N. O. ASCLEPIADEjE. 831 



and a substance affording the re-actions of an alkaloid. The resin is de- 

 composed by boiling with dilute acids, and gives a purplish colour with strong 

 sulphuric acid. It is gkicosidal and is related to Jalapin. An aqueous extract 

 contained gum and a carbohydrate having the properties of dextrin. The 

 root was devoid of astringency. The powder mixed with milk of lime gave off 

 ammonia. The larger roots left 3-16 per cent., the smaller ones 586 per cent., 

 of inorganic matter on incineration. (Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 450) 



784. Dregea volubilis, Benih., h.f.b.l, rv. 46. 



Syn. : — Asclepias volubilis, Linn. /. Roxb. 253. 



Vern : — Nak-cbhikni (Hind.); Tita-kunga (Berig.) ; Hiran- 

 dodi ; Ambri. (Mar.) ; Kodic-palay (Tarn.) ; Marangkongat 

 (Santal.) ; Ambri ; Dudhi (Bomb.) ; Dudi-palla (Tel.). 



Habitat: — Bengal, Assam and the Deccan Peninsula, from 

 the Concan southwards. 



A stout, glabrous, hoary or mealy climber, with a woody 

 stem ; branches stiff, often pustular ; innovations generally hoary, 

 tomentose. Leaves ovate, suborbicular or cordate acuminate, 

 3-6 by 2-4in., rather coriaceous, base sometimes rounded, trun- 

 cate or cuneate, usually tomentose beneath, when young. Main 

 lateral nerves up to 5 pair. Petiole rather stout, l-3in.; ped- 

 uncles l-3in., rather slender, drooping. Cymes axillary or inter- 

 petiolar, umbelliform ; pedicels -§-l|in,, rusty, scaberulous. 

 Flowers green £-|in. diam. Calyx about t^in. across, stellate. 

 Sepals triangular, ovate. Corolla dark-green, cup-shaped ; lobes 

 broadly triangular, overlapping to the right, Jin. diam. Coronal 

 scales 5, fleshy, hemispherial, adnate to the very short column, 

 spreading, inner angle cuspidate ; pollen-masses wavy. Stigma 

 dome-shaped. Follicles usually double, 3-4 by 1-1 Jin., broadly 

 lanceolate, turgid, longitudinally ribbed, velvety until mature, 

 afterwards minutely tomentose. Seeds |-|in. long, says Kanjilal, 

 broad-elliptic, concave, smooth, shining, with sharp edges; coma 

 of very fine, white, silky hairs, about ljin. long. 



Parts used : — The leaves ; roots and tender stalks. 



Uses : — The leaves are much employed as an application to 

 boils and abscesses. The roots and tender stalks are considered 

 emetic and expectarant. (Ph. lnd.), 



