1. Dioscobea.] 89. THOSCOBEACEM. 



a tesseJated or loDgitndinally cracked corky surface, 

 attaining 3" by 1 -2". Not wild in Chota Nagpur. 



The generally cultivated variety in Singbhum tvar, rubella, Pram, 

 " Bengal Plants "» has largely irregularly clavate tubers ending in a 

 narrow neck at the stem, white within and pinkish outside. 



" 7. D» bulbifera, L. Pisika, K. ; Bengo nari, S. 



Stems smooth from a large brown sub-globose rhizome 

 covered with roots and eyes, and not bearing tubers. L. alt. 

 sub-orbicular or broadly ovate abruptly caudate and deeply 

 cordate. M. fls. green or purple in numerous lonsf very 

 slender axillary and panicled spikes. Young buds ovoid. 

 Sepals linear and pet. similar. F. spikes slender drooping 

 Beveialfrom each axil, sepals linear. Capsules oblong f* 

 by \" reflexed. Seeds with an oblong wing above. 



A common plant, throughout Chota Nagpur. Fls. Aug. Fr. Nov. 



Bulbils are roundish brown with prominent eyes, exactly lihe the 

 rhizomes on a small scale. L. with 7-11 costaB glabrous with very distinct 

 straight cross nervules. Petioles shorter than the leaves. St. not jth as 

 long as the petals. Bract and bracteole acuminate. 



The rhizomes are said to be very acrid but sometimes eaten after muoh 

 preparation. 



Var. crispata, Train {Roxb., sp.). Stem with 10-15 small crispate 

 wings. Chota Nagpur, Train, 



8. D. daemona, Roxb. Kolo, 8. 



Stems with few small prickles on the stems from roundish 

 rhizomes. L. 3-foliolate, leaflets about 1\" by 3|\ 5-6- 

 costate, central more or less obovate. M. fl. in very dense 

 short oblong spikes J-J* long, in long narrow axillary 

 pubescent panicles 6-8" long. F. spikes simple 8-12" long 

 pubescent. Capsule large obloog If -If" long. 



Manbhum, Camp. Santal Pa:ganahs. Fls. July. Fr. Sept, 



M. spikes on peduncles £-V long. Bracts sub-orbioular as long aa 



the flower, pubescent. Bracteole and petals exceeding the siib orbicular 



pubescent sepals. 8t. 6 fertile. 



According to Roxburgh the root is dreadfully nauseous even after 

 boiling. 



633 



