901 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
fine, nearly stellate, pubescence. Branches round. Leaves 2-4in., 
3-5, says Brandis, subacute, ovate, suddenly tapering at base, 
entire, shining and apparently glabrous, but really with minute 
stellate or scaly hair, rather thick, veins pellucid. Petiole 
1-lJin. long. Flowers hermaphrodite, rather small or short, 
pubescent, pedicels usually about 5in., in umbellate cymes. 
Pedicels 0-Jin. Calyx campanulate ; in flower Jin. ; in fruit fin., 
stellate pubescent, segments linear triangular, recurved at apex. 
Corolla J-Jin. long, greenish or lurid yellow, lobes lanceolate, 
erect, but recurved in upper part, pubescent outside. Stamens 
5, inserted on Corolla-tube ; filaments linear, anthers level with 
the stigma. Ovary glabrous ; style as the stamens. Fruit- 
Calyx inflated, papery, ovfer Jin., globose, slightly 5-augled. 
Fruit J-Jin. diam. Seeds Jin. diam., smooth, compressed. 
In the “Materia Medica oj Western India" an opinion is expressed that 
the commercial article cannot be the root of W. somnifera. This opinion 
was founded upon a comparison of the drug with the root of that plaint as 
found in the salt marshes near Bombay, where it acquires a twisted, woody, 
form, entirely different to the tapering, starchy root which it has when 
growing in sweet soil. Young roots obtained from Satara exactly corres- 
ponded with the drug of commerce. Another point of difference is the red 
colour of the inner bark in the Bombay roots, which was not observed in 
those from the Deccan. The foliage, flowers and fruit of both plants appear 
to be identical. (Pharmacographia Indica, II. 568.) 
Uses : — The root is regarded as tonic, alterative, and aphro- 
disiac, and is used in consumption, emaciation of children, debi- 
lity from old age, rheumatism, &c. (Dutt). It has also narcotic 
and diuretic properties. The root sold in the bazars of South 
India resembles Gentian root in external appearance. The 
ground root and bruised leaves are employed as a local applica- 
tion to carbuncles, ulcers, and painful swellings (Pharm. Ind.). 
The root is also said to have deobstruent properties. The 
leaves are very bitter, and are given in infusion in fevers. 
The fruit is diuretic. The Telinga physicians suppose the roots 
to be alexipharmic (Roxburgh). 
, “ The authors of the Bombay Flora say that the seeds are 
employed to coagulate milk like those of W. coagulans. We 
have tried the experiment and find them to have some coagulat- 
ing power. 
