Rhamnaceae FAMILY

Rhamnus virgata

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging.

Botanical Description

Rhamnus virgata is a much-branched, spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow up to 6 metres tall[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. , 1647 Title The Forest Flora of North-west and Central India - A handbook of the indigenous trees and shrubs of those countries. Publication Author Stewart J.L. & Brandis D. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher W.H. Allen & Co; London Year 1874 ISBN Description Excellent for its time, the book still contains much useful and interesting information on Indian plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fuel.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - Himalayan regions of southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand.

HabitatForest undergrowth; at elevations up to 2,700 metres[ 146 Title A Manual of Indian Timbers. Publication Author Gamble. J. S. Publisher Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Year 1972 ISBN - Description First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader. , 158 Title Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Publication Author Gupta. B. L. Publisher Forest Research Institute Press Year 1945 ISBN - Description A good flora for the middle Himalayan forests, sparsly illustrated. Not really for the casual reader. ]. Open places along the margins of forests at elevations of 1000 - 3000 metres in Nepal[ 272 Title Plants and People of Nepal Publication Author Manandhar. N. P. Publisher Timber Press. Oregon. Year 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6 Description Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses. ].