636 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
“ Doubtfully separable from the true Ginseng of Japan ” 
(FI. Br. I, p. 721). 
Herbs l-2ft., with a whole of digitate leaves at its apex. 
Root-stock horizontal, tuberous or tuberiterous. Stem 6-15 in , 
erect smooth ; the scale at base deciduous, or persistent. Leaflets 
lanceolate, with scattered bristles, especially on the upper surface, 
5, rarely 3, 2-6 by J-lJin., acuminate, often caudate, rounded or 
tapering at the base, closely serrate or deeply double serrate, gla- 
brous, except the scattered bristles. Petiole l-6in,, glabrous. 
Petiolules 0-lin. Peduncles shorter or longer than the leaves, 
glabrous or nearly so, solitary or 2-4, simple or with 2-5 umbel- 
late heads; pedicels J-lin., pubescent or puberulous ; bracteoles 
iin., narrow lanceolate-linear. 
Flowers polygamo-monoeious ; styles 2-3, in the male some- 
times united nearly to their summit Fruit red or half black, 
half-red, shining, globose, sub-didymous. 
Use : — Ginseng enjoys in its native country the reputation 
of a panacea, and especially of being aphrodisiac. The affections, 
for the cure of which it is most esteemed, are such as are usual- 
ly treated by aromatic stimulants, including dyspepsia, vomit- 
ing, and nervous affections. It is used as a masticatory and also 
in infusion, and is occasionally brought to India by the Chinese. 
587 . Hedera Linn., h.f.b.i., ii. 739 . 
Vern . : — Dildela (Nepal); Lablab (Behar) ; Halbambar, 
arbambal (Jhelum) ; Kurol (Chenab) ; Kuri, Karur (Ravi) ; 
Brumbrum dakari (Beas) ; Karburu (Sutlej) Pb. 
Habitat : —Himalayas ; Khasia Hills. 
A glabrous, large, evergreen, woody climber, adhering to 
trees, rocks or walls by means of numerous extra-axillary fine 
rootlets. Leaves simple, leathery, 3-4in., dark-green and 
shining above, varying from linear-lanceolate to cordate-ovate, 
entire or variously-lobed, palmate or sub-pinnatifid ; base cordate, 
rounded or cuneate ; petiole |-llin., slender. Flowers 
polygamous, yellowish green, in pedunculate globose umbels, 
which again are arranged in sub-corymbose panicles ; peduncles 
1-2 in., pedicels 5-8in. long, both clothed with stellate scales, 
