Scientific name: Gmelina arborea Roxb.
Family: Verbenaceae
Synonym: Gmelina rheedii Hook., Premna tomentosa Miq.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Gamari, Gamar, Gamri (Bengali); Joginchakra (Mymensingh).
Tribal name: Rammain pang (Chak); Gambhari-phang, Bol-kobak (Garo); Aabbey (Khumi); Thlang-bawng (Lushai); Invong (Pangkhoa); Kaethai-apang (Rakhaing); Ramani (Mogh); Reminiba, Remnibang (Marma); Gamber (Chakma); Gamari gaith (Tanchangya).
English name: Chandahar tree, Cashmere tree, Comb teak, White teak.
Description of the plant: A large deciduous tree, with straight trunk. Leaves simple, opposite, broadly ovate, margin entire, cordate at base, glabrous above, hairy on the nerves beneath. Flower in axillary or terminal panicles, brownish-yellow, apically crowded on the branchlets. Fruit a drupe, egg-shaped berry, fleshy, green, turns orange-yellow when ripe.
Plant parts used: Leaf.
Medicinal uses: Pills made from leaves of the plant are taken to treat abdominal pain.
Leaf juice is taken for the treatment of gonorrhoea and cough.
Distribution: This species is occurs naturally in the forests of Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka, Mymensingh and also planted all over the country.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
