Brandis describes this as a middle-sized deciduous tree. Whereas Kanjilal, writing about the same tree as found in
the Sal Forests of Dun, says it is a small evergreen tree. Bark smooth. Wood hard, close-grained, reddish or orange-red, brittle. Stem armed with compound spines " up to middle age," says Kanjilal. Young shoots slightly pubescent. Leaves 3-5 in. long, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, crenate, thin but tough, quite rounded. Petiole 1/10-1/5 in. long. Flowers deciduous, very small, in irregular glabrous racemes. Sepals hairy within, edges ciliate. Stigmas 4-6, capitate. Ovary flask-shaped, narrowed into a short cylindric or conical style. Fruit globose, ½-¾ in. diam., purple when ripe, crowned by the persistent stigmas on peduncles, ⅓-½ in. long, very acid, dark purple when ripe. Stones 10-14, flat.
Parts used : — The leaves, shoots, bark and fruit.
Use : — The fruit is recommended as useful in bilious conditions and, like most acid fruits, it no doubt relieves the nausea and checks the purging (Dymock). The fruit is most delicious.
The leaves and young shoots taste like rhubarb, and are supposed to possess astringent and stomachic properties, and are prescribed in diarrhœa and weakness (Watt.)
The leaves are said to have diaphoretic properties.
106. F. Ramontchi, L'Herit. h.f.b.i., i.193. var. Sapida, Roxb.739.
Sans. : —Swâdu-kantaka.
Vern. : — Bilangra; bhanber ; Kanju, handi; kattar; katti; bowchi (H.); Bincha; Katai; Tambat (B.); Katail (Palamow); Serali; Mehlo Sarlarka (Kol.); Merlec (Santal.); Bonicha; Baili; Baincho (Uriya); Arma-Suri; Katien (Gond.) Kank; Kanki; Bilati (C.P.) Swadu-kantaka; Tambat; Kaikun; Pahr Bhekal Kakad (Bombay); Kanregu (Tel.). Gupra (Coorg).
Habitat : — In Southern India and Ceylon. Throughout the forests of the Sewalik Division, Mussoorie, and Malkot Hills, and the valleys of Jaunsar, from the Punjab Eastward,
