Clausena excavata Buringit

Scientific Name: Clausena excavata Burm. f. Family : Rutaceae

Local names: buringit (Tag.), curry plant (Engl.), pink lime berry (Engl.)

Distribution: Philippines: Luzon, Mindoro, Culion, Palawan, Sulu Archipelago.

It is also found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Sulawesi, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam

Habitat: Grows in secondary forests, along roadsides and disturbed areas at low altitudes.

Description.. It is a profusely branched, evergreen shrub to small tree, growing from 1-2 m tall, up to 10 m. The leaves are pinnately compound and with unsymmetric lanceolate to rhomboid leaflets. The inflorescence is terminal, with white to pale yellow flowers. The fruit is ellipsoid, with 1 to 2 seeds.

Economic uses: The leaves, when crushed, emits a scent similar to curry. It is used to flavor food, especially curry dishes. It is also medicinal and used to treat many ailments in other countries. It is said to cure stomach ache and is used as an astringent. The pounded leaves are cure for headache. The fruits are edible. It is also planted as an ornamental.

Note: This plant is popularly called ‘curry plant’ in the Philippines because of the curry scent of the crushed leaves. The ‘ true curry plant’ is Murraya

koenigii which is native of India and Sri Lanka.

For further information write to: madulid.d@gmail.com