Leaves excessively variable, ⅓-2 in. long, sometimes quite obcordate, at others almost orbicular, at times narrow, linear, rather thick and coriaceous, glabrous, ciliate, hoary or pubescent, margins usually flat, opaque. Racemes axillary and extra-axillary, much shorter than the leaves, truncate, almost capitate. Bracts persistent, at least till the flower expands. Flower 1/5-¼ in. long. Wings longer than the sub-orbicular, notched, ciliate, narrowly winged, capsule green, falcate, obovate, acute ; margins membranous; crest of corolla very small. Seeds silky, strophiole with 3 short appendages.
Part used : — The root.
Use : — In Chutia Nagpur, the root is given medicinally in cases of fever and dizziness .(Campbell).
114. P. telephioides, Willd. h.f.b.i, i. 205.
Habitat : — Western Peninsula, Carnatic and Travancore,
An annual herb; stems very many from an annual woody root, prostrate, not exceeding 2-4 in. in height, pubes- cent. Leaves sessile, ½-¾ in., margins usually recurved, glabrous, often imbricate, very thick, obovate or oblong, obtuse or acute. Bracts caducous before flowering. Flowers 1/10 in. long, fascicled on very short, extra-axillary peduncles; outer sepals acute, wings herbaceous, oblique, acuminate. Capsule glabrous; not ciliate, 1/12 in. broad and long, deeply notched; valves margined. Seeds minute, silky, strophiole minutely 3-appendiculate.
Use : — Used in catarrhal affections by the natives of Madras. (Ph. Ind., p. 29.)
N. 0. FRANKENIACEÆ
115. Frankenia pulverulata, Linn, h.f.b.i, i. 212.
Vern. : — Khareeya (Sindh.)
Habitat : — On the Sea Coast of Sind; also on the salt plains of the Punjab, and probably also in Cutch.
