Morphological information

Large hairy shrubs or small trees. Roots up to 1.5 m depths, woody with knotty crown. Leaves repand- denticulate, glabrescent above, tomentose below. Flowers yellow, purple or dark red. Capsule membranous, pentagonal, obpyramidal, winged. Seeds many, small, blackish, covered with silky hairs.

Flowering        :     June - December

Fruiting           :    October -January

History            :

Parts               :    Roots, flower and root bark.

Status             :   Vulnerable.

Phytochemistry

Augustic acid, an oleanane derivative and a stigmasterol glycoside have been isolated from the roots [1]; a triterpene and a triterpenic acid have been isolated from root bark (2], mucilaginous component of the root bark has been studied [3]. Earlier choline, betain and β- sitosterol were isolated from roots [4].

Agrocultivation

 

The shrub requires deep, fertile alluvial soils with good drainage. Propagation can be done either from seeds or stem- cuttings; sometimes root suckers may be used for propagation. Sowings are done before rainy season. The field should be ploughed well along with farm- manure to a fine tilth. The seeds can either be directly sown in the field or in nurseries for transplanting. The seeds are sown at the depth of 5 cm optimum for germination.The stems yield a fibre, and are harvested during flowering season between July and December, 100- 120 days after sowing, or after the growth of the new stems following the previous harvest. For coarse fibre, the harvesting may be done as late as 6- 7 months. The stems should be cut 25cm above the ground for new flush.

Medicinal

The root bark is an emmenagogue and uterine tonic. The drug is used in dysmenorrhoea, diabetes, and rheumatic pains.

 

Prepartation

The drug is being used in the form of freshly expressed juice of roots (1 to 3.0ml) and root bark powder (1- 1.5g). A decoction of the flower is made to cure excess menstrual bleeding.