Trimen says it is nearly allied to R. frangula, the Alder buck-thorn of England.
Use : —In the Western Peninsula the bark is in much repute on account of its tonic, astringent and deobstruent properties (DYMOCK.)
293. R. purpureus, Edgew, h.f.b.i., i. 639.
Vern. ' — Bal sinjal, káru, memarira, Kinji (Pb.).
Habitat : — West Himalaya, from Murree to Kumaon, Indus to Sard river 4500 p. 10,000.
An unarmed, middle-sized tree, young shoots pubescent, the previous year's branchlets purple. Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate. Secondary nerves 6-10 pair, prominent, blade 3-4 in. Petiole ¼in. Flowers mostly bi-sexual, 5-merous, in axillary clusters or Cymes. Petals O ; style short, 3-cleft nearly to the base. Drupe ¼ to ½ in. long, sub-globose, bitter.
Use : — In Hazara the fruit is used as a purgative (STEWART).
294. R. triqueter, Wall, h. f. b. i., i. 639.
Vern. : — Rangrek (Pb.) Lhish Jaunsar.
Habitat : — Punjab, in the Salt Range ; Western Himalaya, from the Jhelum, alt. 3-4,000 ft., to Kumaon. Lanowla, Purandhar Hill, in the Poona District.
A small tree. Branchlets and leaves, with dense short tomentum. Leaves ovate or elliptic-oblong. Secondary nerves 6-10 pair, prominent. Blade 2-5 in., petiole ½-¾in. long. Flowers clustered on axillary racemes attaining 3 in., puberulous, fascicled on the leafless (very rarely leafy) branches. Fruit ⅛ in., obovoid, 3-lobed. Seeds, with a broad open groove.
Use : — Talbot writes that " it is very like R. Wightii, and may have been formerly cultivated in the Deccan for its medicinal qualities " (Forest Flora, p. 30).
295. Gouania leptostachya, D.C., h.f.b.i., i. 643.
Vern. : — Batwasi, tung-cheougmourik (Sikkim.)
