646 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



It is given, too, in jaundice and supposed diseases of the liver 

 (Watt). 



It is also anthelmintic (Surgeon-Major Mukerji, in Watt's 

 Dictionary). 



597. 0. umhellata, Linn, h.f.b.l, hi. 66 ; Roxb. 

 141. 



Vern. : — Chirval ; Chirval-ki-lakri (H. and Dec.) ; Surbuli (B ); 

 Cherivello ; Chiru veru (Tel ) ; Sayawer ; Imbural (Tarn.) ; Kal- 

 penyok (Lepcha). 



Habitat : — Western Peninsula, from Orissa southwards. 

 Found in the sandy scrub of the Coromandel Coast and 

 largely collected (Gamble). 



An annual herb, diffuse, glabrous or scaberulous. Stem 

 woody, much-branched from the base. Stipules with bristles 

 Leaves £-liin., spreading or recurved, often fascicled, linear, 

 flat or almost acicular with recurved margins, acute, nerveless. 

 Peduncles in the upper axils stout, 3-many-flowered ; pedicels 

 short. Cymes sometimes sessile or terminal. Calyx-teeth a 

 little shorter than the Corolla-tube, subulate. Capsule didy- 

 mous, crown low. Seeds numerous, angled, testa smooth. 



Uses: — The small, narrow, pale green leaves of this low- 

 growing plant, the native doctors consider as expectorant, and 

 prescribe them accordingly. Of the virtues of the root in 

 poisonous bites, colds and cutaneous disorders, as mentioned in 

 Millers Dictionary, I know nothing. When dried and powdered, 

 the leaves are sometimes mixed with flour and made into cakes, 

 which are eaten by such as suffer from consumptive and asthmatic 

 affections. The dose of the decoction of the leaves is about an 

 ounce twice daily (Anislie). 



598. Ophiorrhiza Mungos, Linn, h.f.b.l, hi. 77 ; 

 Roxb. 235. 



Sans. : — Sarpakshi. 



Vern. : — Kiri-purandan (Tarn.) ; Sarpashi-chettu (Tel.) ; 

 Sarathi (H.) ; Gandha nakuli (B.). 



