Family Rutaceae
B
otanical name Murraya koenilgii (L)
Spreng Chalcas koenilgii (L)
Common name Karapincha
Botanical description

Habit; A small tree with dark grey bark and pubescent branches leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate , impanpinnate, somewhat crowded, spreading, 15-25 cm long rachis pubescent , leaflets 15-25 shortly stalked, 2.5-5 cm long oval or oblong lanceolate, very obleque at base, slightly caudate obtuse or emarginated at apex, irregularly crenate, glabrous above, pubescent beneath, the lower ones smaller, and more rotundate;
The flower is regular, bisexual , white, fragrant, about 1.2 cm long on short pedicels and in much branched, flat topped, corymbose terminal cymes, bracts minute; sepeals 5, small, nearly distinct, triangular, subacute, pubescent; petals5, linear erect, glabrous, valuate gland dotted; stamens free, alternate ones shorter, inserted on a fleshy disc, fitments narrowed. at the top; ovary superior, glabrous, without a gynophore, 2 Jocular with usually one ovule in each loculus, style long stigma large, capitate;
Fruit a globular berry 0.6-1 cm long apiculate, black, 2 seeded, rough with glands. The plant flowers in December and August.
Distribution
Occurs in India and Sri Lanka. It is very common in the low country dry zone. Com position
Fresh leaves contain amahanimbine, murrayanol and mahanine as active alkaloids. The fruit of this plant contains the essential oil koenigin. 9 (Ramanayake et al 2000)
Uses
The leaves bark and roots are tonic and stomachic. The leaves with other ingredients are roasted made into a powder and given for constipation, abdominal colic and diarrhea. The boiled leaves are given for hiccough and hoarseness. The juice of the fresh leaves is also given for diarrhea and dysentery. The bruised leaves are applied externally on eruptions. The leaf of this plant is the familiar curry leaf which is used for flavoring soups, vegetables and meat dishes.
Agronomic description
Grows well in dry climates. Seeds can be used for propagation. Mature well riped fruits are soaked in water for four days. The soaked seeds should be washed thoroughly several times. These seeds should be planted in a sand bed to obtain seedlings. Suckers produced from mature plants also can be used for propagation. Direct sun light and irrigation favors the growth of plants. Addition of. compost and fish meal as manure also enhances the growth of the plants.( Ramanayake et al 2002)
Potential in landscaping
Karapincha is a commonly used herb in many Asian countries. It is a very useful tree to be included in a home garden.