148 INDJAX MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



This is the Gamboge tree, and yields abundant of that 

 pigment. The gamboge of commerce, says Trimen, is obtained 

 fiom Siam, and is the produce of a variety (Var. pedicellata, 

 Hanb.) of this species, recently raised to the specific rank as G. 

 Hanburii H. F. (Fig. 33. Med Plants. Bentley and Trimen). 



Habitat :— Forests of Eastern Bengal, the Khasia Moun- 

 tains, the Western Peninsula, in Malabar, Canara and Ceylon. 



A small pyramidal tree, with spreading branches. Bark 

 smooth brown, young twigs quadrangular. Wood hard, yellowish 

 brown. Leaves 3-4|-in., broadly lanceolate or oval, acute at base, 

 subacute, shining, paler beneath ; lateral veins very oblique, 

 inconspicuous ; petioles Jin. Flowers greenish white, sessile, in 

 axils of fallen leaves ; Male 2 or 3 together, Female solitary ; 

 Sepals and petals 4 each, the latter longer ; Male flowers :— 

 Stamens monadelphous ; filaments combined into a sub-quad- 

 rangular central column, but free at their summits ; anthers 

 dehiscing transversely. Female flowers : — Stamens about 12 in a 

 ring round the ovary, connate at base ; Ovary globular, smooth ; 

 4-celled ; stigma peltate, irregularly lobed and tubercled. Fruit 

 small, fin., globose, surrounded at base by persistent sepals, 

 glabrous. Seeds 4, ovoid, kidney-shaped, slightly compressed, 

 testa finely muriculate, blackish-brown. 

 Parts used :— The gum and branches. 



Use :— The gamboge is officinal in the British and Indian 

 Pharmacopoeias. It is considered a valuable hydragogue ca- 

 thartic. It also possesses anthelmintic properties. It is used 

 in dropsical affections, amenorrhea, obstinate constipation, and 

 as a vermifuge. 



The stem rubbed with water is a household remedy 

 amongst natives, as a local application to rising pimples and 

 boils, and often cuts them short. 'Dr. Gray in Watt's 

 Dictionary.) 



130. G. xanthochymus, Hook. /., h.f.b.i., 

 i. 269. 



Syn. : — Xanthochymus pictorious Roxb., 445. 



Vern : — Dampel ; tamal, (H.) ; Tamal, (B) ; Tepor, Tezpur, 



