N. 0. S0I.ANA0E.J5. 
911 
Department at a cost of about four pence per pound, so that there is every 
prospect of Belladonna being grown profitably in Kumaun. -The Tropical 
Agricu'turiat, from the Annual Reports, Kumaun Government Gardens.] Indian 
Forester, April 1914. 
870 . Datura stramonium , Linn, h.f.b.t., iv. 242 . 
Vern. : — Sada dhutiira (B.) ; Umatai (Tam.) ; Ummetta (Tel.) 
Habitat : — Simla on waste ground. Temperate Himalaya, 
from Kashmir to Sikkim. Nearly throughout the globe, in 
temperate and warm climates. 
An annual, erect, coarse, nearly glabrous, herb; 2-4ft. Leaves 
stalked, ovate, about 7 by 4in., coarsely and irregularly lobed and 
toothed. Flowers white, single, on short, usually axillary, stalks. 
Calyx tubular, l-lfin., 4-5-toothed, 5-ribbed. Corolla funnel- 
shaped, 3-6in. long; limb spreading, l-3in. across, 5-lobed, 
folding fit the angles, lobes ending in narrow points. Stamens 
included. Ovary 4-lobed, 2-celled, covered with short, soft points. 
Stigma 2-lobed, oblong. Capsule ovoid, about by 1 i n . , covered 
with rigid sharp prickles, surrounded at base by the enlarged 
reflexed lower part of Calyx, ultimately 4-celled in the lower 
portion, opening nearly to the base by 4 valves. Seeds reniform, 
wrinkled. 
Uses : — Officinal in both Pharmacopoeias. 
The British Medical Journal for May 16, 1903 contains an 
article on “ Datura poisoning in the Federated Malay States, ” 
by Mr. John D. Giralette, in which regarding its uses by natives 
of those states, he says : — 
“ The leaves are almost universally used in the treatment of 
asthma, but it is significant to note that Datura is not often 
given internally by natives. The Malays mix leaves with wine 
or powdered rice and saffron, and apply them externally for 
various pains and swellings. They will heat them over a torch 
until smoked, and then apply them as a poultice over the spleen 
in intermittent fever. The root is powdered and applied to 
the gums in order to relieve the pain of toothache. The flowers 
are dried and roughly powdered with or without the leaves and 
rolled into cigarettes for the lelief of asthma.” 
Var. : — Tatula; h.f.b.i. iv. 242. 
