1338 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
third or basal part of the spadix. Perianth absent, male and 
female flowers contiguous, i. e., having no neuters between. 
Male-Stamens numerous, dense. Anthers 2-celled, sessile, 
close-packed, compressedly cylindrical; rounded at the top; 
straw-coloured ; glabrous. Connective, longitudinal, fleshy, 
separating the two loculi. Pollen globose, lemon-yellow, or 
almost orange-coloured, “ vermiform,” says Trimen. Female 
flowers: — pistils numerous; somewhat loosely and spirally 
arranged ; stigma 3-lobed, often 2-lobed, all on the same level ; 
much thickened and expanded, slightly papillose, cream-col oui - - 
ed or yellowish. Style crimson or purplish, i-^in. long, 
much longer than ovary, deciduous. Ovary, 2-rarely 3-celled, 
with only 1 ovule ; purple or deep crimson ; broad, globose. 
Ovules attached to the inner angle of the carpel at its base, 
ascending, ovoid, anatropous. “ Berries 2-3-seeded, red,” says 
Trimen. But not known ever to have developed in the West- 
tern Peninsula and the Dekkan, where it is much cultivated for 
its tubers. (K. R. K.) 
It must be noted here that the wild or uncultivated variety of Amorpho- 
phallus eampanulatus is entirely different from the tuber of Amorphophallus 
sylvaticus* (Kunth),'Avbich is also locally named Jangly-Suran, and described 
by Dr. Dymock under that name in the Pharmaceutical Journal fp. 172, vol, vii, 
3rd Series). Dr. Dymock Avas well aware of this fact at the time he first des- 
cribed this plant, for he has since repeated his remarks in his later works,— viz., 
‘‘The Vegetable Materia Medica of Western India” and “The Pharmacographia 
Indica "—that “ it is probable the two plants are distinct,” for he adds that 
“it is probable the roots of t(ie wild Amorphpallus camapnulatns form a part , 
of the commercial article known as Madanmast, which is the tuberous root 
of Amorphophallus sylvaticus, peeled, cut into slices and strung upon a 
string.” (K. R. K.) 
Uses : — The corm (or -tuber) and the seeds are used as irri- 
tants and relieve the pain of rheumatic swellings when applied 
externally. It is considered a hot carminative in the form of a 
pickle. The tubers contain a large quantity of farinaceous matter, 
mixed with acrid poisonous juice, which may be extracted by 
washing or heat. When fresh, it acts as an acrid stimulant 
and expectorant, and is used in acute rheumatism. 
♦Synoynms. — (I) Synantherias sylvatica (Schott.) — Hooker’s Flora Br. Ind., 
art XIX, page 617 : (II) Arum silvaticum (Warden and Pedler's article on 
he nature of the toxic principle of the Aroidefe.— Journal As; Soc., Bengal, 
vol. LVU, part 2, No. 1.) 
