1092 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.- 
Vern. : — Chab (H.) ; Chai, choi (B.) ; Kankala (Bomb.). 
Habitat Cultivated in various parts of India- 
A stout, climbing herb, quite glabrous. Stem rooting. 
Branches flexuous, terete, hard, finely striate when dry, pale. 
Leaves 5-7 by 2J-3$in., rather coriaceous, pale when dry, 
shining above, oblong, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 3-5- 
nerved at the very obliquely cordate, auricled base, penni-nerved 
above it ; 3-6 pair nerves above the basal nerves. Nervules 
arching. Petiole £-Jin. Fruiting spikes stoutly peduncled, 
sub-erect, conico-cylindric, l-2in. long, -jin. diam., broadest at 
the base, obtuse, forming a fleshy cone of innumerable fruits, 
£in. diam. The alternate nerves of the main portion of the 
leaf all starting from the midrib are very characteristic of the 
species (J. D. Hooker). 
Uses:— It partakes of the stimulant and carminative proper- 
ties of Black and Long Pepper, but does not appear to possess 
any special claim to notice. Its use in hremorrhoidal affections 
is noticed in the “ Taleef Shereef,” p. 66. No. 340. (Ph. Ind.) 
1080. P. sylvaticum , Roxb., h.f.b.i., v. 84 ; 
Roxb., 52. 
Vern. : — Pahftri pipal (B.). 
Habitat Upper and Lower Assam ; jheels of Bengal. 
A low, creeping herb, glabrous. Stem flaccid, angular, suc- 
culent, several feet long, contracting much in drying. 
Branches short, erect or ascending, flexuous. Leaves rarely 
puberulous on the nerves beneath, lower 3 by 2|-3in., nerves 
slender ; upper as long but narrower ; membranous, long- 
petioled, broadly ovate or ovate-cordate, acuminate, 5-7- 
nerved from the base or the linear pair, higher, inserted. Upper 
leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, shorter-petioled. Petioles 
of lower leaves 2-4in. Spikes shortly peduncled. Male spikes 
slender, 2-3in., clothed with peltate bracts. Stamens generally 
4 (Roxburgh finds 2 ). Anthers reniform ; cells confluent, 
dehiscing over the crown ; fruiting females always erect, 
|-1 Jin. Fruit free, -Hin. diam- 
