89. BIO SCORE ACEM. [ 1. Dioscobba. 



Stem with numerous small prickles below, enlarged at 

 the base into a perennial rhizome from which proceed long 

 fibro-fleshy roots 2-more ft. long which enlarge into elongate 

 fleshy tubers 5-12" by 1-2". L. opp., very rarely also alt., 

 glabrous pale-glaucous beneath, usually ovate oblong, the base 

 of the uppermost leaves often straight or rounded. M. spikes 

 £-f" long, on axillary rachides 1-3J" long and finally whorled 

 direct on the main axis in terminal more or less leafless pani- 

 cles. Buds oblong. Base of the perianth tube very broad and 

 pulvinate on the upper side. Sep. oblong, united below. Pet. 

 fleshy obovate-spathulate. Capsule §-|* long by 1-1 )■' broad, 

 base with a short obconic beak. 



Singbhum, in the valley forests, esp. common on the Porahat plateau, 

 Hazaribagh (Koderma forest, etc.) ; Manbhum, Camp. ; Jaspur and 

 Kochang, Wood. Probably throughout the area. Fls. Sept. Ft. Nov. The 

 plant in flower has a strong rather unpleasant smell perceptible to a 

 considerable distance. 



Bulbils 0. L. very variable, exceptionally sub-orbicular 7" by 6", or 

 narrow very long 8£ 7 by 3^", usually cuspidate, with base of lower leaves 

 deeply cordate and 5-9-nerved, the sec. n. not scalariform between the 

 costaB. Petiole slender, from half as long to as long as the blade. St. at 

 the base of the perianth minute, less than one-third as long as the petals. 

 F. spikes 3"-l ft., several from each upper axil. Pistillodo very minute. 

 Bracteole much shorter than the acuminate bract. Seeds winged all 

 round. 



The tubers are largely eaten. 



There are two forms, one with lax small flowers, the other with Very 

 dense larger flowers. 



3. J), bolophylla, Voight. Duri sanga, Hasa sanga, K. ; 

 Mutur Sang, S. Included in D. glabra in F.B.I, from which 

 it is, however, quite distinct, and easily recognized. 



Stems quite smooth, enlarged at the base into a small 

 rhizome bearing tubers at the ends of long fleshy fibres as 

 in the last, the tubers sometimes 2 ft. long and very deep. 

 L. opp. and alternate sap-green and dull above, glaucous 

 beneath, usually ovate-and deeply cordate with well-marked 

 cross nervnles between the cost® beneath. M. spikes f-2* 

 long lax-fid., 1-3-nate sometimes branched, on rachis 4-6* 

 long, and running into leafless slender panicles. Base of 



530 



