pubescent. Leaves 6-12in. long, imparipinnate, somewhat crowded, spreading. Rachis pubescent. Leaflets 16-25, shortly stalked, l-2in., oval or oblong-lanceolate, very oblique at base, slightly caudate ; obtuse or emarginate, irregularly crenate, smooth above, pubescent beneath, the lower ones smaller and more rotundate. Corymbs in terminal panicles, penduncled, many- flowered ; petiole about 1/10 in. Flowers white, about ½inch, in much-branched, flattened tops ; " in corymbose terminal cymes," says Trimen. Bracts minute. Sepals small, acute,
triangular, pubescent. Petals linear, oblong, erect, dotted with glands, glabrous, valvate. Stamens inserted on a fleshy disk. Filaments narrowed at top, ovary glabrous, without a gynophore, 2-celled, with 1 (rarely 2) ovules in each cell. Style long, stigma large. Berry ¾-⅜in., nearly globular, apiculate, rough with glands, deep purple or black, when ripe, 2-seeded. The characteristic change in colour of the unripe berry from green to red, then purple, then black, when perfectly ripe, is very noteworthy.
Parts used :— The bark, root and leaves.
Uses : — The bark and root are used as stimulants by the native physicians. Externally, they are used to cure eruptions and the bites of poisonous animals. The green leaves are described to be eaten raw for the cure of dysentery ; they are also bruised and applied externally to cure eruptions (Roxb), An infusion of the toasted leaves is used to stop vomiting (Ainslie). In the Punjab, the leaves are applied to bruises (Stewart). In Bombay, the leaves are given in decoction with bitters as a febrifuge (Dymock.) The plant is noticed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia as having tonic and stomachic properties. The root is slightly purgative (Watt).
232. Limonia acidissima, Linn, h.f.b.i, i. 507.
Syn. : — L. crennlata, Roxb. 364.
Vern. : — Beli(H.}; Belsion (Chutia Nagpur) ; Bhenta (Uriya); Keiri, Kara (Merwara); Ran limbu, naringi (Bomb,) Kawat, nai-bel (Mar.); Toralaga (Tel.); Nai-bel (Kan).
