Scientific name: Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Müll.Arg.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Synonym: Croton philippensis Lam.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Sinduri, Kamalaguli, Kamela, Kingur, Punag, Tung (Bengali); Raini (Dhaka-Mymensingh); Rora (Dinajpur).
Tribal name: Kuruar gach (Chakma), Bol-thuthu (Garo), Nikhrow (Marma), Mounoajaya (Tanchangya).
English name: Monkey face tree, Kamela tree, Red berry.
Description of the plant: A small tree, up to 15 m tall. Leaves 5-15 cm long, ovate to ovate-lanceolate. Flowers dioecious, small; the males clustered in erect, long, terminal spikes; the females in short spikes. Capsules 8-10 mm across, 3-lobed, brick-red.
Plant parts used: Leaf, fruit, root.
Ethnomedicinal uses: A paste is made with the leaves of the plant is applied on the infected skin twice a day for three days to treat wounds, cuts, and skin disease.
The fruits of the plant are used to treat ringworms, bronchitis, stone in the bladder, and scabies.
A decoction of leaves is administered for anorexia, diarrhoea, constipation, and dysmenorrhoea.
An extract is made with the leaves of the plant is used for having hot bath once a day for two weeks to treat paralysis.
A paste is made with the roots of the plant is applied on the affected part of the body until the rheumatism is cured.
Fresh juice is extracted from the leaves of the plant is taken thrice a day (two tea spoons amount each time) until the spermatorrhoea is cured.
Distribution: The species sporadically occurs almost all over the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
