N. 0. MALVAOEiE. 173 



usually with beaks, as long as themselves. Flowers yellow, be- 

 coming white when fading. 



The stems afford a good fibre. 



A very common weed in Ceylon in the dry country. 



Use : -The root is held in great, repute by natives in 

 the treatment of rheumatism (Ph. Ind.). The stems abound 

 in mucilage, and are employed as demulcents and emollients 

 both for external and internal use. 



153. S. rhombifolia, Var. rhomboidea, Roxb, 

 H.F.B.I, i. 324, Roxb. 517. 



Syn : — S. orientalis, Cav. Diss I ; t. 12. 

 Sans.: — Mahabala. 



Vera.: — Swetberela (B.) ; kSufed-bariyala (H.) ; Athiballa- 

 chettn (Tam.) 



Leaves rhomboid, hoary beneath ; peduncles jointed at 

 the base ; carpelhiry awns very short inflected. The flowers 

 expand at noon (Roxb.) 



Use : — Medicinal properties resemble those of other spe- 

 cies (Watt.) 



154. S. eordifolia, Linn, it.f.b.i., i. 324. 

 Roxb. 517. 



Sans. : — Batyalaka ; Bala. 



Vern. : — Kungyee, kharati, bariar (H.) ; Barila, bala (B.) ; 

 Chikna (Mar.); Kharenti (Pb.) ; Bariara (Sind.) ; Muttava, 

 kobirsir bhaji (Konkan); chiribena, tettagorra chettu, t el 1 a antisa, 

 (Tel). 



The seeds. Beejbund (H.) ; Hamaz, chukai (Pb.). 



Annual or perennial, downy, erect. Leaves 1J-2 by 1-1£ in., 

 cordate- oblong obtuse crenate, very downy on both surfaces, 

 petiole as large as the leaf. Stipules linear, half the length of 

 the petiole. Peduncles jointed near the flower, lower distant, 

 longer than the petioles, upper crowded, very short. Flowers 

 rather small. Carpels furrowed at the back, sides reticulated, 



