Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/549

ether, a minute trace of a white greasy residue was left, possessing an aromatic odour— applied to the skin, no irritation was induced. We are indebted to Assistant Surgeon C. L. Bose for the above analysis, which was conducted in the Chemical Examiner's Laboratory, Calcutta (Pharmacographia Indica, III, 477-478.)

Vern. :— Suphadie-khus (B.); Bhui-kándá, pahádi-kándá (H.); Nanj jangli kando, laháná rán-kándá (Bomb.) ; Shirunari-vengayam (Tam.).

Habitat : — The Deccan Peninsula and Central India, from the Concan and Nagpur southwards, especially near the sea.

A scapigerous, annual herb, with a tunicate bulb. Bulb ovoid or globose, 1-1½in. diam. Leaves few or many, spreading and often rooting at the tips, 3-6in. by ½in., variable from oblong to lanceolate or oblanceolate, sub-acute, narrowed into a sheathing petiole, rather fleshy, waved, obtusely keeled, dull, green above, and often blotched with black, pale and glaucous beneath. Scape 2-6in., rather stout ; raceme cylindric, 30-50-fid; bracts minute. Pedicels 1/6-½in., decurved. Flowers purplish or greenish-white, pendulous or cerunous. Perianth segments 1/6in. long, linear, acute ; filaments as long as the perianth segments ; anthers small, shortly oblong. Ovary stipitate. Capsule 3-lobed, 1/6in. long and broad, membranous ; cells 1-2- seeded. Seeds cuneiform or clavate.

Uses : — Moodeen Sheriff describes the bulbs as more powerful than those of Urginea Indica, quite equal to the officinal drug of the British Pharmacopoeia. He says they are particularly efficient if gathered soon after they have flowered, a fact which may have something to do with O'Shaugnessy's low estimate of their powers, since he remarks that the bulbs he made use of "had not flowered that season." The dose is from 1 to 4 grains.

Vern. : — Giotra (Jaunsar).

Habitat: — Temperate Himalaya, from Garhwal to Sikkim ; Khasia Hills.