340 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



shomfol reteon, gogsa, sindool, mutui, mor, chakra, romusk, 

 thalot, chetain (Pb.) ; Wurak (Pushtu). 



Habitat :— Trans-Indus Himalaya 2,400-7,000 ft., from the 

 Indus eastward ; Manipur, Shan Hills, Upper Burma, 4,000 ft. 



A spinescent large shrub, or small tree; heart-wood brown, 

 hard, possessing wavy radial belts ; branches often spinescent, 

 young shoots pubescent. Leaves membranous, almost oppo- 

 site, glabrous, frequently fascicled or arrested branchlets, lan- 

 ceolate, or obovate-lanceolate, blade 1-4 in., petiole \-\ in. long. 

 Flowers greenish, on slender pedicels, in axillary clusters ; 4- 

 merous ; petals, minute, linear, spathulate. Fruit obovate, 

 orbicular, I in. long. Seed grooved, groove narrow, nearly 

 closed. Closely allied to the European R. Catharticus (LowsonL 



Part used : — The fruit. 



Use: — The fruit which is bitter, even when ripe, has 

 emetic and purgative properties, and is given (Trans-Indus) in 

 affections of the spleen, (Watt.) 



Closely allied to the European R. Catharticus for which 

 it may be used as a substitute in India. (B. D. B.) 



292. E. Wightii, T7. and A., h.f.b.l, i. 639. 



Vern : — Rakta-rohida, Rakt zorar (Bom.). 



Habitat : — Western Peninsula, and from the highest hills 

 of the Concan southwards to the Nilghiris. There is a fine tree in 

 Thana Judge's garden. Common in Upper Montane Zone, Ceylon. 



Brandis says : " It is found on the Western Ghats, from 

 Mahabaleshwar southwards ; Nilgiris, Palm Hills. 



A large shrub, young parts puberulous. Leaves 2-3|- in., 

 ovate-oval or ovate, rounded at base, acuminate, obtuse, apicu- 

 late, finely glandular-serrate, glabrous on both sides. Petiole 

 i in.; Stipules very early caducous. Flowers yellowish green, 

 on glabrous pedicels, shorter than the petiole, 1-5 in. axillary 

 clusters. Calyx glabrous ; segments 5, triangular. Petals 5, 

 very small, spathulate. Stamens 5 ; ovary 3 (or 4J-celled ; 

 Styles 3-(or 4), connate half way up. Berry j in. globose, sup- 

 ported on flat persistent Calyx-tube, tipped with persistent 

 styles, smooth, reddish purple. 



