Gouania tiliifolia Lam.

Family: Rhamnaceae

Synonym: Gouania leptostachya DC.                           

Bengali/Vernacular name: Harjen gagota.

Tribal name: Bodu ranga sibang (Chakma), Luri chbang (Marma), Dibok-pak-bidu (Garo).

English name: Slender spiked gouania.

Description of the Plant: A large unarmed climbing shrub with lateral tendrils. Leaves simple, alternate, petiolate, ovate, crenate, acuminate, base subcordate, deciduous.Flowers in axillary or terminal racemes, polygamous. Fruit a schizocarp, glabrous, 3-angled, seeds obovate.

Plant parts Used: Leaf, stem.

Traditional Uses: Paste prepared from the leaves and stems of the plant is applied to treat wounds, and body pain.
Juice extracted from the leaves and stems of the plant is advised to take for the treatment of excessive menstruation.
The leaves of the plant are used as a poultice for sores.
Decoction prepared from the roots of the plant is given to treat gonorrhea.
The pulped stems, roots, and leaves are used to treat skin complaints.
The plant is also used in the treatment of liver cancer, pneumonia, syphilis, urticaria, and vertigo

Distribution: It occurs in different parts of greater Dhaka, Habiganj, and Chittagong Hill Tracts.

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