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INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.


interposed between the distant male and female infloresence respectively; no appendage. Anthers crowded, very short, pores confluent. Ovaries scattered, globose, narrowed into a short style. Stigma large, 2-3 lobed. (J. D. Hooker).

Uses : — " The country people in Goa use the crushed seed to cure toothache ; a small quantity is placed in the hollow tooth and covered with cotton ; it rapidly benumbs the nerve ; they also use it as an external application to bruises on account of its benumbing effect." (Dymock).


1316. Remusatia vivipara, Schott. h.f.b.l, vi. 521.

Syn. : — Arum viviparum, Roxb. 625

Vern. : — Maravara Isjembu (Mal.) ; Rukh-alu (Mar.).

Habitat: — Subtropical Himalaya. The Khasia Hills. Behar, on Parasnath. The Western Ghats.

Tubers l-l½in. in diam., clustered, depressed, rooting from the crown ; bulbilliferous shoots 6-12in. long, as thick as a goose quill, simple or shortly branched, ascending, flexuous, bearing at the nodes clusters of oblong, squarrosely scaly bulbils 1/40-¼in. long. Leaves peltate, 5 by 3½ to 18 by 12in., membranous, orbicular-ovate or cordate, acute or acuminate, with strong main nerves and fine venation between them ; petiole 6-12in. long, with a short sheath. Spathe 4-5in. long, coriaceous ; tube l-2in. long, oblong or oviod, green ; limb 2-3in. long, broadly orbicular-ovate or ovate-cordate, 2-3in. broad, golden-yellow. Spadix 1-1½in. long ; the male inflorescence ½in. long. The plant rarely flowers, but sends up long bulbilliferous shoots from the crown of the tuber.

Uses:— The root is made into an ointment with turmeric and used as a remedy for itch ; and the juice with cow's urine is considered to be alexipharmic, (Rheede.)


1317. Aolocasia Antiquoram, Sckott, h.f.b.l, vi. 523.

Syn. ; — Arum Colocasia, Willd. Roxb. 624.

Sans. : — Kachchî, katchû, kachwî, kachwæ .