| Spinous Kino Tree |
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| File size | 363588 |
| Original date | 8/26/07 8:44 AM |
| Resolution | 2816 x 2112 |
| Flash | Flash did not fire, auto |
| Focal length | 72.0mm |
| Exposure time | 1/50s |
| Aperture | 3.6 |
| Focus Distance | |
| Metering Mode | Multi-segment |
| Camera make | Panasonic |
| Camera model | DMC-FZ7 |
| Sensor type | OneChipColorArea |
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Botanical name: Bridelia retusa Family: Euphorbiaceae (Castor family)
Spinous Kino Tree is identified by rigid leathery leaves with straight parallel lateral veins and strong spines on the bark of young stems. It is a drought hardy species, produces root-suckers and a good coppicer. Inflorescences terminal on mostly leafless twigs, lateral spike-like. Fruit is globose, fleshy sweetish drupe, about the size of a pea, purple-black, seated on a hard enlarged calyx. 1 or 2 seeds with fairly thick bony shells. Distributed throughout India, in hotter parts along the base of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Mishmi, southward to Ceylon. Flowering: May-August.
Medicinal uses: The plant is pungent, bitter, heating, useful in lumbago, hemiplegia; bark is good for the removal of urinary concretions (Ayurveda). Root and bark are valuable astringents. The bark is used as a liniment with gingelly oil in rheumatism.
Identification credit: Dinesh Valke
| Photographed at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. |