 Diczra] AMARANTACE, 1 
capsule, membranous or sometimes corky or coriaceous. Seeds 
‘2 or more, erect, lenticular ; testa crustaceous, black and often 
shining ; embryo annular, surrounding the floury albumen; coty- 
ledons linear, radicle descending or ascending. Species about 35, 
in Trop. Asia, Africa and America. 
C, argentea, Linn. Sp. Pl. 205; Roxb. Fl. Ind. i, 678; Royle 
Ill. 320; F. B. I. iv, 714; Watt. E. D. ; Collett Fl. Siml. 412 ; 
Prain Beng. Pl. 867 ; Cooke Fl. Bomb. ii, 485. C. margaritacea, 
Linn. ; Don Prod. 76.—Vern. Safed murga-ka-phul. 
An erect glabrous annual, 1-3 {t. high. Stem stout or slender, simple 
or branching. Leaves 1-4 in. long, linear or narrowly lanceolate, 
rarely ovate, tapering into a short petiole or sessile. Flowers pink 
when young, becoming white and glistening, closely imbricate and 
forming blunt or accuminate cylindric terminal spikes 1-6 in. long 
and sometimes branching at the apex; bracteoles shorter than the 
perianth, linear-lanceolate. Perianth 4 in. or more; segments 
linear-lanceolate, acute. Capsule }-4 in. long, elipsoid. Seeds 4-8, 
compressed, subreniform, } in. in diam. 
Abundant within the area, especially on cultivated ground. Flowers 
during the end of rainy season. DusrriB.: Throughout India, culti- 
vated or as an escape, ascending to 5,000 ft. on the Himalaya ; also 
in Ceylon, and as an introduction in most tropical countries. Its 
native country is not known for certain. The plant is used as a 
pot-herb in times of scarcity and the seeds are employed medicinally. 
C. cristata, Linn. ; Roxb. Fl. Ind. i, 679; Don Prod. 76; 
Royle Ill. 320 ; F. B. I. iv, 715 ; Watt FE. D.; Prain Beng. Pl. 867; 
Cooke Fl. Bomb. ii, 486. C. cernua, Roxb. 1. ¢. 680. Vern. Murgha- 
ka-phul (Cockscomb). 
Closely allied to the proceeding, but usu lly a taller plant and with 
broader leayes and much smaller flowers. It is cultivated in gardens 
as an ornamental plant throughout India and up to 5,000 ft. on the 
Himalaya. It has pink crimsonor yellow flowers borne on the usually 
fasciated and crest-like divisions of the spikes. It is often found as 
an escape, but never truly wild. 
3. DIGERA, Forsk.; Fl. Brit. Ind. iv, 717. 
An annual herb; branches angular. Leaves alternate, entire, 
petioled. Flowers in axillary peduncled spikes, ternate, the 2 
