646 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
It is given, too, in jaundice and supposed diseases of the liver 
(Watt). 
It is also anthelmintic (Surgeon-Major Mukerji, in Watt’s 
Dictionary). 
597. 0. umbellata, Linn, h.f.b.i., hi. 66 ; Roxb. 
141. 
Vern. : — Chirval ; Chirval-ki-lakri (EL and Dec.) ; Surbuli (B ); 
Cherivello ; Chiru v6ru (Tel ) ; Sayawer ; Imbdral (Tam.) ; Kal- 
penyok (Lepcha). 
Habitat : — Western Peninsula, from Orissa southwards. 
Found in the sandy scrub of the Coromandel Coast and 
largely collected (Gamble). 
An annual herb, diffuse, glabrous or scaberulous. Stem 
woody, much-branched from the base. Stipules with bristles. 
Leaves £-l|in., spreading or recurved, often fascicled, linear, 
flat or almost ac.ieular with recurved margins, acute, nerveless. 
Peduncles in the upper axils stout, 3-many-flowered ; pedicels 
short. Cymes sometimes sessile or terminal. Calyx-teeth a 
little shorter than the Corolla-tube, subulate. Capsule didy- 
mous, crown low. Seeds numerous, angled, testa smooth. 
Uses : — The small, narrow, pale green leaves of this low- 
growing plant, the native doctors consider as expectorant, and 
prescribe them accordingly. Of the virtues of the root in 
poisonous bites, colds and cutaneous disorders, as mentioned in 
Miller's Dictionary, 1 know nothing. When dried and powdered, 
the leaves are-sometimes mixed with flour and made into cakes, 
which are eaten by such as suffer from consumptive and asthmatic 
affections. The dose of the decoction of the leaves is about an 
ounce twice daily (Anislie). 
598. Ophiorrhiza Mungos, Linn, h.f.b.i., iii. 77 ; 
Roxb. 235. 
Sons. : — Sarpakshi. 
Fern. : — Kiri-purandan (Tam.) ; Sarpashi-chettu (Tel.) ; 
Sarathi (H.) ; Gaudha nakuli (B.). 
