147
Quassia
indica (Gaertn.) Nooteb.
Synonym : Samadera indica Gaertn.
Family
: Simaroubaceae
Local Names : Njotta, Karinjotta, Niepa bark
tree
Flowering
and fruiting period:
Throughout the year
Distribution: India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka
Habitat: Along backwaters and moist deciduous forests
IUCN
status:
Data Deficient
Endemic: No
Uses: The bark is used in
the treatment of fevers. The juice of the pounded bark is considered a cure for
skin diseases. After maceration, or in decoction, the bark and wood are used as
a febrifuge, tonic, stomachic and emmenagogue. A decoction of the leaves is
taken to relieve cough. The macerated leaves, mixed with coconut oil, are used
to kill head lice. The oil from the seeds is applied externally on rheumatic
joints, and used as a liniment on bruises. A decoction of the leaves is used to
kill termites. The macerated leaves, mixed with coconut oil, are applied to the
hair for cleansing purposes.
Key
Characters:
Evergreen tree or shrub to 10 m high.
Leaves elliptic-oblong, glabrous, shining. Flowers 20 or more in umbelliform
glabrous or puberulous inflorescences. Calyx
4-lobed; lobes semiorbicular. Petals 4, free, oblong-oblanceolate,
white, pale yellow or purplish. Stamens 8. Anthers oblong-lanceolate. Drupes
1-4 together, flat, smooth, glandular and reticulate.
