Ochna pumila Buch.-Ham. ex DC. in D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 1: 736. 1824; A.W. Bennett in Hook.,f. Fl. Brit. India 1: 524. 1875. O. obtusata DC. var. pumila (Buch.-Ham. ex DC.) Kanis in Blumea 16( 1): 1. 82. 1968. O. collina Edgew. in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 20: 43. 1846.

Bhoj. & Or.: Champa-baha, Buhin, Champa, Tindu; Hindi: Simalkata.

Small shrubs up to 70 cm high, branching at base; roots woody, tuberous. Leaves oblanceolate, obovate-oblong, obtuse to acute at apex, cuneate at base, serrate along margins, 8 - 16 x 3 - 8 cm, coriaceous; petioles up to 7 mm; stipules 6 - 12 mm. Inflorescence 2 - 3-flowered cymes; peduncles 3 - 8 cm long. Sepals ovate to ovate-oblong, 10 - 18 x 5 - 10 mm. Petals deciduous, obovate, 15 - 25 x 7 - 15 mm, bright yellow. Torus swollen, enlarged in fruits. Stamens many; anthers 3 - 4 mm, almost equal or slightly longer than filaments. Ovary 5 - 10 lobed; styles twisted, connate, 8 - 15 mm. Drupes 3 - 5, greenish, turning blackish-red to black on maturity.

Fl. & Fr. March - Aug.

Distrib. India: Mainly in North and North eastern parts and Himalayan states. viz. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, W. Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataca and Tamil Nadu.

Nepal.

Uses. Roots pounded and infusion used as medicine by Rabbahs and Mundas. Leaves are said to be used as poultice for lumbago and ulcers.