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6. Terminalia tomentosa Wight and Arn., Prodr. 314. 1834. (Fig. 117).
COMBRETACEAE
Terminalia tomentosa var. typica C. B. Clarke—Terminalia glabra var. tomentosa Dalz. and
Gibs. - Terminalia atata Roth—Terminalia ovat Herb. Rot tier.—Terminalia chebula var.
minor FTuerck & Muell Arg.—Pentaptera tomentosa Roxb.
Engl, Black Murdah; Sinh. Asana; Tarn. Aruchanam, Kagubam, Kalimarudu,
Karumarudu, Karuppumarudu, Marudam, Marudu, Maruta-maram, Mikkuvam, Pudavam;
Hindi Ain. Asaina, Asan, Asna, Assain, Kauha, Sadri, Sain, Saj, Sein; Sans. Dharaphala,
Krishnatvaka, Nissaraphalaka, Sajada. Saradru, Shyamasaraka, Vanajavriksha, Viravrikshaka.
A tall, erect tree with a straight trunk, rough, deeply cracked bark and young parts more
or less clothed with yellowish-brown pubescence; leaves simple, sub-opposite or the uppermost
alternate, hard, coriaceous, 7.5—20 cm long, 5—8 cm broad, ovate-oblong or elliptic-oblong,
rarely obovate, softly tomentose when young becoming more or less glabrous when mature, with
I or 2 stalked glands usually on the midrib at the base, but sometimes absent, base often cordate,
main nerves arcuate, parallel, 10—20 pairs, prominent; petioles I cm long, pubescent when
young, glabrous when old; flowers regular, bisexual, dull yellow, in axillary fulvous—pubescent
spikes or terminal panicles; calyx hairy or glabrous outside, 4 mm long, mouth broadly
campanulate, constricted above the ovary, limb of 5, short, valvate triangular lobes, lobes 1.5 mm
long, slightly hairy within; bracteoles 4 mm long, linear-lanceolate, hairy, caducous; petals
absent: stamens 10, inserted on the calyx lobes, biseriate, the 5 lower opposite calyx teeth, the
5 upper longer and alternate with the calyx teeth, filaments exserted; ovary inferior, unilocular
with 2 or 3 pendulous ovules, style subulate, thickened and villous at the base, stigma simple;
drupe 3.5—5 cm long wuh 5 broad, coriaceous, brown, glabrous wings striated with numerous
straight lines running horizontally from the axis to the edges.
Flowers between April and June.
Illustrations. Wight, Ic. PI. Ind/Orient. I: pi. 195. 1839; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. 1:
pi 17. 1968—73: Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. PI. pi. 415. 1933.
Distribution. Grows in India, Nepal and Sikktm. It is easily cultivated in Ceylon.
India. Manipur: Kabo Valley, Khongal Thannah, Watt. ^620. Dec. 1882. Annamallay,
Beddome. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 1008, Kew Distribution 1866—7.
Uses. The bark has diuretic and cardio-tonic properties. It is taken in decoction for
atonic diarrhoea. The powdered bark mixed with oil is used to remove apthae. It is also
applied externally on ulcers and on fractures.
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