Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/383
An erect annual, dichotomously branched above. Stem often very stout and copiously umbellately branched above," with divaricate branches. Leaves 2in. long and under, membranous, alternate, shortly petioled, obovateor spathulate, serrulate ; floral large, similar ; involucral, orbicular or oblong, 2-4, small. Involucre 1/10in. diam., glabrous ; lobes, turbinate, small, oblong ; glands reniform, fimbriate. Capsule smooth, globose, ⅛in. diam. ; cocci round at back. Seeds deeply reticulated, pitted, turgidly oblong or sub-globose.
Uses: — The milky juice is applied to eruptions, and the seeds are given with roasted pepper in cholera (Honnigberger). The juice is also used in the form of a liniment in neuralgia and rheumatism, and the root is employed as an anthelmintic (Murray). It is used as a hydragogue cathartic, and the juice is applied to remove warts. Dr. Bandry has reported a case of severe ulceration resulting from the application of a poultice of the bruised plant. (Dymock.)
1123. E. dracunculoides, Lamk., h.f.b.i., v. 262 ; Roxb. 390.
Vern : — Richni, sudáb (the fruit), Kangi (the plant) (Pb.) ; Jy-chee, Chhagul-puputi (B.) ; Parwa (Santal) ; Tilla kâda (Tel.).
Habitat : —From the Punjab to Behar in the plains and low hills, and southward to Canara and Coromandel.
An annual. Stems erect, many from the root leafy, 12-18in. high, often extensively branched dichotomously ; branches divaricate. Leaves sessile, linear-lanceolate, sub-acute, rarely rounded, or sub-cordate, l-l½in. long, involucral, shorter 2, broader at the base. Involucres solitary, hairy within, turbinate ; lobes ovate, ciliolate ; glands semi-lunate ; styles short, free. Capsule smooth, ⅛-1/6in. diam., hardly depressed. Seeds oblong with a white tuberculate testa.
Use: — The fruit is officinal and used to remove warts (Watt).
The seeds yield a limpid, clear, yellowish or greenish-yellow oil, used as a drying oil and for burning. In 1843 it was pronounced in London to be as valuable as linseed oil. It is only used locally. (Agric. Ledg., 1911-12, No. 5.)