NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE — OXALIS CORNICULATA. 



an important medicine in native practice, being to the present day esteemed as one of 

 the fire opening roots of the ancients, the others being parsley, wild celery, asparagus, 

 and butcher's broom. 



Fennel is said to be grown as a field crop in Khandesh and in parts of the Deccan, 

 and the fruits are exported. 



The bazar price in Saharanpur for the fruits is 4 seers for the rupee. 



NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE, R. Br.* 



Water-cress; piriya halinx 



Natural order Cruciferce. An aquatic herb with creeping or floating stems. Leaves pinnate. 

 Flowers white. 



Atkinson states that the water-cress is cultivated in Xota and in Dehra Dun. 

 On the Himalayan range it occurs in a semi- wild state, but chiefly near hill stations. 

 It has no doubt been introduced into India. Its properties are antiscorbutic and 

 stimulant, and the eating of it is said to increase the appetite. 



v 



OXALIS CORNICULATA, LinnA 



Yellow Wood-sorrel ; chalmori (Hind.) ; chuka-tipatti (Beng.) 



Natural order Geraniacecc. A small somewhat hairy annual with trifoliolate leaves and yellow 

 flowers. 



A very common weed especially on cultivated ground both in the plains and on the 

 lulls up to 8,000 feet or more. According to Atkinson it is occasionally cultivated and 

 used as a salad. It is also cooked and used as a pot herb especially in times of drought. 



Modeen Sheriff says that the fresh leaves made into a curry improve the appetite 

 and digestion of dyspeptic patients, and that they are also used as a poultice to produce 

 cold and relieve inflammatory symptoms. Dr. Dymock states that the fresh juice is 

 given to relieve intoxication from datura, also for dysentery. 



* References :— Fl. Br. End,, 1 , 133 ; Watt, Diet. Econom. Prod., V., 342 ; Roylc, 111. Him. Bot., 70 ; Atkinson, Him. 

 Dist.,1., 708 j DO., L'OriR. PI. Cult., 352. 



t Fl. Br. Ind., I., 43C ; Koxl>., Fl. End. (Clarke's Ed ). 3S9 ; Watt, Diet. Econom. Prod. ; Koyle. Ill Ilim. Bot., 152 ; 

 Stewart, Punj. PI., 37 ; AtkinsoD, Econom. Prod. N.-W. I'rov., V . 14 ; Him. Uist., L, 708, 744 j Phamncogr. Ind., I. 240 ; 

 Djmock, Vcg Mat. Med , 121 ; Balf., Cvcl., III., 66. 



