Flacourtia jangomas

Scientific name: Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch.

Family: Flacourtiaceae

Synonym: Stigmarota jangomas Lour.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Paniala, Paniamala, Lukluki (Bengali); Tokroi (Sylhet); Painnagola (Chittagong).

Tribal name: Riamcha (Bawm), Painnya gula (Chakma), Che-marang (Garo), Thingrong (Khumi), Soh-k-noui (Khasia), Riam shang (Lushai), Ne-re-shi (Marma), Puincha (Murang), Khoro gola (Rakhaing), Painna mola (Tripura).

English name: Indian cherry.

Description of the plant: A small tree, up to 15 m tall, is bearing compound spines. Leaves 5-10 cm long, oblong or ovate, acuminate, crenate-serrate, glabrous. Flowers small, unisexual, pale-yellow or whitish, fragrant, in short axillary, sub-corymbose racemes. Fruit a globose berry, 1.2-1.8 cm across, dark-purple when fully ripe.

Plant parts used: Leaf, root.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied on the affected part of the body until the paralysis is cured.

The fresh juice is extracted from the roots of the plant is taken thrice a day (three tea spoons amount each time) until the remittent fever and vomiting is cured.

A fresh juice is extracted from the leaves of the plant is applied on the whole body twice a day for 5 days to treat poisoning effect.

The powder prepared from the dried leaves of the plant is given for the treatment of diarrhoea, cough, and bronchitis.

Cottonseed-sized pills are made with the leaves of the plant are taken with honey thrice a day (one pill each time) for two weeks to treat tetanus.

An extract is made with the roots of the plant is used for gargling four times a day until the toothache is cured.

A paste is made with the leaves of the plant is applied on the affected parts of the body twice a day for two weeks to treat urticaria.

Distribution: This species occurs in the forests of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, and the Chittagong

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….