N. 0. AMARYLLIDE*. 
1275 
equitant. Inflorescence branched ; sheaths membranous ; spathes 
several-fid, subscarious; bracts scarious; flowers pedicelled. 
Perianth-tube very short ; segments oblong, spreading, subequal. 
Stamens inserted at the base of perianth ; filaments filiform, 
anthers linear basifixed. Ovary obovoid. Style filiform ; arms 
elongate ; tips reniform, stigmatic. Capsule obovoid, membra- 
nous, loculicidal ; valves reflexed, leaving the seed-bearing axis 
persistent and free. Seeds subglobose ; testa lax, shining, fleshy 
within. (J. D. Hooker). 
Uses •— Loureiro states that the roots are used medicinally in 
Cochin-China, and that they have aperient and resolvent proper- 
ties and purify the blood of gross humors, being specially 
useful in Cynanche. According to Rheede, it is used as an 
alexipharmic in Malabar, being given to those who have been 
bitten by the cobra, and to cattle who have fed upon poisonous 
plants. 
N. 0. AMARYLLIDE^J. 
1260. Agave americana, Linn., h.f.b.i., vi., 
277 ; Roxb. 296. 
Vern. : — Rakas patta, banskeora, barakanwar, kantala, 
(Hind.); Jungli or Bilati-ananash, bilatipat, koyan, murga 
(Beng.) ; Jangli-kunvara, parkanda (Bomb.); Rakas-patta 
(Dec.) ; Anaik-kat razhai, pithakalabuntha (Tam.) ; Rakashi- 
matalu (Tel.) ; Wilyatu kaitalu (Pb.) ; Janglikunvara (Guz.) ; 
Panam-katrazua (Mai.) ; Bhuttale budukattalenaru (Kan.). 
Habitat : — Originally a native of America, naturalized in 
many parts of India. 
Leaves lanceolate, many, in a lax rosette, from a short stout 
prostrate or ascending trunk which is usually hidden by their 
thick bases, deep green, often variegated with white or pale 
yellow longitudinal stripes or borders, sometimes rather 
glaucous ; at base spreading, then ascending, tips sometimes 
recurved, 4 to 6ft. long, and as much as half a foot broad 
above the middle ; sharply constricted just above the base ; 
margins armed with strong dark brown prickles, mostly pointing 
