1272 
INDIAN MEMCINAI. fl-ANTS. 
Use: — It is said to be used medicinally. Further informa- 
tion is required. 
1256. I. nepalensis , Don. h.f.b.i., vi., 273. 
Vern. : — Chalnumdar, sosan, shoti, chiluchi (Pb. and U. 
P. Himalayan names.) 
Habitat : — Western and Eastern Himalaya. 
Root-stock stouj, prostrate and creeping, with densely fibrous 
sheaths and copious, fleshy, finger-like roots. Stem J-lft. 
Leaves linear, 6in. long at flowering time, elongating to 24 by 
iin., streaked with purple lines and dots. Spathes 1-3-fid, 
l£-2in. long, outer valves thin, green, persistent; pedicels very 
short. Perianth-tube slender, ljin., limb l-l^in., pale lilac; 
blade of sepals oblong, half an inch broad, as long as the claw ; 
crests narrow, yellow. Petal oblong, |in. broad. Style arms 
lin. and less ; crests large-toothed. Capsule oblong, 3-gonous, 
with broad, flat sides and a long slender beak, 1-lJin., enclosed 
in the persistent spathes (J. D. Hooker.) 
Uses : — The root is described as having properties similar to 
costus, and appears to have been regarded by both Hindus and 
Arabs as a kind of costus. ® ® ® Iris root is considered by 
Mahometan hakims to be deobstruent, aperient, diuretic, especial- 
ly useful in removing bilious obstructions. It is also used exter- 
nally as an application to small sores and pimples. From the 
large number of diseases in which this drug is recommended, it 
would appear to be regarded as a panacea. (Pharmacogr. 
Ind. III. 452.) 
1257. I. kumaOnensis, Wall., h.f.b.i., ah. 274. 
Vern. Pi£z, karkar, tezma (Pb.). 
Habitat : — Temperate and Alpine N.-W. Himalaya. 
A dwarf species. Root-stock stout, prostrate and creeping. 
Steins 2- 12in., crowded ; outer basal sheaths fibrous. Leaves 
linear, 12-14 by |in. Spathes 2-3in., 1-fid ; valves lanceolate, 
ventricose. Pedicels very short. Flower-heads solitary. 
Perianth-tube 2- 2^in. long, limb l2-2in., bright lilac. Blade of 
sepals fin. broad, spreading, cuneate, obovate, as long as the 
