ti. o. aMarantace/E. 1057 



1033. G. Crisbata, Linn., H.F.B.I., IV. 715 ; 

 Roxb. 228. 



Sa?is. : — Mayura Sikha. 



Vera. : — Kokan, pila-murghka, lal-murghka (H.) ; Mawal, taji 

 khoros, bostan afraz, kanju, clhura-dra (Pb.) ; Lal-murga, 

 huldi-murga (B.) ; Erra-kodi-utta-tota-kuru ; Kodi-juttu-tota- 

 kura (Tel.). 



Habitat: — Throughout India, cultivated, and as an escape. 



An annual erect glabrous herb. Stem tall, branching. 

 Leaves ovate lanceolate, sometimes 9in. long and 3in. broad, 

 sometimes varying from linea to ovate, acute or acuminate ; 

 spikes cylindric, very stout. Flowers densely imbricate i~Jin. 

 Style filiform, lengthening after fruiting. Utricle acute ; dehis- 

 cence circumciss. 



Uses : — The flowers are considered astringent, they are used 

 in cases of diarrhoea, and in excessive menstrual discharges 

 (Stewart.) The seeds are demulcent and useful in painful mic- 

 turition, cough and dysentery. (U. C. Dutt.) 



The seeds of C. cristafca, Linn, afford a greenish-brown, drying oil, with 

 an iodine value of 126*3. The insoluable fatty acids melt between 27° and 29°. 



Regarding the genus Amarantus, Sir George Watt, in his 



Comml. Prod, of India, p. 62, writes — 



" There may be said to be two or perhaps three distinct groups of ama- 

 ranths that are of economic value to the people of India. These are the species 

 cultivated in gardens and mainly, if not exclusively, as Pot-herbs : second, the 

 wild species that are eaten as pot-herbs or Medicines : and third, the forms 

 cultivated in fields and exclusively so as edible Grains. The last mentioned 

 are by far, the most valuable and hence may be taken up in greater detail 

 than the others. But in passing it may be observed that the Indian species 

 of this genus seem to be sadly wanting careful study and revision." 



1034. Amarantus spinosus, Linn., iff. P. B. I., iv. 



718. 



Sans. : — Tanduliya. 

 138 



