1272 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



. Use :-— It is said to be used medicinally. Further informa- 

 tion is required. 



1256. I. nepalensis, Don. h.f.b.i., vi., 273. 



Vern. : — Chalnumdar, sosan, shoti, chiluchi (Pb. and U. 

 P. Himalayan names.) 



Habitat :— Western and Eastern Himalaya. 



Root-stock stout, prostrate and creeping, with densely fibrous 

 sheaths and copious, fleshy, finger-like roots. Stem J-lft. 

 Leaves linear, 6in. long at flowering time, elongating to 24 by 

 -|in., streaked with purple lines and dots. Spathes 1-3-fid, 

 R-2in. long, outer valves thin, green, persistent ; pedicels very 

 short. Perianth-tube slender, ljin., limb 1-l^in., pale lilac; 

 blade of sepals oblong, half an inch broad, as long as the claw ; 

 crests narrow, yellow. Petal oblong, fin. broad. Style arms 

 lin. and less ; crests large-toothed. Capsule oblong, 3-gonous, 

 with broad, flat sides and a long slender beak, l-ljin., enclosed 

 in the persistent spathes (J. D. Hooker.) 



Uses : — The root is described as having properties similar to 

 costus, and appears to have been regarded by both Hindus and 

 Arabs as a kind of costus. * * * Iris root is considered by 

 Mahometan hakims to be deobstruent, aperient, diuretic, especial- 

 ly useful in removing bilious obstructions. It is also used exter- 

 nally as an application to small sores and pimples. From the 

 large number of diseases in which this drug is recommended, it 

 would appear to be regarded as a panacea. (Pharmacogr. 

 Ind. III. 452.) 



1257. I. kumaonensis, Wall., h.f.b.i., vi. 274. 



Vern. :— Piaz, karkar, tezma (Pb.). 



Habitat: — Temperate and Alpine N.-W. Himalaya. 



A dwarf species. Root-stock stout, prostrate and creeping. 

 Stems 2-12in., crowded ; outer basal sheaths fibrous. Leaves 

 linear, 12-14 by fin. Spathes 2-3in., 1-fid ; valves lanceolate, 

 yentricose. Pedicels very short. Flower-heads solitary. 

 Perianth-tube 2-2Mn. long, limb l^in., bright lilac. Blade of 

 sepals fin. broad, spreading, cuneate, obovate, as long as the 



