Dear Prof. Gurucharan Ji, though the word ratti is not used but the account is given in The Trees of Calcutta by A.P.Benthall-
The seeds are much used by jeweller and goldsmiths as measure of weight, because they are said very constantly in weigh precisely 4 grains each. They are also worn as ornaments and are often set in gold. Promila Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:16:46 +0530 Subject: Re: [efloraofindia:27521] Re: Kunch From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Promila ji I could find the following names for Adenanthera pavonnia, (but not the "Ratti" which is used for Abrus precatorius): Sans: kunchandana. Beng: Rakta, kambal. Mar: Thorligunj, Manjadi. Tam: Anikundumani. Tel: Bandi, guruvenda. Kan: Manjetti. English: Coral wood, Red wood, Red sandalwood tree, Saga seed tree. The attractive red seeds have been used as beads in jewellery, leis and rosaries. They were also used in ancient India for weighing gold. The seeds are curiously similar in weight. Four seeds make up about one gramme. In fact the name "saga" is traced to the Arabic term for "goldsmith". The seeds were eaten in Melanesia and Polynesia and the people there called it the "food tree". The seeds were roasted before eating. Elsewhere they are boiled. In Java, they are roasted, shelled, then eaten with rice. They are said to taste like soy bean. The raw seeds are toxic and may cause intoxication. Studies show the cooked seed to be rich in oil and proteins and easily digested by both humans and livestock. -- Dr. Gurcharan Singh Associate Professor SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007 Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018. Phone: 011-25518297 Mob: 9810359089 http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/ On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 6:49 PM, promila chaturvedi <[email protected]> wrote: I thought that the seeds of Adenanthera pavonina were used by jewelers, which is known as ratti. Promila Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 18:36:27 +0530 Subject: Re: [efloraofindia:27472] Re: Kunch From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected] Yes it is commonly also called as 'ratti' and due to the same weight of all seeds it was used to measure the weight of the Gold. In the past the purity of the gold is also calculated on this basis ratti and masa. Thanks and regards. On 2/9/10, Pankaj Oudhia <[email protected]> wrote: I have observed that such stories are associated with many plants so that one can not plant it in home garden and surroundings. In this way the chance of accidental consumption of poisonous plants like Abrus can be avoided. In my state Gloriosa is known as Jhagadhin and it is believed that its presence in home garden results in family tension. As you know Gloriosa was once assocaited with LTTE as alternate source of poison in suicide capsules. Due to this belief the people in Chhattisgarh keep Gloriosa at bay. Unfortunately nothing has been associated with poisonous (exotic) Jatropha and as result due to Jatropha poisoning thousands of children are reaching to hospital. It has taken lives of five children in India. Pankaj Oudhia On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 9:48 AM, Pinki <[email protected]> wrote: there is some supersticious thing attached to these seeds also. that if seeds are kept at home or are thrown into someones house, a tiff/ fighting erupts in that house especially between husband and wife....this really doesnt happen...Can try this at home... Alok On Feb 8, 8:53 am, Neil Soares <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi, > Toxicology is part of the 2nd M.B.B.S.curriculum - 10 CRUSHED seeds are > lethal. > With regards, > Neil Soares. > > --- On Mon, 2/8/10, Pardeshi S. <[email protected]> wrote: > > From: Pardeshi S. <[email protected]> > Subject: [efloraofindia:27402] Re: Kunch > To: "efloraofindia" <[email protected]> > Date: Monday, February 8, 2010, 9:17 PM > > Yes the leaves are used as flavoring agent in Paan. however the seeds > are poisonous, i e. six seeds taken at a time can lead to death. > > Regards > Satish Pardeshi > > On Feb 8, 8:34 pm, shubhada nikharge <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > > > > > Dr. Pankajji, > > Although the seeds are poisonous, the leaves are edible. i have eaten them. > > they are very commonly used in 'paan' by the panwala, i believe. > > Marathi local name : गुंज > > Cheers, > > Shubhada > > > "I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can > > do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do." > > > ________________________________ > > From: Dr. Pankaj Kumar <[email protected]> > > To: efloraofindia <[email protected]> > > Sent: Mon, 8 February, 2010 8:41:18 PM > > Subject: [efloraofindia:27398] Re: Kunch > > > I assume the plant is poisonous. Even the seed coat, or colour is > > poisonous. First time ever I have heard that leaves are edible. Dont > > try this at home :).... > > Regards > > Pankaj > > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > "efloraofindia" group. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > [email protected]. > > For more options, visit this group > > athttp://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix?hl=en. > > > The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! 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