UNCHANA
(Syzigium bracteatum)

 A flower and leaves of unchana

Family: Myrtaceae

Synonym: Eugenia bracteata

Other names: sagarabatua, misi-ia-thap, lukluki-jam.

            Unchana is a shrub or small tree, found in the East Indian states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya and also in Tamil Nadu in South India upto an elevation of 900 m.  It also grows in Nepal where they call it harch.

            Unchana is cultivated in many parts of India as an ornamental plant.  It bears handsome white flowers.

            The fruits are globose berries, orange or red in colour having a persistent calyx.

            The fruits are eaten when ripe.  These are available through out the year.