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3. Shore* robusta Gaertn. f. Fruct. 3: 48. /. 186. 1848. (Fig. 186).
Vatka robusta Steud.
D1PTER0CARPEAE
Engl. Indian Dammer, Sal tree; Sinh. Dam mala, Sal-gaha; Tarn. A nam. Kungiliyam,
Shalam; Hindi Sakher, Sakhu. Sakhua, Sakob. Sal. Sala, Salwa. Shal; Sans. Agnivallabha,
Ashvakarna, Ashvakarnika, Chiraparna, Dhanya, Dirghaparna, Dirghashaka, Divyasara,
Jaladashara, Jaranadruma, Kala. Kalalajodhbhava, Kashya, Kashayt. Kaushika, Kaushikahva,
Kushika, Lalana, Latashankha, Latataru, Rala, Ralakarya, Sala, Salaniryas, Salaveshta, Sarja,
Sarjakarya, Sarjarasa, Sarjjaka, Sasyasambara, Sasyasamvera, Shankataru, Shankurriksha,
Shasyasambara, Shura. Sidhaka, Sureshtaka, Tarkshyapravasa, Vallivriksha, Vansha. Vastakarna.
Yakshadhupa.
A deciduous tree with a dark brown bark, cracking longitudinally; leaves simple,
alternate, 10—30 cm long, 5—18 cm broad, ovate-oblong, acuminate, tough, thinly coriaceous,
glabrous and shining when mature, cordate or rounded, lateral nerves 12—15 pairs; petioles
12—2 cm long; stipules 7.5 mm long, pubescent and deciduous; flowers regular, bisexual,
yellowish in terminal and axillary racemose panicles 7.5—23 cm long; calyx-tube very short,
not enlarged in the fruit, adnate to the torus, lobes 2.5 mm long, ovate, grey tomentose outside,
imbricate, unequally enlarged in the fruit and closely embracing it; petals 5, narrow-oblong or
lanceolate, silky tomentose outside; stamens numerous, shorter than petals, connectives with
subulate bearded appendages, minutely 3-fid at apex; ovary superior, 3-Iocular with two ovules
in each loculus, style subulate; fruit ovoid, 1.2 cm long,.indehiscent, pubescent, wings of the
fruiting calyx unequal, oblong or spathulate with 10—15 longitudinal nerves joined by numerous
transverse veins.
Illustrations. Gaertn. f., Fruct. 3: pi. 186. 1805; Beddome, Fl. Sylvat. pi. 4. 1868—73:
Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 113. 1933.
Distribution. Grows in the jungles of tropical Himalaya, Assam and Khasia Hills. One
specimen of it is in cultivation in the Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya.
India. Sikkim: J. D. Hooker; Wallich 965; Beddome; Calcutta Bot. Gard., Wallich
965/3; Dehra Dun, Roy I, April 1921.
Uses. The resin exuded from the tree is used for dysentery, weak digestion, gonorrhoea
and as an aphrodisiac.
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