584 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



sometimes contorted, 1-3 at times, 4ft. long by 1-1 Jin. broad. 



Seeds corrugate, numerous. 



" Except in the fruit this agrees altogether with T. cucumerinu, of which 

 it is probably a cultivated form " (C.B.Clarke). 



Use : — The seeds are considered a cooling medicine (T. N. 



Mukerji). 



530. Lagenaria vulgaris, Seringe, h.f.b.l, ii. 

 613. 



Syn. : — Cucurbita lagenaria, Linn, Roxb. 700. 



Sans. : — Alabu ; Katutumbi (bitter variety). 



Vera. ; — Kaddu, Lauki (HO ; Harrea Kaddu (Dec). Lau (B.) ; 

 Shora-kai (Tain.) ; Bella-sehora (Mai.); Sora-kaya ; Anapa-kai 

 (Tel.) ; Hunea-kuddoo (Dec). 



The bitter variety known as : — Karwi-tumbi (H.) ; Tikta- 

 lau (B.j ; Kadwa-bkopla (Bomb.) ; Kadu-bhopali ; Dudha- 

 bhopala (Mar.). 



Habitat: — Cultivated throughout India. 



A large, pubescent, climbing annual. Tendrils 2-fid. — Leaves 

 often Gin. diam., softly pubescent on both surfaces, more or 

 less 5-angular or 5-lobed, ovate or orbicular, cordtate, dentate. 

 Petioles long, with 2 glands at its apex. Flowers large, white, 

 solitary, monoecious or diocious. Male peduncle often 6in. 

 Female peduncle lin. Calyx-tube funnel-shaped, sub campanu- 

 late, teeth 5, narrow, Jin., pubescent. Petals l-2in., 5, ovate; 

 stamens 3, anthers ccnnate, included, one 1-eelled, two 2- 

 celled, cells conduplicate, rudiment of ovary 0. Female Calyx 

 and Corolla as in the male. Ovary oblong, style short, with 3 

 bifid stigmatic lobes. Ovules many, horizontal. Fruit often 

 l|ft. or more, usually bottle or dumb-bell shaped, thick 

 membranous, almost woody when old, indehiscent. Seeds 

 f by f and Jin., with an impressed groove parallel to and near 

 the margin. 



Uses : — The seeds of this plant yield an oil which is used as 

 an application for headache. The flesh of the fruit is con- 

 sidered diuretic, refrigerant and antibilious. It is also some- 

 times made into a poultice ; when fresh, it is bitter and purgative, 



