N. O. ASCLEPIADEjE. 
827 
in t e root than in the leaves, but it appeared to possess similar characters. 
It was amorphous, but formed a slightly crystalline hydrochloride. The damp 
crystals of the hydrocloride brought into contact with the fumes from a 
drop of nitric acid produced a bluish green coloration. With sulphuric acid 
the alkaloid was first coloured reddish-brown, passing to carmine and then to 
purple. It was precipitated from solution by the usual reagents. 
The alcoholic extract was emetic and purgative. A quantity from 2 grams 
of the leaves mixed with bread and given to a chicken produced frequent and 
watery stools. The aqueous extract from the leaves, after removal of all that 
was soluble by means of alcohol, had no effecb'upon a guinea-pig. 
(Pharmaeographia Indica Vol. II pp. 441-442). 
782 . T. asthmatica, W. & A., h.f.b.i., iv. 44 . 
Syn. : — Aselepias asthmatica, W illd. Roxb. 252. 
Vern: — Jangli-pikwan, Antamul y (H.) ; Antomul (B.) ; 
Pitkari ; Kharalu-rasna (Bomb.) ; Nack-churuppan, nay-palai, 
peyp-patai (Tam.) ; Verri-pala ; Kukka-pala (Tel.) ; Valli-pala 
(Mai.) ; Mendi (Uriya) ; Pita-kari (Mar.). Adumuttada (Kan). 
Habitat : — N. & E. Bengal, Assam, Cachar, Chittagong; 
Deccan Peninsula. 
A perennial herb. Roots many, long, fleshy. Stems slender, 
very long, slightly branched, strongly twining pubescent or 
hairy ; or glabrous. Leaves 2-4in., rather thickly coriaceous, 
very variable in width, rarely pubescent or tomentose on both 
surfaces, ovate, rounded or oblong, apiculate, acute or acuminate, 
base usually cordate ; nerves few, spreading ; petiole i-fin. 
Cymes always more or less pubescent, hispid at the base of 
the umbels. Peduncles shorter than the leaves, bearing 2-3 
sessile few-or many-fid umbels, pedicels long, capillary. Sepals 
long, lanceolate, hispid. Corolla large, £in. diarn. Lobes short, 
acute. Flowers dull-yellow and purple within. Coronal 
processes gibbous or globose, with free cuspidate tips. Follicles 
very variable, poniard-shaped, divaricate or deflexed 3-4in. ; 
slender in the Dekkan specimens, with a thin pericarp ; slender, 
fusiform, glabrous, in the Ceylon specimens. Seeds i-yin. long, 
broadly ovate, coma fin. 
♦The Hindi name is derived from ant, ‘ the entrails,’ and mul 1 a root.' 
The expression ant girrn signifies “to suffer from dysenteric symptoms," 
literally “ to void the intestines.” (Pharmaeographia Indica, Vol. II, p. 487). 
