Common Name:

General Information

Rhamnus wightii is a large shrub
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine and is traded in local markets. It has occasionally been cultivated as a medicinal plant[].

Known 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 References

Range

E. Asia - southern India.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark and the fruit are astringent, deobstruent and tonic[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

All the species of Rhamnus contain a mixture of compounds (mainly rhamnetin, quercitin and rhamnazin) that make a range of good quality dyes. The colour and its intensity depend upon what part of the plant is used as dyeing material (leaves, fruits and bark are most commonly used), at what period of growth it is collected and in what state it is used. With the use of the corresponding mordants (alum, copper and iron vitriols, tin dioxide, chromium, etc.) it is possible to obtain virtually the entire spectrum of colours from lemon-yellow to purple and dark cinnamon-brown, from olive-green to intensive blue and violet[].
The dye extracts obtained from the bark, leaves and fruits are suitable for dyeing cottons, silks, woollens, leather, paper and wood. These dyes are often exceptional for their fastness[].

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of Rhamnus species are generally rich in fatty oil and several of them are extracted for use as lubricating oils etc[].

The yellowish-brown wood is close-grained, moderately hard[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates readily when sown fresh[]. Most of the seeds germinate, taking from 2 - 6 weeks, with some still germinating after 8 weeks. Germination rate is usually 80 - 90%[].

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