584 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
sometimes contorted, 1-3 at times, 4ft. long by 1-lgin. broad. 
Seeds corrugate, numerous. 
“ Except in the fruit this agrees altogether with T. cucumerina, of which 
it is probably a cultivated form ” (C. B. Clarke). 
Use: — The seeds are considered a cooling medicine (T. N. 
Mukerji). 
530 . Lagenaria vulgaris, Seringe, h . f . b . i ., u . 
613 . 
Syn . : — Cucurbita lagenaria, Linn. Roxb. 700. 
Sans . : — Alabu ; Katutumbi (bitter variety). 
Fern.: — Kaddu, Lauki (H.) ; Harrea Kaddu (Dec). Lau (B.) ; 
Shora-kai (Tam.) ; Bella-sebora (Mai.) ; Sora-kaya ; Anapa-kai 
(Tel.) ; Hunea-kuddoo (Dec.). 
The bitter variety known as : — Karwi-t.umbi (H.) ; Tikta- 
lau (B.) ; Kadwa-bhopla (Bomb.) ; Kadu-bbopali ; Dudha- 
bhopala (Mar.). 
Habitat : — Cultivated throughout India. 
A large, pubescent, climbing annual. Tendrils 2-fid. — Leaves 
often 6in. diam., softly pubescent on both surfaces, more or 
less 5-angular or 5-lobed, ovate or orbicular, cordtate, dentate. 
Petioles long, with 2 glands at its apex. Flowers large, white, 
solitary, monoecious or diocious. Male peduncle often 6in. 
Female peduncle lin. 'Calyx-tube funnel-shaped, sub campanu- 
late, teeth 5, narrow, |in., pubescent. Petals l-2in., 5, ovate; 
stamens 3, anthers connate, included, one 1-eelled, two 2- 
celled, cells conduplicate, rudiment of ovary 0. Female Calyx 
and Corolla as in the male. Ovary oblong, style short, with 3 
bifid stigmatic lobes. Ovules many, horizontal. Fruit often 
l|ft. or more, usually bottle or dumb-bell shaped, thick 
membranous, almost woody when old, indehiscent. Seeds 
f by 1 and -gin., with an impressed groove parallel to and near 
the margin. 
Uses : — The seeds of this plant yield an oil which is used as 
an application for headache. The flesh of the fruit is con- 
sidered diuretic, refrigerant and antibilious. It is also some- 
times made into a poultice ; when fresh, it is bitter and purgative, 
