340 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
shomfol reteon, gogsa, sindool, mfitfii, mor, chakra, romtisk, 
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 £-i in. long. 
Flowers greenish, on slender pedicels, in axillary clusters ; 4- 
merous ; petals, minute, linear, spathulate. Fruit obovate, 
orbicular, J in. long. Seed grooved, groove narrow, nearly 
closed. Closely allied to the European R. Catharticus (Lowson). 
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 . B. Wightii, W. and A., h.f.b.i., 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 
\ 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 4)-celled ; 
Styles 3-(or 4), connate half way up. Berry £ in. globose, sup- 
ported on flat persistent Calyx-tube, tipped with persistent 
styles, smooth, reddish purple. 
