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 astrin g e nt, 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, W ll. 
English : — The Bird Cherry. 
Vern: — Jamana (Hind.); Likh-aru, arupatai (Nepal); Hlo 
sa hlot-kung (Lepcha) ; Paras, kala-kat, gidar-dak, zambu, chule 
(Pb.); J&man, zamb-chhle (Kashmir'. 
Habitat : — Temperate Himalaya, from Murree to Sikkim 
and Bhotan. 
A deciduous tree attaining 50-60ft., with dark rough bark. 
Wood moderately hard ; sapwood 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 conduplicato 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). 
