U. 0. FICOIDE^E. 
615 
Habitat: — Common throughout India. 
An annual herb, stellately woolly, sometimes less hairy, 
rarely glabrous. Stem prostrate, much branched, leafy. Leaves 
i-lin., opposite or vvhorled, usually obovate, but vary from 
round to narrow-lanceolate ; petiole O-fin. Flowers usually 
sessile or nearly so ; pedicels sometimes fin. Sepals i-jin , 
elliptic or oblong, acute. Staminodes linear or 0. Stamens 
usually 10 or more, or even 5. Styles 3-5, linear, short. Capsule 
a little shorter than sepals, oblong. Seeds many, covered with 
raised tubercular points, the appendage sometimes carrying mere 
than one bristle. This is a very variable weed in tanks, marshes 
and rice-fields (K. R. K,). 
Uses : — In the Punjab, given as a purgative in diseases of the 
abdomen (Stewart). 
The dried plant is prescribed by native practitioners in 
Sindh for diarrhoea (Murray). 
In Puddokota, the juice is administered internally to weak 
children (Pharmacographia Indica, vol. II, p. 104). 
562 . M. Spergula, Linn., h . f . b . i ., ii . 662 . 
Sans. : — Grishma-Sundaraka, Phani-ja. 
Vern. : — Jima (H. B.) ; Toora-elley, Kacchantharai (Tam.) ; 
Chayuntarashiakoo (Tel ) ; Jharasi (Mar.); Kaipajira (Mai.) ; 
Parpataka (Can.). 
Habitat : — Throughout India, except U.P., Panjab or Sindh. 
Branched herbs, glabrous or nearly so. Stems diffuse, 
leafy. Leaves f-lin., usually whorled, spathulate, lanceolate, 
or elliptic. Petiole O-fin. Pedicels f-Jin., oblong, margins 
often membranous. Stamens 5-10, stigmas 3, minute. Capsule 
ellipsoid, a little shorter than the sepals. Seeds many, covered 
with raised tubercular points, the appendage sometimes 
comprises a second, yet more minute, short subulate bristle. 
Uses : — Considered stomachic, aperient and antiseptic. Ainslie 
(ii., 431), writes that the plant is administered for suppression 
of the lochia, and when applied warm and moistened with a 
little castor oil, is reckoned a good application for earache. 
