Ligusticum. pentandria digynia. 91 



1. L. Ajowan. R. Fleming in Asiat. Res. 11. 170. 



Annual, erect. Leaves supra-decompound, with liliform 

 leaflets. Ridges and furrows of the seed distinct, and 

 scabrous. 



Sans. Bruhmadurbha., Ywvanzka, &c. 



Hind. &) Beng. Ajouan^ Ajwan, or Jouan. 



This is one of the most useful and at the same time 

 grateful of the umbelliferous tribe. It is much cultivat- 

 ed in Bengal, during the cold season. I never saw it 

 wild. 



Root annual. Stem erect, the whole plant from one 

 to three feet high ; branches, alternate, smooth, and 

 slightly striated. Leaves sparse ; those nearest the base 

 of the plants supra-decompound; the superior, less so ; 

 all have smooth, filiform subdivisions, or leaflets. Uin- 

 hels terminal, erect, compound, universal, of from six to 

 eight rays, on rather unequal peduncles, partial, of many 

 rays, on unequal pedicels. Calyx ; involucres universal, 

 and partial, from five to eight, linear, unequal, shorter 

 than the umbels, and umbellets, permanent. Proper 

 perianth superior, most minute. Corol, universal uni- 

 form. Corollets pure white, all equal, hermaphrodite, 

 and fertile. Proper of five equal petals, furrowed on the 

 back, and keeled within, with involute apexes and broad 

 waved, rather reflected margins. Stamens as long as the 

 petals. Anthers reddish. Fruit didymous, or two seeds 

 united, of a compressed, broad, ovate form, with five 

 scabrous ridges on each side. 



I can scarcely imagine that this very famous Indian 

 plant is unknown to our European Botanists ; at the 

 same time I cannot find any one of the whole natural 

 order hitherto described to which I can refer it unless it 

 be Bunium, aromaticum. I do not find that it was known 

 to Dr Konig, nor did I ever see it but in Bengal, 



The seeds, like those of caraway, have an aromatic 

 smell, and warm pungent taste ; they are much used by 



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