Description
Watercolour illustration commissioned by William Roxburgh. ROX1843.
In his 'Flora Indica', Roxburgh describes this plant as a native of Nepal, and adds: '...from thence, in 1802, Dr. Buchanan sent seeds of this tree, to the Botanic garden at Calcutta, under the vernacular name 'yakooshee', where in seven years, the young trees were about fifteen, and twenty feet high, with much the habit of the Walnut tree. Flowering time in the Botanic garden, March; the seed ripens in October.' Roxburgh also observes that the bark, leaves and tender parts of this plant have a peculiar bitter taste, and that the infusion of these parts, with the addition of a little sulphate of iron, becomes black; '...two principles very generally found amongst the plants of this natural order, which grow in India.'
Roxburgh, 'Flora Indica' (1832) v.2, p.390.
Image Licence
All Rights Reserved
Image Credit
image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew
Location
South Asia
Medium
Watercolour
Tags
Category
Flora & Fauna