374 
USEFUL PLANTS OF THE DISTRICT OF LAKHIMPUR . 
XXV. CARYOPHVLLACEAE, 
54. Stellaria Linn. 
69. S, media Linn. F. B. I. i, 230; Eng. & Prantl iii, lb, 79 ; 
Beng. PI. 237 ; D . E. P. vi, 3, 358. 
Dibrugarh. No. 69. 
Local name. — <c Chickweed.” 
Distr ib.—' Throughout the temperate regions of India. Also in 
Arctic and North Temperate regions. Elsewhere doubtful native. It is 
probably introduced in India. 
A very common and most variable weed. The chickweed is nearly as common in Lakhim- 
j>nr as it is in England. It may be distinguished from all weeds like it by the lines of hairs 
which run on alternate sides of the stems in each succeeding internode. The dwellers in 
Lakhimpur are as ignorant as the English are of the fact that chickweed is very good to eat. 
Most cottagers told us that it was only eaten by cattle but at Ledo we met with people 
who knew its virtues as an article of diet. We found no local name for it. 
y ' 
55. Drymaria Willd. 
70. D. cordata Willd. P. B. I. i, 244 ; Eng. & Prantl iii, lb, 
86 ; Beng. PI. 238. 
Dibrugarh. Nos. 28 and 80. 
Local name. — Lai jabari. 
Distrib. — Tropical and sub-tropical India and Ceylon, in Sikkim up 
to 7,000 ft. Tropical Asia, Africa and America. 
A very common way-side weed with opposite, cordate 3-5 nerved leaves, and interpetiolar 
stipules. The flowers are white and inconspicuous; the small green fruits cling to the 
clothes. It is known to all cottagers as a medicinal plant. The plant is heated, or more 
rarely, boiled, and the vapours given off are inhaled through the nose to cure headache. It is 
also said to be wholesome and cleansing when taken internally. 
XXVI. MAGYOIJACEAE. 
56* Magnolia Linn. 
71. M. pterocarpa Roxb. Ann. R. B. G. Cal. iii, 2, 207 & fig. 53. 
Beng. PI. 197. 
M '. sphenocarpa Roxb. F. B. I. i, 41 ; D. E. P. v, 107. Liriodcndron 
grandijlrifrn Roxb. FI. Ind. ii, 653. 
North Lakhimpur and jungles near Dibrugarh. Nos. 307, 394. 
Local name. — B alom turi. 
Distrib. — Tropical East Himalayas and from Nepal through Assam 
to Chittngong. 
A forest tree. The large fleshy cylindrical buds are chewed with pan and said to blacken 
the mouth. The broken surface of the buds soon becomes black. Pieces chewed by us had a 
pleasant, pangent flavour. 
