N. 0. MYRTA0E.E. 
551 
N. 0. MYRTACEiE. 
500. Myrtus communis, Linn, h. f.b.i., ii. 462. 
Vern. : — Vil&yati mehndi, mflrad (H.); Sutr-sowa, fruit; 
hab-ul-as (Arab.) 
Habitat : — Cultivated in India. This is the common myrtle, 
extensively grown > n India. The leaves are extensively used 
by the European Jews in their religious ceremonials and by 
the Natives of India of all kinds for medicinal purposes. It 
extends from the south of Europe, especially the Mediterranean 
region, as far as Afghanistan and Baluchistan. In Bombay, 
it is a small shrubby plant, grown in gardens in pots and tubs. 
The leaves are fragrant, opposite, sometimes ternate, 
ovate, smooth, of a beautiful green colour, glandular and 
persistent, with short petioles. Flowers axillary, 5-petulous, 
white, succeeded by a purple berry the size of a pea. (P. 333, 
The Bengal Dispensary, 0. Shaughnessy 1841, Calcutta.) 
Uses : — In Upper India, the leaves are considered useful in 
cerebral affections, especially epilepsy, also in dyspepsia, and 
diseases of the stomach and liver. A decoction is employed 
as a mouth-wash in cases of apthm. The fruit is carminative, 
and is given in diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhage, internal 
ulceration and rheumatism. The seeds, ground and mixed 
with antimony, are used to color the eye-lids (Watt). 
“ The essential oil of the leaves has been esteemed in France 
as a disinfectant and useful antiseptic, also used in the Paris 
ho'spitals, in certain affections of the respiratory organs and the 
bladder, and recommended as a local application in rheumatic 
affections” (Pharm. Journ.. March 30, 1889 : p. 782). 
501. Melaleuca leucadendron, Linn, h. f.b.i., 
ii. 465, Roxb. 591. 
Vern . : — Kayaputi (H.) ; Cajuputte, ilachie (B.) ; Kayakuti 
(Bomb.); Cajupflta (Mar.); Kijapute, kayapute (Tam.) 
Habitat : — Cultivated in India. 
