USEFUL PLANTS OF THE DISTRICT OF LAKH I M PUR. 
405 
Distktb. — Throughout the tropical parts of the Indo-Malayan region 
and China. 
A handsome tree. The leaves are arranged in whorls of 7 and are whitish beneath. The 
flowers smell like the Sweet-flag. This tree is common thronghont the district. Its bark is 
the Alstonia of the British Pharmacopoeia. The people of Lakhimpnr use the plant only 
in superstitious ways such as tying the young leaves of it round children’s necks to cure 
bowel complaints, 
15». Tabernaemontana. Linn. 
179. T. coronaria Br. F. B. I. 646 ; Eng. & Prantl ir, 2, 148 ; Beng. 
PI. 673 ; D. E. F. vi, 3, 40 1 ; Pharmacog. Ind. ii, 413. 
Jaipur. No. 302. 
Local name. — Tagar. 
Distrib, — Cultivated throughout India and Burma. Native country 
unknown. 
A small shrub with much forked branches, glossy leaves, and white flowers. The 
Phakials grow it in their villages and use it for some medicinal purpose but show much 
secrecy about it and will not tell us exactly how or for what they use it. 
151. Thevetia Linn. 
189. T. neriifolia Juss. Eng. & Prantl iv, 2, 159 ; Beng. PI. 669 ; D» 
E. P. vi, 4, 47 ; Pharmacog. Ind. ii, 406. 
Dibrugarh. No. 136. 
Local name.— K arbi. “ Yellow Oleander.” 
Distrib. — A native of America, cultivated extensively and almost 
naturalised in India. 
The so-called Yellow Oleander, a native of America, is .now very common in tho plains of 
hndia. It is a shrub with narrow leaves and large bright yollow flowers. There are good 
examples on tbe Red Road at Dibrugarh. The milky juice is very poisonous but the natives 
apply it for pain. We were even told that it was applied to sores in children’s mouths, but 
such treatment must be very dangerous. 
LXVIL ASCLEPIAUACE IE. 
153. Calotropis R. Br. 
181. C. gigantea R. Br. F. B. I. iv, 17 ; Eng. k Prantl iv, 2, 239, 
Beng. PI. 688 ; D. E. P. ii, 34 ; Pharmacog. Ind. ii, 428. 
Margherita. No. 103. 
Local name.-— Ak y maddr. 
Distrib. — Throughout India to Malay Islands and S. China. 
A shrub abounding in milky juice. Tho loaves are thick and cottony benenth. and the 
flowers are fleshy and pale purple. It is common on waste places. The milk is applied u> 
inflamed parts. 
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