NO. 53.— 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



205 



The wood is pale yellowish-white, very soft, rather foetid 

 when newly cut, quickly decaying. In much demand for 

 coffins, tea boxes, and picture-backing. Weight, 25 lb. per 

 cubic foot. The bark affords an astringent tonic. 



[Low-country, up to 3,000 feet ; common.] 



ASCLEPIADE/E. 



This large Order is chiefly composed of medicinal plants, 

 nearly all of which are creepers or shrubs. It can hardly be 

 included in detail in a Paper of the nature to which this 

 applies, but special reference is made to the following two, 

 in consequence of their value as medical drugs. 



207. — Hemidesmus indicus, 



Iramusu, S. §d§@ ; Namiari, T. ^dr^tf. 

 Trim. Cey. Fior., vol. III., p. 144. 



A creeping plant, usually prostrate, with (usually) narrow 

 lanceolate or linear opposite leaves, dark above, with central 

 portion prettily mottled with irregular silvery -gray marking. 

 Leaf -stalks very short. 



Yery common in the dry parts of both Provinces, especially 

 in open ground and on roadsides. 



The root (Indian Sarsaparilla) is used as a blood purifier, 

 and is much prized for this purpose. 



[Low-country up to 2.500 feet ; common in grassy places.] 



208. — Calolropis gigantea. 



Wara, S. ©da ; Irukali, T. ^(j^arreS. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 148. 



A shrub with yellowish-white bark, rarely attaining a 

 large size. Leaves opposite, large, oblong-oval, thick, pale 

 green, often covered with fine tomentum. Stalks very short, 



