477

Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.

Synonym	:	Bergera koenigii L.
Family	:	Rutaceae
Local name	:	English - Curry leaf tree, Curry bush Malayalam - Kariveppila, Karivepu
Flowering and fruiting period	:	March-July
Distribution	:	Indo-Malesia and China
Distribution in Kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Cultivated
Uses	:	The leaves are used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. Leaf infusion is drunk to stop vomiting and to treat fever. A poultice of the leaves is applied to skin for eruptions and bruises.
Key Botanical Characters:  Shrubs or small trees. Leaves pinnate crowded at twig-ends; leaflets 15-25, asymmetrical, oblique, 1.5-4 x 0.8-2 cm, oblong-lanceolate, margin entire, apex acute. Panicles terminal, corymbose, many-flowered. Flowers small, white; pedicels 3 mm long. Petals 5, white, linear, sparsely glandular, rounded and slightly recurved at apex. Stamens 10, 5 longer than the others; anthers oblong. Ovary 1 mm long, globose; stigma capitate. Berry 8-11 across, subglobose, purplish-black when ripe. Seeds 1-2, green, globular-ovoid.