SPIKENARD. 
163 
long. Stems simple, villous. Leaves entire, downy ; radical ones oblong-lanceolate, 
very long ; cauline ones sessile, sub-lanceolate, broadest at the base. Flowers 
disposed in fascicled corymbs. Fascicles opposite, pedunculate, and terminal. 
Pedicels and ovary tomentose. Calyx five-parted ; lobes triangular-ovate, acute, 
short, foliaceous, somewhat denticulate, persistent, hairy. Corolla purple, tube 
dilated ; limb five-lobed, somewhat unequal ; lobes blunt ; throat bearded. Stamens 
four, exserted, adnate to the tube of the corolla. Filaments bearded. Style longer 
than the stamens. Stigma simple, capitate. Capsule three-celled, crowned by the 
calycine lobes. 
In habit it greatly resembles Scorzonera humilis, is a native of Nipaul on the 
Himalayan Mountains and Gogainsthan, in Mandor, and Chiton provinces, and in 
the provinces of Delhi, Bengal, and Deccan — growing in company with Triplostegia 
gland if era. The fragrance of the roots in some degree resembles that of Valeriana 
officinalis, but is far more aromatic and pleasant. The natives make use of them in 
medicine, as a remedy in hysteria and epilepsy. 
The plant is nearly hardy, but may require a little shelter in winter, after the 
tops have died down, either by laying some extra soil upon the crown, or by 
turning a flower-pot over it. 
Any light sandy soil will do, but if it be cultivated in a pot a mixture of peat, 
loam, and sand is the best. 
a 
DESCRIPTION OF THE WOOD-CUT. 
a Nardostacliys Jatamansi, or true Spikenard. I c Detached corymb, natural sizi\ 
b Distorted root of Ditto. j d Valeriana CeWca. 
