Vernacular: ‘Taliana’.

RUBINA AKHTER

A large shrub up to 3 m tall. Young branches and undersurface of leaves stellately tomentose. Leaves 5-12 x 3-6 cm, ovate or orbicular, entire, crenate or wavy, lateral nerves 5-6 pairs, obliquely bifurcating halfway between midrib and edge of leaf, prominent beneath; petiole 1-2.5 cm long. Flower: 6-8 mm long, in peduncled, corymbose cymes; branches of inflorescence woody. Bracts 5-6 mm long, linear, narrow. Corolla white, shortly campanulate; tube ± 5.5 mm long. Staminal filaments unequal, 3 attached above, 2 below near the base of corolla tube; anthers versatile. Stigma subsessile. Drupe 8-9 mm long, oblong, compressed, red-black. Seed dorsally 2-grooved, ventrally 3-grooved.

Fl. Per.: March-May.

Type: “Habitat in Srinagar”, Kamroop.

Distribution: Afghanistan & Pakistan Himalaya.

A common shrub with leaves white cottony below and small white flowers which appear in early spring before the leaves. Found in open sunny places N. W. Himalaya from 900-3500 m. The fruit is sweetish and edible.