38. First Record of Gum Exudation from the Gonda Tree Cordia Myxa Linn. (Family: Boraginaceae)

1 Pages·2001·0.59 MB·

by  Hamid A Khan

MISCELLANEOUSNOTES
Bangladesh was also traced at CAL and AcKNOWLEDGEMENT
identified as O. nayarii Giri, which extended
its eastern distribution. We thank the Deputy Director, Central
Specimens examined at CAL: india: National Herbarium for facilities.
Assam: Pantung Forest, 5.iv.l938, K. Biswas
s.n.; locality not mentioned, Junkings s.n. January 29, 1999 G.S. GIRI
Meghalaya: Khasia, ca 600 m, 14.ix.1886, S.K. MANDAL
Clarke44776A(Holotype);Ibid., Clarke44776 Botanical Survey ofIndia
B-D (Isotypes); Khasia, G. Manns.n.; Shillong, Central National Herbarium,
ca 1,200 m, 7.V.1986, Pal s.n.; West Bengal: P.O. Botanic Garden,
Bengal Or., ca 1,200 m, J.D.H. & T.T. s.n. Howrah 711 103,
Bangladesh: ChittagongHillTracts, 1886, WestBengal,
Dr. King’s collectorNo. 239. India.
38. FIRST RECORD OF GUM EXUDATION FROM THE GONDA TREE
CORDIAMYXA LINN. (FAMILY: BORAGINACEAE)
Gonda CordiamyxaLinn. (Boraginaceae) benzidine, and (ii) it gave a white precipitate
is an importanthorticultural tree. Gonda is also with lead acetate instead of no precipitate.
reportedtohavemedicinalandtherapeuticvalue Despite slight variations in its properties
(Chopra et al. 1956). In this paper, we report compared to Indian gum, the high solubility in
for the first time gum exudation from Gonda water and attractive physical appearance ofthe
tree. In December, 1994, 490 gm of the gum Gondagummaybe exploitedforuse invarious
was collected from trees around Jodhpur. The applications.
gum was in the form ofirregular broken tears
of varying size, generally colourless, with a Acknowledgement
brittle, fractured surface. The sample was
odourless, mucilaginous and tasted bland. The We thank Dr A.S. Faroda, Director,
powder was white in colour. The gum was Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur
practically insoluble in alcohol and almost for his keen interest and encouragement.
entirely soluble in twice its weight of water,
yielding a highly viscous, slightly acidic February 27, 1999 HAMID A. KHAN,
solution. When diluted with more water and *B.B.VASHISHTHA,
allowed to stand, the sample produced a M. MOHIBB E AZAM
negligible amount of gummy residue. It was CentralAridZone Research Institute,
distinguishable from the Indian gum described Jodhpur 342 003, Rajasthan, India.
in the pharmacopoeia of india (Anon 1970): (i) *PresentAddress:
itproduced a greenishinsteadofblue colouron National Research Centrefor Horticulture,
treatment with hydrogen peroxide and Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
Refe ENCES
Anonymous (1970): The Pharmacopoeia of India, Chopra, R.N., S.L. Nayyar & I.C. Chopra (1956):
GovernmentofIndia, Ministry ofHealth, 2nd Edn, Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, Council of
Publ.ManagerofPublications,Delhi,p.347. Scientific&IndustrialResearch,NewDelhi.Pp.77.
152 JOURNAL. BOMBAYNATURAL HISTORYSOCIETY, 98(1), APR. 2001