Ventilago madraspatana (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Ventilago madraspatana Gaertner
- Protologue: Fruct. sem. pl. 1(1): 223, t. 49, f. 2 (1788).
- Family: Rhamnaceae
Vernacular names
- Indonesia: lian, talibubu (Ambon).
Distribution
This species occurs rather dispersed: southern India, Sri Lanka, southern Burma, Andaman Islands, Java and Moluccas (Indonesia).
Uses
The root bark is used in India for colouring mordanted cotton, wool and silk. Reddish shades are obtained. In combination with the root of Oldenlandia umbellata L., a beautiful dark brown colour is obtained. The bark yields a fibre used for cordage, and is also used medicinally. Cooked seeds are eaten, and the seed oil is used for cooking. The wood is used as fuel.
In India the root bark is credited with stomachic, tonic and stimulant properties. It is prescribed in atonic dyspepsia, debility and fevers. Mixed with oil it is used as an external application for the treatment of itch and other skin troubles.
Observations
- A large woody liana with extensive branches hanging down from the tops of trees.
- Leaves distichous and simple, elliptical-ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 1.5-8.5(-12.5) cm √ó 1.5-3(-6) cm, base rounded, sometimes slightly oblique, apex acute or sub-acuminate, glabrous.
- Inflorescence a terminal or axillary panicle; flowers very small, yellowish-green.
- Fruit a nut surrounded near the base by the saucer-shaped calyx tube, 5-7(-13) mm in diameter, apical wing 2-4(-7) cm long.
The root bark contains a number of pigments, the most important being ventilagin, a reddish-brown resinous product, and emodin. The colours produced on clothes are fairly fast when a mordant is used. The wood is pale yellow, porous and soft. In Java, V. madraspatana occurs here and there in lowland forests; in Sri Lanka it is found in hilly forest up to 700 m altitude..
Selected sources
7, 8, 12, 23, 29, 32, 45, 46. dyes
62, 181, 542, 782. medicinals
Main genus page
Authors
- A.M. Aguinaldo