Annual weeds, with basifixed hairs. Stems slender, densely cæspitose, trailing, ¼ft., densely clothed upwards, with ascending white hairs. Leaves distinctly petioled, 1-2½in. long; leaflets mostly close, densely clothed, with long white hairs on both sides. 13-15, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Stipules minute. Heads dense, sessile, 6-10-flowered. Calyx tubular ⅛-?? in., densely matted; teeth setaceous, shorter than the tube. Corolla pale yellow, little exserted. Pods ⅜in. long, turgid, linear oblong, densely pubescent, the cluster often spreading from the stem,- like the spokes of a wheel from the axis. Stigma glabrous; seed 10-12.
Use:—The seeds are used medicinally, on account of their demulcent properties.
364. A. hamosus, Linn, h.f.b.l, II. 122.
Vern.:—Taj-badshahi, katila, purtuk, parang (H.); Akhil-ul-malik (Pb.).
Habitat:—Plains of the Punjab at Lahore and Peshawar. Annual weeds, with basifixed hairs. Stem hairy, robust, 1-2ft. Leaves distinctly petioled, ¼-½ft. long; leaflets distinctly stalked, pale green ½-¾in. long, 13-25, oblong, emarginate, glabrescent above or thinly matted with silvery hairs on both sides. Heads 6-20-flowered; peduncles much shorter than the leaves, dense. Flowers small, yellow. Calyx ??in., matted with mixed black and white hairs, teeth subulate, as long as tube. Corolla half as long again as the Calyx. Pod ?? in. long, cylindrical quite glabrous, much recurved, nearly bilocular, 16-18-seeded. Stigmas glabrous.
Use:—It has emollient and demulcent properties, and is useful in the irritation of the mucous membranes. The pods are officinal.
Is laxative and used in nervous affections; made into a paste with vinegar it is employed externally in headaches. Is said to be lactagogue and to be used in catarrhal affections (Dr. Emerson.)
365. A. multiceps, Wall, h.f.b.l, ii. 134.
Vern.:—Kandiara, katarkanda, pisar, sarmul, kandei (Pb.) Tinain, diddani (Afg.).
