N. 0. ACANTHACEjE. 
97.9 
Rhinacanthin is a dull cherry-red resinous substance, which contains no 
nitrogen, and does not reduce copper solution. It, seems to be related to 
chrysophanic and frangnllc acids. Two ultimate analyses gave a mean of 
carbon 67 66 per cent., hydrogen 7 - S6 per cent. The formula C 14 H ia 0 4 corres- 
ponds with 67'20 C and 7‘20 H. Its presence in the plant is said to be limited 
to certain interoellular spaces occurring in the bark, the cellular tissue of 
of this part appearing to be filled with an intensely red substance, supposed 
to consist of a compound of rhinacanthin with an alkali. It is obtained by 
exhaustion of the powdered root fibres with absolute alcohol. Rhinacanthin 
has the peculiarity of forming with bases beautiful red compounds that are 
easily decomposed by certain neutral solvents, such as petroleum spirit, which 
dissolves the rhinacanthin and assumes a yellow colour (P harm. Zeitch /. 
Russl., Feb. 1881 ; Year Book Pharm., 1881, p. 197.) 
937. Ecboliumlinneanum, Kurz ., h . f . b . i ., iv . 544. 
Syn. : — Justicia Ecbolium, Linn., Roxb. 38. 
Vern. : — IJda-jati (H.) ; Ran-aboli, Dhaktaadulsa (Mar.). 
Habitat : — S. Deccan Peninsula. 
( A low shrub, branches erect, cylindrical, thickened above 
the nodes, glabrous. Leaves large, 4J-6in., oblong, oval or 
lanceolate, tapering to base, acuminate, acute, entire to very 
faintly crenate, glabrous, shining and dark green above, paler 
and densely finely pubescent beneath. Petiole obscure. Flowers 
large, sessile in opposite pair. Spikes nearly sessile, 2-10in., 
4-sided. Bracts f-fin., oblong-oval, aristate, gland ular-puberulous, 
ciliate, semi-membranous, reticulate-veined. Bractlets subulate. 
Sepals linear, acuminate, glandular-pubescent. Corolla-tube 
1 ■§ i n . , slightly dilated and laterally compressed at throat, 
deflexed, hairy outside, upper lip about Jin. very narrow, strong- 
ly reflexed, lower lip about ljin. diam. ; lateral lobes oblong, 
acute, middle one oval obtuse. Capsule pubescent. Seeds white. 
The colour of flowers, is, says Trimen from Ceylon, “pale 
bluish-green.” J. D. Hooker says “ greenish-blue or purple.” 
Use: — The roots are prescribed in jaundice and menor- 
rhagia (Dymock). 
938. Graptophyllum hortense, Nees., h . f . b . i ., iv . 
545. 
Syn. : — Justicia picta, Roxb. 39. 
Vern. Pandhara adnlsa (variegated variety); Kala adulsa 
(Dark variety) — (Konkan), 
