Motkila or Gin berry, Glycosmis pentaphylla

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Motkila or Gin berry (Glycosmis pentaphylla, family: Rutaceae) is a woody shrub with branches, attaining a height of 2-5 m. Bark is yellowish. The leaves are almost like the leaves of Blackberry. In Bangladesh it is found on fallow land and in jungles of rural areas. It is also found in South and Southeast Asia and Australia.

                                    Other names:  Datmajon, Ash-sheora, Daton, Atesshor.


Leaflets 1-5, green, large, entire, lanceolate-oblong, alternate, petioled, aromatic.


Flowers are small, creamy white, pubescent, clustered on terminal cyme. 


Fruit is a berry, small, round, light pink or whitish, fleshy and juicy when ripe. Seeds 1-3. Flowers and fruits are found round the year. The evergreen plant is propagated by seeds and cuttings. 


Bark, root and wood are used in the treatment of acne, itching, worms, fever, cough etc. Leaf juice is useful in liver disease, gum pain, eczema and skin diseases. 


Branches are used as toothbrush. Fruit is edible. The species name pentaphylla has come due to having its 5 leaves in each rachis.

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