n. o. acanthacejE. 979 



Rhinacanthin is a dull cherry-red resinous substance, which contains no 

 nitrogen, and does not reduce copper solution. It seems to be related to 

 chrysophanic and frangulic acids. Two ultimate analyses gave a mean of 

 carbon 67*55 per cent., hydrogen 7*36 per cent. The formula C 14 H 13 4 corres- 

 ponds with 67'20 C and 7"20 H. Itsjpresence in the plant is said to be limited 

 to certain intercellular spaces occurring in the bark, the cellular tissue of 

 of this part appearing to be filled with an intensely red substance, supposed 

 to consist of a compound of rhinacanthin with an alkali. It is obtained by 

 exhaustion of the powdered root fibres with absolute alcohol, Rhinacanthin 

 has the peculiarity of forming with bases beautiful red compounds that are 

 easily decomposed by certain neutral solvents, such as petroleum spirit, which 

 dissolves the rhinacanthin and assumes a yellow colour (Pharm. Zeitch f. 

 Russl., Feb. 1881 ; Year Book Pharm., 1881, p. 197.) 



937. Eeboliumlinneanum, Kurz., h.f.b.i., iv. 514. 



Syn. : — Justicia Ecbolium, Linn., Roxb. 38. 



Vern. : — Uda-jati (H.) ; Ran-aboli. Dhaktaadulsa (Mar.). 



Habitat : — S. Deccan Peninsula. 



A low shrub, branches erect, cylindrical, thickened above 

 the nodes, glabrous. Leaves large, 4|-6in., oblong, oval or 

 lanceolate, tapering to base, acuminate, acute, entire to very 

 faintly crenate, glabrous, shining and dark green above, paler 

 and densely finely pubescent beneath. Petiole obscure. Flowers 

 large, sessile in opposite pair. Spikes nearly sessile, 2-10in., 

 4-sided. Bracts J-|-in., oblong-oval, aristate, gland ular-puberulous, 

 ciliate, semi-membranous, reticulate-veined. Bractlets subulate. 

 Sepals linear, acuminate, glandular-pubescent. Corolla-tube 

 ljin., slightly dilated and laterally compressed at throat, 

 deflexed, hairy outside, upper lip about Jin. very narrow, strong- 

 ly reflexed, lower lip about ljin. diain. ; lateral lobes oblong, 

 acute, middle one oval obtuse. Capsule pubescent. Seeds white. 



The colour of flowers, is, says Trimen from Ceylon, "pale 

 bluish-green." J. D. Hooker says " greenish-blue or purple." 



Use : — The roots are prescribed in jaundice and menor- 

 rhagia (Dymock). 



938. Graptophyllum liortense, Nees., h.f.b.i., iv. 

 545. 



Syn. : — Justicia picta, Roxb. 39. 



Vern. : — Pandhara adulsa (variegated variety); Kala adulsa 

 (Dark variety) — (Konkan). 



