Context: Japan is importing bark of the Argeli shrub from Nepal, to be used in making of its currency note yen.
Argeli Plant
- Botanical name - Edgeworthia gardneri
Characteristics:
- It is an evergreen, yellow-flowering shrub found wild in the Himalayas.
- It grows up to 3–4 metres (10–13 ft) tall.
- It can be distinguished by its brownish red stem.
- The flowers are hermaphrodites (they have both male and female organs).
Distribution
Open slopes and forests ( elevation - 1500-3000m), central and eastern Nepal, Bhutan, North East India, N Myanmar, Western China.
Uses:
- The inner bark is used for paper making.
- Traditionally bark is used for making ropes in villages.
- Farmers grew it for fencing or firewood.