Glycosmis pentaphylla

Scientific name: Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC.

Family: Rutaceae

Synonym: Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) A. DC.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Datmajani, Ban-jamir (Bengali); Motkila (Comilla); Hodiggira (Noakhali).

Tribal name: Tasaing fra, Si ma sere, Tatiang (Marma); Shamlokchari gach (Chakma).

English name: Toothbrush plant, Motar tree.

Description of the plant: An evergreen shrub, 1-2 m tall, branches woody, cylindric, glabrous. Leaves petiolate, usually 3-5 foliolate, rarely 7-foliolate, leaflets opposite and alternate, oblong-elliptic, cuneate at the base, acuminate, or rounded at the apex, entire to subdentate-subcrenate margin. Flower in axillary or terminal panicles; greenish-white, fragrant. Fruit a pulpy berry, subglobose, depressed cream to crimson-red or pinkish when ripe, 1-3 seeded.

Plant parts used: Leaf and stem.

Medicinal uses: Juice extracted from leaves and stems of the plant is taken for the treatment of enlarged liver.

Infusion of leaves and stems is advised to take for the treatment of fever, liver complaints, coughs, rheumatism, anaemia and jaundice.

Distribution: All over the country in the village thickets, roadsides and jungles.

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