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INDIAN. MEDICINAL PLANTS.


long, deltoid in outline ; segments oblong or cuneiform, obtusely lobed or cut, with a mucro at the apex of each ultimate division, translucent, succulent : petioles dilated towards their sheating bases, the margins membranous. Heads ¼ in diam., enlarging in fruit. Invol-bracts equalling the achenes, oblong or elliptic, obtuse, strongly nerved and with rather broad membranous margins. Achenes 1/10 in. long, cuneate oblong, obcompresed, grooved, the margins very thick (Duthie).

Flowers in the cold season. Roxburgh names the plant C. Indicum after Willdenow. The purple chrysanthemum plate was published under No. 327 by Curtism in Feb. 1796, as the Chrysanthemun Indicum of Linnæus ; subsequently, in Feb. 1810, Curtis published a plate Chrysanthemum indicum, B, changeable white Indian Chrysanthemum under name of Willdenow. with a huge bunch of rosy flowers in the central part of the flower-bead. The writer in the letter-press has the following observations : — " Willdenow has supposed that the chrysanthemum of Linnaeus is not the same species with our plant, but we see no reason to disbelieve that they are distinct." It must not be forgotten that some colours are liable to be modified from change of soil, situation, climate or season.— K. R. K.

Use : — This plant is considered by the natives heating and aperient, useful in affections of brain and calculus, and to remove depression of spirits (Punjab Products). The natives of the Deccan, administer the plant in conjunction with black pepper, in gonorrhœa (Drury).

658. C. coronarium, Linn, h.f.b.i., iii. 314.

Syn : — C. Roxburghii, Desf.; Pyretheum indicum, Roxb. 604.

Sans. :~— Shevantikâ.

Vern. : — Gul-chîni (H. and Dec.) ; Gul-dâudi (B.); Shamantippu (Tam.; ; Châmanti (Tel.) ; Seoti (Bomb.)

The garden Daisy.

Habitat :— Cultivated in the Indian gardens.

Annual herb. Stems branched, 3-4ft. high. Leaves alternate, deeply lobed in a bipinnate manner. Flower-heads numerous,