14. Dichroa febrifuga Loureiro HYDRANGEACAE

Hindi: basak

This shrub is related to the hydrangea. It has attractive blue berries and is widespread in subtropical South-East Asia, occurring up to an altitude of 2300 metres in the Himalaya. The specific name ‘febrifuga’ refers to its use in the treatment of fevers, for which the shoots and bark of the roots are used.

Photograph of Dichroa febrifuga in wild in Bhutan