904 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.
fine, nearly stellate, pubescence. Branches round. Leaves 2-4in., 3-5, says Brandis, subacute, ovate, suddenly tapering at base, entire, shining and apparently glabrous, but really with minute stellate or scaly hair, rather thick, veins pellucid. Petiole l-ljin. long. Flowers hermaphrodite, rather small or short, pubescent, pedicels usually about 5in., in umbellate cymes. Pedicels 0-Jin. Calyx campanulate ; in flower ^in. ; in fruit fin., stellate pubescent, segments linear triangular, recurved at apex. Corolla J-fin. long, greenish or lurid yellow, lobes lanceolate, erect, but recurved in upper part, pubescent outside. Stamens 5, inserted on Corolla-tube ; filaments linear, anthers level with the stigma. Ovary glabrous; style as the stamens, Fruit- Calyx inflated, papery, over £in., globose, slightly 5-angled. Fruit i-Jin, diam. Seeds Jin. diam., smooth, compressed.
In the "Materia Medica of Western India" an opinion is expressed that the commercial article cannot be the root of W, somnifera. This opinion was founded upon a comparison of the drug with the root of that plaint as found in the salt marshes near Bombay, where it acquires a twisted, woody, form, entirely different to the tapering, starchy root which it has when growing in sweet soil. Young roots obtained from Satara exactly corres- ponded with the drug of commerce. Another point of difference is the red colour of the inner bark in the Bombay roots, which was not observed in those from the Deccan. The foliage, flowers and fruit of both plants appear to be identical. (Pharmacographia Indica, II. 568.)
Uses : — The root is regarded as tonic, alterative, and aphro- disiac, and is used in consumption, emaciation of children, debi- lity from old age, rheumatism, &c. (Dutt). It has also narcotic and diuretic properties. The root sold in the bazars of South India resembles Gentian root in external appearance. The ground root and bruised leaves are employed as a local applica- tion to carbuncles, ulcers, and painful swellings (Pharm. Ind.). The root is also said to have deobstruent properties. The leaves are very bitter, and are given in infusion in fevers. The fruit is diuretic. The Telinga physicians suppose the roots to be alexipharmic (Roxburgh!.
" The authors of the Bombay Flora say that the seeds are employed to coagulate milk like those of W. coagulans. We have tried the experiment and find them to have some coagulat- ing power,
