose, 

 |-J in. diam., purple when ripe, crowned by the persistent 

 stigmas on peduncles, |-J in. long, very acid, dark purple when 

 ripe. Stones 10-14, flat. 



Parts used : — The leaves, shoots, bark and fruit. 



Use : — The fruit is recommended as useful in bilious 

 conditions and, like most acid fruits, it no doubt relieves the 

 nausea and checks the purging (Dymock). The fruit is most 

 delicious. 



The leaves and young shoots taste like rhubarb, and are 

 supposed to possess astringent and stomachic properties, and 

 are prescribed in diarrhoea and weakness (Watt.) 



The leaves are said to have diaphoretic properties. 



106. P. Ramontchi, L'Herit. h.f.b.i., i. 193. 

 var. Sapida, Roxb.739. 



Sans. : —Swadu-kantaka. 



Vern. : — Bilangra ; bhanber ; Kanju, handi ; kattar ; katti ; 

 bowchi (H.); Binclia ; Katai ; Tambat (B.) ; Katail (Palamow) ; 

 Serali; Mehlo Sarlarka (Kol.) ; Merlec (Santal.); Bonicha ; 

 Baili ; Baincho (Uriya) ; Arma-Suri ; Katien (Gond.) Kank ; 

 Kanki ; Bilati (CL P.) Swadu-kantaka; Tambat; Kaikun ; 

 Pahr Bhekal Kakad (Bombay) ; Kanregu (Tel.). Gupra (Coorg). 



Habitat : — In Southern India and Ceylon. Throughout 

 the forests of the Sewalik Division, Mussoorie, and Malkot Hills, 

 and the valleys of Jaunsar, from the Punjab Eastward, 



