''Gaultheria fragrantissima'' is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

native to southern and southeastern Asia. It is commonly known as fragrant wintergreen or ''dhasingre''.

Description

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

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. ''Gaultheria fragrantissima'' is native to montane tropical and subtropical forests from 1,375 to 2,650 metres elevation. 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.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized: * ''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. * ''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.

Uses

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the ...

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 Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. Rheumatism does not designate any specific disorder, but covers at least 200 different conditions, including a ...

scabies Scabies (; also sometimes known as the seven-year itch) is a contagious human skin infestation by the tiny (0.2–0.45 mm) mite ''Sarcoptes scabiei'', variety ''hominis''. The word is from . The most common symptoms are severe itchiness a ...

, and

neuralgia Neuralgia (Greek ''neuron'', "nerve" + ''algos'', "pain") is pain in the distribution of a nerve or nerves, as in intercostal nerve, intercostal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and glossopharyngeal nerve, glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Classifica ...

, and taken internally to treat

hookworm Hookworms are Gastrointestinal tract, intestinal, Hematophagy, blood-feeding, parasitic Nematode, roundworms that cause types of infection known as helminthiases. Hookworm infection is found in many parts of the world, and is common in areas with ...

.''Gaultheria fragrantissima''
Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Accessed 22 March 2023. ''G. fragrantissima'' subsp. ''fragrantissima'' is used as a medicinal plant in

Ayurveda Ayurveda (; ) is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is heavily practised throughout India and Nepal, where as much as 80% of the population report using ayurveda. The theory and practice of ayur ...

. The plant is known as "Wel kapuru - වල් කපුරු" or "Wel kapuru - වෙල් කපුරු" by

Sinhalese people The Sinhalese people (), also known as the Sinhalese or Sinhala people, are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the island of Sri Lanka. They are the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka, constituting about 75% of ...

References

External links

jstor.orgPollen morphology or some selected plants from Horton Plains
fragrantissima Flora of the Indomalayan realm Plants described in 1820 Essential oils {{Ericaceae-stub