Flacourtia montana is a plant in the family of Salicaceae. It is native to southern Asia.[1][2] The species presents as a tree up to 20 m in height.[3]

Flacourtia montana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Flacourtia
Species:
F. montana
Binomial name
Flacourtia montana
J. Grah.
Synonyms

Flacourtia inermis Miq. ex Hook. fil. & Thomsa

Description

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The tree can attain height about 25 m and girth up to 1.7 m. Tree trunk will be covered with sharp stout thorns at its base. Young parts of the tree is hirsute and young leaves are reddish. Leaves are simple and shows alternate phyllotaxy. Petiole is pubescent with a length of 0.3-0.8 cm. Lamina size: 7-15 × 4-8 cm. Leaf shape is elliptic-oblong with acuminate leaf apex and crenate leaf margin. The leaf is 3-nerved at the base with 4-7 pairs of secondary nerves. Flowers are edible ,dioecious, seen in axillary cymes. Fruits are spherical, smooth, scarlet red, with a size of 1-1.5 cm across.[4]

Distribution

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This flora is endemic to semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests of Western Ghats, up to 1000 m (1800 m). Maharshtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.[5]

its also known as Gajale, Hennu sampige, Nayibelain in Kannada,Tabluka in Tulu and Charal-maram in Malayalam[6]

Uses

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  • Flacourtia montana can be used in Food. Ripe fruits are eaten raw [7]
  • An important herb in Ayurveda, where infusions of the bark, leaves and root are used medicinally to treat conditions such as fever, diarrhoea and inflammations.[8]
  • The leaf is carminative, astringent and used as a tonic, an expectorant and for asthma, pain relief, gynaecological complaints and as an anthelmintic, and treatment for hydrocele, pneumonia and intestinal worms. [9]
  • In India, an infusion of the bark is used as a gargle for hoarseness. In Madagascar, the bark, triturated in oil, is used as an anti-rheumatic liniment. The bark is used as a tanning material. [10]
  • Wood used for agricultural implements such as ploughs etc[11]
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References

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  1. ^ "Flacourtia montana". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Oldstyle id: 0111cc04e9e50f968800b3cd8987ef9b". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands.
  3. ^ "Welcome to Pilikula Nisarga Dhama". www.pilikula.com. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  4. ^ Page, Navendu (2017). Endemic Woody Plants of the Western Ghats. Bangalore: Trail Blazer Printers and Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5279-072-2.
  5. ^ "Welcome to Pilikula Nisarga Dhama". www.pilikula.com. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  6. ^ "Welcome to Pilikula Nisarga Dhama". www.pilikula.com. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  7. ^ "Flacourtia montana - Ayurwiki". ayurwiki.org. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  8. ^ "Pioneer University in Kerala". www.keralauniversity.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  9. ^ "Pioneer University in Kerala". www.keralauniversity.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  10. ^ "Pioneer University in Kerala". www.keralauniversity.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  11. ^ "Pioneer University in Kerala". www.keralauniversity.ac.in. Retrieved 2023-08-20.