N. o. ficoide^e. 615 



Habitat : — Common throughout India. 



An annual herb, stellate]y woolly, sometimes less hairy, 

 rarely glabrous. Stem prostrate, much branched, leafy. Leaves 

 i-lin., opposite or whorled, usually obovate, but vary from 

 round to narrow-lanceolate; petiole O-fin. Flowers usually 

 sessile or nearly so ; pedicels sometimes fin. Sepals i-£in., 

 elliptic or oblong, acute. Staminodes linear or 0. Stamens 

 usually 10 or more, or even 5. Styles 3-5, linear, short. Capsule 

 a little shorter than sepals, oblong. Seeds many, covered with 

 raised tubercular points, the appendage sometimes carrying mere 

 than one bristle. This is a very variable weed in tanks, marshes 

 and rice-fields (K. R. K.). 



Uses : — In the Punjab, given as a purgative in diseases of the 

 abdomen (Stewart). 



The dried plant is prescribed by native practitioners in 

 Sindh for diarrhoea (Murray). 



In Puddokota, the juice is administered internally to weak 

 children (Pharmacographia Indica, vol. II., p. 104). 



562. M, Spergula, Linn., h.f.b.i., ii. 662. 



Sans. : — Grishma-Sundaraka, Phani-ja. 



Vera. : — Jima (H. B.) ; Toora-elley, Kacchantharai (Tarn.) ; 

 Chayuntarashiakoo (Tel); Jharasi (Mar.); Kaipajira (Mai.); 

 Parpataka (Can.). 



Habitat : — Throughout India, except U.P., Panjab or Sindh. 



Branched herbs, glabrous or nearly so. Stems diffuse, 

 leafy. Leaves i-lin., usually whorled, spathulate, lanceolate, 

 or elliptic. Petiole 0-^-in. Pedicels i-Jin., oblong, margins 

 often membranous. Stamens 5-10, stigmas 3, minute. Capsule 

 ellipsoid, a little shorter than the sepals. Seeds many, covered 

 with raised tubercular points, the appendage sometimes 

 comprises a second, yet more minute, short subulate bristle. 



Uses : — Considered stomachic, aperient and antiseptic. Ainslie 

 {ii., 431), writes that the plant is administered for suppression 

 of the lochia, and when applied warm and moistened with a 

 little castor oil, is reckoned a good application for earache. 



