N. 0. LYTHRACE^S. 563 



Vern. :— Dhai, Dhaula, Santha (H.) ; Dhaiphul (B.) ; Dhenti 

 (Ondh) ; Dahiri (Nepal) ; Jatiko (Uriya) ; Dhaiti, Dhamati, 

 Dhaoshi (Bomb.) ; Serinji (Tel.); Phulsatti (Mar.); Dhavadina 

 (Guz.). 



Habitat :— Common throughout India. 



A large shrub, with many long, spreading branches. Stem 

 more or less fluted, often with 1 or 2 concentric bands of cortical 

 tissue inside the wood. Bark smooth, peeling off in thin scales ; 

 young shoots and leaves with numerous black glands. Leaves op- 

 posite or sub-opposite, sometimes in whorls of 3, distichous, sub- 

 sessile, 2-4 by 1. 3in., lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, usually acu- 

 minate, rounded or cordate at the base, entire, pale and gene- 

 rally grey pubescent beneath; lateral nerves 6-12 pairs, prom- 

 inent beneath and joined by intramarginal veins. Flowers 

 in short panicled, axillary cymes, rarely solitary. Calyx 4-6in. 

 long, tubular, bright-red, curved oblique at the mouth ; teeth 

 6, short, with as many minute accessory lobes outside, Petals 

 6, white, acute, inserted in the sinuses of the Calyx-tube and 

 scarcely exceeding the Calyx-teeth. Stamens 12, much exserted, 

 decimate, inserted near the base of the Calyx ; filaments red ; 

 anthers versatile. Ovary 2-celled, ovules many on axile 

 placentas. (The stamens and styles are of varying lengths, 

 the flowers thus becoming dimorphic or trimorphic.) Capsule 

 ellipsoid, included in the persistent Calyx-tube; seeds many, 

 brown, smooth. (Kanjilal). 



Parts used : — The flowers and leaves. 



Uses : — In Hindoo medicine the dried flowers are regarded 

 as stimulant and astringent, and are much used in bowel com- 

 plaints and haemorrhages. Two drams of the dried flowers 

 are given with curdled milk in dysentery, and with honey in 

 menorrhagia. The powdered flowers are sprinkled over ulcers 

 for diminishing their discharge and promoting granulation 

 (U. C. Dutt). 



" The dried flowers are astringent tonic in disorders of the 

 mucous membrances, haemorrhoids and in derangements of the 

 liver, also considered a safe stimulant in pregnancy. The 

 leaves are also officinal " (Mukerji). 



