N. 0. ASCLEPIADE^. 807 



Uses : — The root is considered to possess alterative tonic pro- 

 perties, and has been employed as a substitute for Sarsaparilla 

 (Ph. Ind.) The stalks and leaves are used in the form of decoc- 

 tion in fevers (Watt). 



The roots are somewhat similar in appearance to those of Hemidesmus, but 

 have not the same coumarin odour. The bark is of a dark brown colour, and 

 adheres closely to the wood, which is much harder, and differs in structure 

 from that of Hemidesmus in having a large central pith. The roots are 

 seldom branched but here and there a few fine fibres are given off; they are 

 almost tasteless. For the properties and use of this plant, the reader is 

 referred to Hemidesmus. 



Chemical composition. -The roots contain a caoutchouclike substance 

 soluble in benzol, and a soft, brown tenacious resin soluble in ether. Treated 

 with alcohol the powdered root affords about 10 per cent, of dry extract, 

 containing red colouring matter, tannic acid and a small quantity of coumarin. 

 The tannic acii strikes a green colour with ferric chloride and if to this green 

 mixture a drop of soda solution is added, a bright, blue zone is seen to 

 surround the red coloured spot formed by the alkali. This reaction is peculiar 

 to cinchotannic acid. No alkaloidal body could be detected in this drug, 

 (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II. p. 424). 



N. 0. ASCLEPIADE2E. 



768. Hemidesmus indicus, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 5. 

 Syn. : — Asclepias pseudo-sarsa, Eoxb. 254. 

 Saiis. : — Ananta ; Sugandhi ; Gopi-mulam ; Sariva. 



Vera : — Magrabu, jangli-chanbelli, hindi-salsa (H.) ; Ananta- 

 mul (B.); Sugandi-pala, nannari, nat-ka-aushbah (Dec); 

 Upalsara (Bomb.); Anantamul, upalasari (Mar.); Nannari, 

 (Tam.) ; Gadisugandhi, pala-chukkani-deru, sugandhipala, tella 

 sugandhipala, palasugandhi, muttapulgam (Tel.) ; Sogadaheru, 

 sugandha-palada-gida (Kan.). 



Habitat: — Northern India, from Banda to Oudh and Sik- 

 kim, and southwards to Travancore. 



Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite, hairy, or pubescent beneath . 

 Leaves most variable in form, length, and breadth ; from broadly 

 obovate to oblong, elliptic, linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, or 

 apiculate; the shorter and broader 1-1 1 by 1-1 \ in., the longer 4 

 by £in., the broadest semetimes retuse at the tip, the narrowest 

 finely acuminate, those on the young shoots often white along 



