134 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



short style bearing 3 lobules at its apex. Fruit globose, 6-8 

 centimeters in diameter, smooth, greenish, later yellow with 

 white spots ; it is full of a whitish pulp that becomes dry and 

 pithy and that contains the obovate seeds, smooth, flattened, 

 brown, lacking albumen. 

 HABITAT. Manila. 



FICOIDEJE. 



Trianthema monogyna, L. (T. obcordata, Roxb. ; Portulaca 

 toston and axiflora, Blanco.) 



NOM. VULG. Toston, Tag. ; Alusiman, Ayam, Vis. 



USES. This plant is edible, the natives eating it boiled, fried 

 or in salad. The root is cathartic and is used powdered. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A plant with prostrate stems, 

 radiating branches. Leaves ensheathing the stem, opposite, 

 oval, red-bordered, glabrous. Petioles with 2 stipules at the 

 base and 2 small teeth near the middle. Flowers axillary, soli- 

 tary, sessile. Calyx, 2 pointed sepals. Corolla, 5 oval petals. 

 Stamens 15-20. Style simple. Seed vessels inversely pyram- 

 idal, dehipccnce horizontal. Seeds numerous. 



HABITAT. Very common in the rice fields. Blooms in 

 January. 



UMBELLIFER.E. 



Parsley Family. 

 Hydrocotyle Asiatica, L. 



NOM. YULG. Takip kohol, Takip suso, Tag. ; Rabasa, Sp. ; 

 Indian Pennywort, Indo-Eng. 



USES. Dr. Daruty, of Mauritius, has published a study of 

 this plant, giving a resume of its composition, therapeutic uses 

 and physiological action. The writers of antiquity recognized 

 the plant as a powerful alterative, tonic, diuretic, stimulant and 

 vermifuge, especially effective in secondary syphilis and in 

 ulcerative diseases of the skin. 



