Deciduous tree

March 4 2024

Kesudo

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Commonly occurring on waste lands after rainy season, it is an erect woody under shrub with furrowed smooth purplish stem. Leaves alternate 15-20 cm long. Leaflets are 3-5 pairs with a gland on petioles, opposite, membranous and lanceolate. Flower yellow in short few flowered racemes. Pod recurved, glabrous, compressed and transversally septate. Seeds are numerous, compressed, ovoid, smooth and shining dark olive green. Flowering and fruiting in August-January.

Part used: Whole plant

Usage: A decoction of plant treats dysentery and other stomach problems. Paste of leaves used both externally and internally to treat skin diseases like scabies, ringworms and itches. Hot decoction of leaves acts as antiperiodic. Poultice of leaves and flowers treat eczema. Externally seed paste is also applied to treat skin troubles. The roots are purgative and diuretic. Paste of root is effective in eczema, ringworm and other skin problems.

Agrotechniques : No proper Agrotechniques are available though it is propagated by seeds.

March 4 2024

Amaltas

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It occurs throughout but common in forest area or as avenue plantation along the roads. Small to medium sized tree with large dark green, shining leaflets. Bright yellow flowers are in large axillary racemes. Fruit cylindrical pod 50-60cem long and dark brown in colour. Seeds are small flat, black shiny and embedded in sweetish black pulp. Flowering and fruiting from April to February.

Part used: Whole plant

Usage: The bark is antidysentery tonic and eaten raw to treat stomach ache. It is also used in skin diseases such as eczema, leucoderma and arthritis. Leaves are useful in rheumatism and facial paralysis. Juice or paste of leaves is also used in ringworm and inflammation of the hands or feet caused by exposure to cold. Fruit pulp is well known safe purgative. The pulp is effective in loss of sense of taste (Aguesia) due to excessive use of opium. A decoction of the pods is also used for pneumonia and common fever. The powdered seeds are a cure for intestinal amoebiasis. Root is useful in common colds. Inhaling smoke from the roots encourages nasal discharge. Root and bark are also useful in reducing fever.

Agrotechniques : It can be raised by direct sowing, planting out saplings or stump planting. The nursery raised
saplings 15-30 cm tall are planted in pits 30 cm at the start of monsoon rains. These are spaced at 5×5 m. One light irrigation is required after transplantation of plant. After that one or two irrigations are required up to flowering. Weeding required regularly. Mature pods collected directly from the plant and dried in shade.

March 2 2024

Salaran

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Commonly found in the rocky areas, it is a deciduous, medium to large tree with ash coloured smooth papery bark. Leaves alternate imparipinnate; leaflet 8-15 pairs, opposite, pubescent, dark green and variable in shape. Flowers small, white in axillary racemes. Fruit trigonous, hard and winged. Flowering and fruiting in April December.

Part used: Stem bark, Flower and Gum

Usage : The yellow coloured gum exudes from the bark is an effective stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, in the treatment of ulcer, tumours, diarrhoea and dysentery, piles and skin diseases. Decoction of stem bark cures chronic cough and cold. Powdered flowers also cure cold and fever. Gum is used in the preparation of an ointment for sores and skin eruptions.

Agrotechniques : Seeds, root suckers, branch cuttings can be used to propagate it. Nursery raised saplings can be planted during rains in pits 60 cm even on rocky slopes with shallow gravelly and skeletal soils. Root suckers and branch cuttings can be planted directly in pits. Irrigation and weeding required frequently in first 3 years of its protection and care.