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Gaultheria fragrantissima

Gaultheria fragrantissima
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Gaultheria
Species:
G. fragrantissima
Binomial name
Gaultheria fragrantissima
Wall.
Synonyms[2]

Brossaea fragrantissima (Wall.) Kuntze

Gaultheria fragrantissima is a species of flowering plant native to southern and southeastern Asia. It is commonly known as fragrant wintergreen[3] or dhasingre.[1]

Description

Gaultheria fragrantissima is a shrub or small tree.[2] The flowering period of the plant extends from April to May.[4]

The form of the plant and the size and shape of its leaves can vary considerably based on its habitat. In forest understoreys and at forest margins it is typically a large shrub or small tree with large leaves. In drier and sunnier conditions, like exposed slopes and thickets, it is a small narrow-leaved shrub.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Gaultheria fragrantissima ranges from India and Sri Lanka through Nepal, Tibet, and the Himlalayas to south-central China, and to Vietnam, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, and Bali.[2]

Gaultheria fragrantissima is native to montane tropical and subtropical forests from 1,375 to 2,650 metres elevation.[1] It can be found in a variety of conditions, including in the understorey of mature forests and at forest margins on humus-rich moist soils, as well as on drier and exposed slopes among other shrubs.[3]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:[2]

  • Gaultheria fragrantissima subsp. fragrantissima – India and Sri Lanka to south-central China, Myanmar, and Peninsular Malaysia. Synonyms include Gaultheria forrestii Diels, Gaultheria fragrans D.Don, Gaultheria hirsuta Gardner ex C.B.Clarke, Gaultheria leschenaultii DC., Gaultheria ovalifolia Wall., and Gaultheria rudis Stapf.[5]
  • Gaultheria fragrantissima var. obovata S.Panda & Sanjappa – south Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu in southern India.
  • Gaultheria fragrantissima subsp. punctata (Blume) Steenis – Sumatra, Java, and Bali. Gaultheria punctata Blume is a synonym.[6]

Uses

An essential oil is derived from the leaves of the plant. The aromatic oil is used in perfumery, as a hair oil, and medicinally. It is used topically to treat rheumatism, scabies, and neuralgia, and taken internally to treat hookworm.[3]

G. fragrantissima subsp. fragrantissima is used as a medicinal plant in Ayurveda. The plant is known as "Wel kapuru - වල් කපුරු" or "Wel kapuru - වෙල් කපුරු" by Sinhalese people.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Harvey-Brown, Y. 2022. Gaultheria fragrantissima. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T147635791A147635793. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T147635791A147635793.en. Accessed 20 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall., Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 20 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Gaultheria fragrantissima Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Accessed 22 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Biodiversity of Sri Lanka: වල් කපුරු[Wal-Kapuru] (Gaultheria fragrantissima [Syn: Gaultheria leschenaultii])". 29 December 2013.
  5. ^ Gaultheria fragrantissima subsp. fragrantissima, Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 20 March 2023.
  6. ^ Gaultheria fragrantissima subsp. punctata (Blume) Steenis, Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Ayurvedic Plants of Sri Lanka: Plants Details".
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