N. O. ASOX.EPIAbE.22 . 
807 
Uses : — The root is considered to possess alterative tonic pro- 
perties, and has been employed as a substitute for Sarsaparilla 
(Ph. Ind.) The stalks and leaves are used in the form of decoc- 
tion in fevers (Watt). 
The roots are somewhat similar in appearance to those of Hemldesmus, but 
ha\e not the same coumavin odour. The bark is of a dark brown colour, and 
adheres closely to the wood, which is much harder, and differs in structure 
from that of Hemidesmus in having a large central pith. The roots are 
seldom branched but here and there a few fine fibres are given off ; they are 
almost tasteless. For the properties and use of this plant, the reader is 
referred to Hemidesmus. 
Chemical composition. -The roots contain a caoutchoucliko substanco 
soluble in benzol, and a soft, brown tenacious resin soluble ill ether. Treated 
with alcohol the powdered root affords about 10 per cent, of dry extract, 
containing red colouring matter, tannic acid and a small quantity of coumarin. 
The tannic acid strikes a green colour with ferric chloride and if to this green 
mixture a drop of soda solution is added, a bright, blue zone is seen to 
surround the red coloured spot formed by the alkali. This reaction is peculiar 
to cinchotannic acid. No alkaloidal body could bo detected in this drug. 
(Pharmacographia Indica, Vol. II. p. 424). 
N. 0. ASCLEPIADE7E. 
768. Hemidesmus indieus, Br. h.f.b.i., iv. 5. 
Syn. : — Asclepias pseudo-sarsa, Roxb. 254. 
Sans. : — Ananta ; Sugandhi ; Gopi-mulam ; Sariva. 
Vera : — Magrabu, jangli-chaubelli, hindi-salsa (H.) ; Ananta- 
mfil (B.); Sugaudi-p&la, nannari, nat-ka-auskbah (Dec.); 
Upalsara (Bomb.); Anantamul, upalasari (Mar.); Nannari, 
(Tam.) ; Gadisugandhi, pala-chukkani-deru, sugandkipala, tella 
sugandhipala, pdlasugandki, muttapulgam (Tel.) ; Sogadakeru, 
sugandka-palada-gida (Kan.). 
Habitat: — Northern India, from Banda to Oudk and Sik- 
kim, and soutkvvards to Travancore. 
' Twining shrubs. Leaves opposite, hairy, or pubescent beneath. 
Leaves most variable inform, length, and breadth ; from broadly 
obovate to oblong, elliptic, linear or linear-lanceolate, obtuse, or 
apiculate ; the shorter and broader I-I 2 by l-l|in., the longer 4 
by -J-in., the broadest semetimes refuse at the tip, the narrowest 
finely acuminate, those on the young shoots often white along 
