95. ARACEJB. [4. Colocasia. 



£. Scindapsus, Schott. 

 1. S. officinalis, Schott, Dhare jhapak', S. 



A stout epiphyte climbing by means of rootlets, with 

 almost woody stems when old and large leaves with dilated 

 petiolar sheaths. Spathe green, ultimately yellow within, 

 terminating in a long acumen, deciduous. Spadix stout 

 nearly as long, elongating to 6-9" in fruit, with densely 

 packed prismatic truncate ovaries grooved below, the short 

 4-celled anthers in the grooves. 



In the damper valleys of Singbhum ; Manbhum, Camp. Probably in 

 all districts. Fls. Jvne-July. Deciduous in the hot weather. 



L 8-10" by 5-6" broadly elliptio acuminate with rounded or cordate 

 base. Sheath 6-7" by 1" or more, suddenly contracted into the very 

 short petiole. Peduncle shorter than the sheath. The tissue's of the 

 spathe and ovary are crowded with raphides. 

 The fruit is applied fcr rheumatism, Camp. 



3. Remusatia, Schott. 

 1. R. vivipara, Schott 



A herb with the habit of a Caladium with a bulb |-l v 

 diam., smooth peltate shining leaves and a spathe 4-5* 

 long. Eemarkable for its long shoots bearing clusters of 

 bulbils with awned hooded scales. 



On damp banks and among rocks. Singbhum, esp. on the Porahat 

 plateau. Eanchi- It is said to flower and leat in alternate years. 



BulMferous shoots of ten 12'' long. The leaves which much resemble 

 those of a Colocasia may be distinguished by being polished below as 

 well as above, the nervules not clearly denned and the tip acuminate, they 

 attain 12" by 10'' but are usually smaller. Limb of spatKe 2-3" golden- 

 yellow. 



4. Colocasia, L. 



1. C. Antiquorum, Schott, Pichigi, Bir saru, K., S. ; 

 Kalhhu, H. 



A stout or small herb with the habit of a Caladium with 

 or without a distinct tuberous rhizome, smooth peltate ovate 



551 



