1132 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS, 
angles ; spines in pair at the nodes. Leaves few or wanting. 
Involucres Jin. diam., yellow or- green-yellow, hemispheric, in 
compact sessile, 3-fid cymes, from the sinus between the 
nodes ; styles free nearly to the base. Cocci compressed, glabrous. 
Capsule fm. diam. 
Use-. — The acrid, milky juice possesses cathartic and anthel- 
mintic properties (Watt). 
1121. E. Thovipsoniana, Boiss., h.f.b.i., v., 260. 
Vern : — Flirtiz (Kashmir). 
Habitat : — Western Tibet, Leh and Gilgit. 
Perennial herb, quite glabrous. Stems a foot high, simple, 
sparingly leafy, from a stout perennial stock, unbranched, scaly 
at the base. Leaves J-Jin., or even f-1 Jin. broad, coriaceous, dull 
yellow when dry, upper and under surface alike ; sessile ellip- 
tic or ovate-obtuse or sub-acute ; nerves few, obscure, ascending, 
floral, broader, iuvolucral, 2 sub-orbicular. Rays 3-6, longer than 
the floral leaves. Involucres campanulate, glabrous, without, with 
4 hairy lines within ; Jin. broad ; lobes small, fimbriate ; styles 
long, slender ; glands sub-stipitate, transversely oblong. Capsule 
shortly stipitate, Jin. long, Jin. diam. ; cocci not separate by a 
deep sulcus, oblong. Seeds smooth, pale, oblong, Jin. long ; 
caruncle small, peltate. A very distinct species. 
Uses : — The crushed root-stocks are employed by the natives 
of Kuram as detergents for washing the hair, and, when boiled, 
are given as purgatives (Aitchison). 
In Kashmir, the root-stock is employed to adulterate “ hut ” 
(Saussurea Lappa) and is called by the Kashmiris “Hirtiz.” 
The stem, root and leaves are 'said to be used medicinally. 
(Aitchison). 
1122. E. helioscopia, Linn., h.f.b.i., v. 262. 
Vern. : — Hirruseeah ; Mahabi (H.) ; Gandabuti, dudai, kulfa- 
dodak, chatriwal (Pb.). 
Habitat: — Throughout the Punjab plains and the Siwalik 
tract, ascending to 7,000 feet in the outer Himalaya. Intro- 
duced into the Nilghiri hills. 
