A deciduous shrub up to 10 m tall. Leaves alternate, red-pink when young, variable in size, 3 to 12 cm long and 2.5 to 5.0 cm wide, apex obtusely acuminate, base cuneate to round, margins coarsely crenate or serrate, glabrous; petioles 0.3 to 2 cm. Flowers greenish-yellow, unsexual; short tomentose racemes; sepals 4 to 5, 2 mm long, ovate or orbicular, hispid and ciliate; petals absent. Fruit globose dark-red or black, fleshy berry, persistent style. Seeds pale brown, rugose testa.

Antirheumatic (seed); diuretic, alleviates spasms, hypothermic, antistrychnine and stimulates the central nervous and cardiovascular systems (aerial part); anthelminthic (fruit)

PIER

A cyanogenetic glycoside and an emulsion-like enzyme (plant).

In cholera (gum); enlargement of the spleen and in jaundice and against roundworms (fruit). Used to treat biliousness, rheumatism, gout, skin diseases, urinary disorders and mental disorders (bark).

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.