ABROMA AUGUSTA. 



ABROMA AUGUSTA, Linn. 



Perennial Indian Hemp- Ulat kambal (Hind.). 



Natural order Sterculiacece. A shrub with cordate serrulate leaves, and large purplish flowers ; 

 found wild or cultivated, along the base of the Himalaya from the North- West Provinces to 

 Sikkim. 



In these Provinces, Dehra Dun is the only locality where the cultivation of this 

 plant has been specially mentioned. The bark yields a strong white fibre which, in 

 the opinion of Dr. Watt, might be used with advantage as a substitute for silk. 

 Eoxburgh says — 



" As the plant grows so quickly as to yield two, three, or even four crops of cuttings annually, 

 " fit for peeling, it may be advantageously cultivated for its fibres, which though not so strong as 

 " hemp make good common cordage/' 



\ 



• References i-rVL Br. Ind., I., 375 ; Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Clarke's Ed.), CIO ; Roylc, 111. Him. Bot., 102 ; Fibrous PI. 

 of India, 2G7 ; Watt, Diet. Econom. Prod., I., 7 ; Gamble. Man. Timbers, 45 ; Atkinson, Ilim. Dist., I., 792. 



