MICHELIA CHAMPACA. Linn.
Champaka, . . BENG. Bongas jampacca, MALAY. Champa, . . . „ Sappoo, . . . SINGH. Saga, . . . . MEM. Shembugha, . . . TAM. Sumpaghy, . . CAN. Champakamu, . . TEL Chen-poo-kia, . CHIN. Kanchanamu, . URTYA.
A large tree of most parts of the E. Indies and China. It grows in the Panjab at Kalka and Kangra, and at Chamba at 2000 to 3000 feet. Those at Chamba attain to 7 or 8 feet in girth, and are 60 or 70 feet high. Ploughshares are occasionally made of the wood. In Ceylon it is used for drums, carriages, palanquins, and in buildings ; it is prized for well-works, verandah posts, and also for furniture, as it polishes well, though it is apt to warp. It flowers and fruits nearly all the year, and has large, deep yellow, intensely fragrant flowers. In China, its bark is used with that of other Magnoliaceaa to adulterate cinnamon.
The beautiful golden-coloured flower is held in high estimation by the Hindus, by whom it is dedicated to Krishna, and is one of five with which the Hindu Kama, god of love, ornaments his arrow. When Vasant'ha, the personified spring time, is preparing the bow and shafts for his friend, ' He bends the luscious cane, and twists the string With bees, how sweet ! but oh! how keen their sting! He with fine flowerets tips the ruthless darts, Which through five senses strike enraptured hearts : Strong .Chumpa, rich in odorous gold ;
Warm Amer, nursed in heavenly mould ; Dry Nag-Kesur, in silver smiling ; Hot Kittikum our sense beguiling ; And last, to kindle fierce the scorching flame, Love•shaft which gods bright Bela name.' Sir William Jones says its aromatic scent is so strong as to be offensive to bees, which never alight upon it. Rheede informs us that the powder of the bark of the root of this tree is given to excite the flow of the menses. The aromatic Sumpunghee oil of Madras is obtained from this tree. It is one of the few Indian trees embalmed in English song, ' The maid of India, blest again to hold full lap, the Champac's leaves of gold, Thinks of the time when, by the Ganges' flood, Her little playmates scattered many a bud Upon her long dark hair.' Its rich orange, exquisitely fragrant blossoms are used by Burmese maidens to adorn their long black hair. The bark is bitter and aromatic, and appeared to Dr. O'Shaughnessy to possess the properties attributed to the Magnolia glauca. It may be given in powder in intermittent fevers, in doses of from 10 to 30 grains.