520 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



beneath; peduncles solitary or in pair. Calyx-tube obconic. 

 Drupe globose or ovoid, drooping. 



The Bokhara Plum, in a dry state, is met with in the Indian 



bazaars. It is described as sub-acid, cold and moist, digestive 



and aperient, especially when taken on an empty stomach, 



useful in bilious states of the system and heat of body. The 



root is astringent, and the gum may be used as a substitute for 



Gum Arabic (Dymock). Largely imported into India and 



exhibited for sale in every bazaar, being largely used as an 



article of food. With a little sugar they are pleasant and 



refreshing. 



The oil, resembling apricot kernel oil, is prepared from the seeds, and is 

 used for illuminating and edible purposes. 



465. P. Padus, Linn, h.f.b.i., ii. 315. 



Syn : — Cerasus corunta, Wall. 



English : — The Bird Cherry. 



Vern : — Jamana (Hind.); Likh-aru, arupatai (Nepal); Hlo 

 sa hlot-kung (Lepcha) ; Paras, kala-kat, gidar-dak, zambu, chule 

 (Pb. ; Jaman, zamb-chule (Kashmir^. 



Habitat : — Temperate Himalaya, from Murree to Sikkim 

 and Bhotan. 



A deciduous tree attaining 50-60ft., with dark rough bark. 

 Wood moderately hard ; sap wood large, whitish ; heart- wood 

 reddish-brown, with an unpleasant smell, says Gamble. Wood 

 handsome, " polishes well," says Brandis. Young shoots, in- 

 florescence, and underside of leaves along nerves pubescent. 

 Leaves conduplicate in bud, from a slightly cordate base, ovate, 

 oblong, acuminate, serrate ; stipules thin, linear lanceolate, 

 early caducous. Flowers white, appearing after the leaves ; 

 Racemes 3-8in. long, at the end of short lateral (often leaf-bearing) 

 branchlets ; bracts thin, caducous longer than buds. Drupe 

 acid, globose, |in. diam. first red, then dark purple, or nearly 

 black. Stone rugose, thick. 



Use : — Yields a poisonous oil, like oil of almonds, much used 

 in medicinal preparations (Watt), 



