Scientific name: Grewia asiatica L.
Family: Tiliaceae
Synonym: Grewia hainesiana Hole
Bengali/Vernacular name: Phalsa, Sakri, Pisla, Pesondi, Datoi, Phepsia, Kapaija, Phuldamar, Naris, Deogola, Sakri.
Tribal name: Tara fru (Marma).
English name: Phalsa.
Description of the plant: A shrub or small tree. Leaves broadly ovate or suborbicular, obliquely cordate or rounded at the base, acuminate at the apex, margin crenate. Flowers are yellow, about 2 cm in length, borne in densely crowded, rarely solitary, axillary cymes. Fruit a drupe, edible, small and round, purple to almost black when ripe.
Plant parts used: Leaf, bark.
Ethnomedicinal uses: Decoction prepared from the bark of the plant is taken thrice a day (40 ml amount each time) for three days to treat diarrhoea.
Juice is extracted from the bark of the plant is taken to treat tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases, menorrhagia, and dysuria.
An extract is made with the leaves of the plant is used to wash the head once a day until the dandruff is cured.
Powder prepared from the dried bark of the plant is taken twice a day (4 gm amount each time) with water until neurological disorders, constipation, and gastritis are cured.
Distribution: The species sporadically occurs almost throughout the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
