N. o. ficoide^;. 617 



ridged on the back" (Clarke). Embryo curled, through less 

 than a semicircle. 



Uses : — Thwaites states that the plant is used as a medicine 

 in fevers. Dr. Peters in a special note informs us that it has 

 the reputation of promoting the flow of the lochial discharge 

 (Watt). 



565. Gisekia phranaceoides, Linn. H.F.B.I., IJ. 

 664. 



Vern. :— Manall kire, nummuelli kirai (Tarn.); Esukadanti 

 kura, Isakadasari kura (Tel.). 



IIabitat:~The Punjab, U. P., Sind and South Deccan 

 Peninsula. 



Diffuse branched, succulent, glabrous, herbs. Stems 8-1 8in. 

 Leaves opposite or falsely whorled, fleshy, spathulate, abounding 

 in raphides, -f-lj-in., oblong or elliptic, entire, narrowed at the 

 base. Stipules absent. Petiole absent or -§-in., cymes axillary, 

 dense. Flowers sessile and pedicelled, hermaphrodite or 

 polygamous, small, greenish or purplish. Sepals 5, nearly free, 

 ovate, herbaceous, with membranous margins, j-gin. Petals 

 absent. Stamens 5, hypogynous ; filaments dilated below. 

 Carpels usually 5, distinct, covered with papillee ; each carpel as 

 heavy as the sepals in fruit, ends in a short simple style and 

 contains one basal ovule. Seeds blackish, smooth, minutely 

 glandular-punctate. Embryo curved, less than a semicircle. 



Use : — The plant has been found to act as a powerful 

 anthelmintic in cases of taenia. The discoverer, Capt. W. H. 

 Lowther (Journ. Agri-Hort. Soc. of India, 1857), directs that 

 the fresh plant, including the leaves, stalks and capsules, be 

 administered in doses of about an ounce ground into a powder 

 and given in the form of a draught with water. The dose is 

 recommended to be repeated three times, at intervals of four 

 days (Ph. Ind.). 



78 



