1086 
INDIAN MEDfCINAL PLANTS. 
p. 416) quotes a Malabar proverb, to the effect “ as soon as 
Alpam enters the body, poison leaves it.” (Ph. Ind.) This- is 
regarded as one of the most powerful antidotes to poison known 
on the West Coast. The whole plant mixed with oil and reduced 
to an ointment is said to be very efficacious in psora or inveterate 
ulcers (Drury). 
1075. B. tomentnsa , Blume., h.f.b.i., v. 73. 
Habitat : — Silhet. 
A low, herbaceous plant. Stem creeping below, and rooting, 
then ascending, 6-12in., simple angular, geniculate, tomentose. 
Leaves densely tomentose beneath 4-6 by 2j-4in., 1-3, oblong 
or ovate-cordate smooth, opaque above, 6-9-nerved at the base 
and penni-nerved beyond ; the first pair of basal nerves not 
reaching the middle of the leaf. Flowers in simple spikes, 
J-fin. diam. ; bracts oblong persistent. Perianth-lobes rounded- 
cordate, acute. Stamens 6. Capsule 2in. long, straight ; Seeds 
Jin. long, 3-gonous, rugose- 
Use: — It possesses intense bitterness, and, according to 
Horsfield, is employed by the Javanese as an emtnenagogue 
(Ph. Ind.). 
1076. Ariatoloehia bracteata, Betz., h.f.b.i., v. 
75 ; Roxb. 400. 
Sans : — Dhfimrapatra. 
Vern.: — Kiraamar gandnn or gandati (Hind, and Dec.); 
Addu-tina-pally (Tam.); Gadidegada-para-aku (Tel.) ; Gandhatt, 
kid&mari (Bom.); Kadapara (Tel.) ; AtutinappAla (Mai.); Paniri 
(Uriya). 
Habitat: — Deccan Peninsula, northward to Bundelkund, 
and Scinde. 
Perennial herbs, quite glabrous. Roots slender. Stem or 
branches slender, 12-18in., angled, striate. Leaves l£-3in. long 
and broad, widely and shallowly cordate at base or reniform, 
tip obtuse or subacute, margins flat or waved, glaucous beneath. 
Petiole 1-1 jin. Peduncle short ; bracts usually orbicular, 
variable in position, sometimes basal. Flowers solitary. 
