Glycosmis pentaphylla is a species of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, known commonly as orange berry and gin berry. These are observed in good numbers along the Mula River bank and also in some pockets of Ram River bank in Ram- Mula confluence in Baner. It is known as किरकिरा in Marathi.
Scientific Classification:
Scientific name: Glycosmis pentaphylla,
Kingdom: Plantae,
Family: Rutaceae,
Order: Sapindales,
Genus: Glycosmis,
Phylum: Tracheophyta,
Class: Magnoliopsida
Description:
Glycosmis pentaphylla is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing up to 5 meters tall. The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for local use as a food and medicine. It has gained in popularity as an edible fruit in parts of the Caribbean, where it is sometimes cultivated. It is also sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in various parts of the tropics.
Identification:
Usually, these shrubs are under 3 ft height and can be termed as under shrub, but they can grow as high 6 ft. Grows up to 1.5 meter, leaves imparipinnately (having a terminal unpaired leaflet) compound, alternate with entire margin and dotted glands, flowers white, axillary panicles; fruits globose.
Habitat:
Hillside and valley woods at elevations of 600 - 1,200 meters in wild dense forests. Prefers relatively dry habitats at elevations from sea-level up to 1,000 meters, and is commonly encountered in secondary thickets.
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw. It is sweet and fleshy. The small, translucent pink fruits have a juicy flesh and a sort of spicy, gin-like flavor. The reddish, sub-globose fruit is 8-10mm in diameter.
Medicinal Use:
- The plant is often used in traditional medicine, both on its own and as an ingredient of various medicinal mixtures.
- Several alkaloids and amides that have been isolated from the plant are reported to have biological activities.
- Glycozolidol, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from the roots, is active against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
- Leaf and stem bark extracts have been shown to have a healing effect upon damaged liver tissue.
- Extracts of the root bark have been shown to exhibit significant activity in the treatment of diarrhea. An ethanol extract was found to be more effective at lower dosages than an aqueous extract. A decoction of the roots is given for facial inflammation.
- A steam distillate of the leaves has shown high antifungal activity against Cladosporium cladosporioides, but no activity against Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli.
- A decoction of the roots is taken to treat bilious attacks. A decoction of roots and leaves is taken for intestinal trouble.
- An infusion of leaves and roots is given after childbirth as a protective medicine.
- The leaves are considered appetitive, stomachic and an infusion of roasted leaves is prescribed for women after delivery as an appetizer.
- In traditional Indian medicine, the plant is used to treat diarrhea, coughs, rheumatism, anemia, and jaundice.
- Juice of the leaves is used in fever, liver complaints and as a vermifuge.
- A paste of the leaves, mixed with ginger, is applied for eczema and skin affections.
To Spare an Hour for the River on a Sunday!
Contributors: Prachi W., Mrinal V., Sanjana K.
An Adopt A Stretch Initiative by Citizens group
