iJ. 0. ASCLEPIADE.E. 827 



in t e root than in the leaves, but it appeared to possess similar characters. 

 It was amorphous, but formed a slightly crystalline hydrochloride. The damp 

 crystals of the hydrocloridc brought into contact with the fumes from a 

 drop of nitric acid produced a bluish green coloration. With sulphuric acid 

 the alkaloid was first coloured reddish-brown, passing to carmine and then to 

 purple. It was precipitated from solution by the usual reagents. 



The alcoholic extract was emetic and purgative. A quantity from 2 grams 

 of the leaves mixed with bread and given to a chicken produced frequent and 

 watery stools. The aqueous extract from the leaves, after removal of all that 

 was soluble by means of alcohol, had no effect upon a guinea-pig. 



(Pharmacographia Indica Vol. II pp. 44L-442). 



782. T. asthmalica, W. & A., h.f.b.l, iv. 44. 



Syn. : — Asclepias asthmatica, Willd. Roxb. 252. 



Vern : — Jangli-pikwan, Antamul* (H.) ; Antomul (B.) ; 

 Pitkari ; Kharaki-rasna (Bomb.) ; Nach-churuppan, nay-palai, 

 peyp-palai (Tarn.); Verri-pala ; Kukka-pala (Tel.) ; Valli-pala 

 (Mai.) ; Mendi (Uriya) ; Pita-kari (Mar.). Adumuttada (Kan). 



Habitat :— N. & E. Bengal, Assam, Cachar, Chittagong ; 

 Deccan Peninsula. 



A perennial herb. Roots many, long, fleshy. Stems slender, 

 very long, slightly branched, strongly twining pubescent or 

 hairy ; or glabrous. Leaves 2-lin., rather thickly coriaceous, 

 very variable in width, rarely pubescent or tomentose on both 

 surfaces, ovate, rounded or oblong, apiculate, acute or acuminate, 

 base usually cordate ; nerves few, spreading ; petiole -§-fin. 

 Cymes always more or less pubescent, hispid at the base of 

 the umbels. Peduncles shorter than the leaves, bearing 2-3 

 sessile few-or many-fid umbels, pedicels long, capillary. Sepals 

 long, lanceolate, hispid. Corolla large, Jin. diam. Lobes short, 

 acute. Flowers dull-yellow and purple within. Coronal 

 processes gibbous or globose, with free cuspidate tips. Follicles 

 very variable, poniard-shaped, divaricate or deflexed 3-4in. ; 

 slender in the Dekkan specimens, with a thin pericarp ; slender, 

 fusiform, glabrous, in the Ceylon specimens. Seeds i~iin. long, 

 broadly ovate, coma fin. 



* The Hindi name is derived from ant, ' the entrails,' and mul 'a root.' 

 The expression ant girna signifies "to suffer from dysenteric symptoms," 

 literally " to void the intestines." (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 437). 



