Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/399

̣̻ ̻N. O. EUPH0RBIACEÆ. 1149

N. O. EUPH0RBIACEÆ. 1149

also Garbha-kara, "productive of impregnation," and medicinal properties are attributed to them. The hard wrinkled nuts are generally worn only as a charm, but are sometimes given internally in colds on account of their supposed heating properties, (Pharmacogr. Ind. III. 271.)

The seeds yield a rather turbid oil of an olive-brown colour, which on standing deposits the more solid portion. It is used for burning. In 1905 the seeds were tested in the Indian Museum and found to give 28.86 per cent, of kernels and the kernels yielded to other 42*9 per cent, of a clear light-yellow oil.— (Hooper.)

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Syn. : — Stilago Bunias, Linn, Roxb. 713.

Vern. : — Ariya poriyam (Mal.) ; Āmati (M.).

Habitat : — Throughout the hotter parts of India, from the Nepal and Sikkiin Terai and Assam southward to Singapur and Ceylon. (J.D.Hooker.) Western Ghats from the Konkan forward. (Gamble.)

A small, evergreen tree. Bark greyish-brown. Wood red, hard ; young parts pubescent. Leaves very variable, rather large, 4-6in. by 1¼-2½in., lanceolate or obovate-lanceolate, tapering at base, slightly acuminate, apiculate, glabrous, shining. Petiole short, stout ; stipule acicular, hairy, quickly deciduous. Flowers numerous, lax, reddish; spikes solitary, l-3in. stalked, terminating branchlets. Male flowers sometimes branched at base, sessile ; female flowers slightly stalked. Male calyx tomentose ; segments 3, shallow, rounded ; disk lobed, glabrous ; stamens 3, exserted ; pistillode, short, truncate. Female flower: — Ovary glabrous ; stigmas 3, large, short, dilated, spreading. Fruit ⅓in., globose, ovoid, stalked, smooth, very juicy, black when ripe, previously red. The fruit is acidulous and pleasant to taste. (Trimen.)

Uses :- -The acid leaves are used in snake-bites, and, when young, are boiled and used in syphilitic cachexia. (Lindleyi)

Vern. : — Noli-tali-marum (Tam.).

Habitat : — Southern Deccan Peninsula.