M E D I C I N A L P L A N T S (Indigenous and Exotic) Used in Ceylon P A R T V RUTACEAE-ZYGOPHYLLACEAE with 76 illustrations including 12 colour plates D. M. A. JAYAWEERA B.Sc, M.Sc. (Lond.), F.L.S. Former Superintendent, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya Sri Lanka A PUBUCATION OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL OF SRI LANKA COLOMBO, 1982 Published by The National Science Council of Sri Lanka 4115, Maitland Place Colombo 7, Sri Lanka © National Science Council Printed in Sri Lanka by M. D. Gunasena & Co. (Printers) Ltd. ' 924-4/79 ii INTRODUCTION Part Five of the Medicinal Plants used in Ceylon contains 22 families from Rutaceae to Zygophyllaceae including 124 species. Seventy-six of the species are illustrated, of which twelve are in colour. Three endemic species, Madhuca fulva '(Thw.) J.F.Macbr., Madhuca neriifolia (Thw.) H.J.Lam. and Amomum masticatorium Thw. are included for the first time as medicinal plants. There are about ten species described in this volume which cannot be grown in Ceylon. The bark of Melaleuca leucadendra Linn., Cajeput Tree, is used as a substitute for Symplocos racemosa Roxb., and seed of Nigella sativa Linn, for seed of Carum carvi Linn., the genuine "Kaluduru". Acknowledgements: My grateful thanks are due to the National Science Council of Sri Lanka for financing the publication of the five volumes of this work. I wish to thank all officers of the Department of Agriculture who assisted me in the successful completion of this work and Dr. M. A. Chandraratne, the Director, in particular, who was of immense help in giving me every encouragement throughout and providing me with library and Herbarium facilities, including official transport. I am grateful to Mrs. Nimala Amarasuriya, Scientific Officer of the National Science Council for her valuable suggestions and editorial contributions and B. J. Premasuriya, Draughtman of the Department of Agriculture, for the text-figures and drawings. D. M. A. JAYAWEERA iii CONTENTS Introduction 99. RUTACEAE 1. Acronychia pedunculata (Linn.) Miq. 2. Aegle marmelos Correa ... 3. Atalantia ceylanica (Am.) Oliv. 4. Atalantia missionis Oliv. ... 5. Citrus aurantifolia Swingle 6. Citrus aurantium Linn. 7. Citrus medica Linn. 8. Citrus sinensis Osbeck 9. Clausena indica Oliv. 10. Euodia lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) Merr. 11. Feronia limonia (Linn.) Swingle 12. Glycosrnis pentaphylla (Retz.) Coirea 13. Micromelum ceylanicum Swingle 14. Murraya koenigii Spreng. 15. Paramignya monophylla. Wight 16. Peganum harmala Linn. 17. Ruta graveolens Linn. 18. Toddalia asiatica Lamk. 19. Zanthoxylum tetraspermum W. & A. 100. SALVADORACEAE 1. Salvadora persica Linn. ... 101. SANTALACEAE 1. Santalum album Linn. 102. SAPINDACEAE 1. Allophylus cobbe (Linn.) Blume 2. Allophylus zeylanicus Linn. 3. Cardiospermum microcarpum H.B.K. 4. Euphoria longana Lamk.... 5. Sapindus emarginatus Vahl 6. Sapindus trifoliatus Linn. ... 7. Schleichera oleosa Merr. ... 103. SAPOTACEAE 1. Madhuca fulva (Thw.) J. F. Macbr. ... 2. Madhuca longifolia (Linn.) J. F. Macbr. 3. Madhuca neriifolia (Thw.) H. J. Lam. 4. Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard 5. Mimusops elengi Linn. ... 104. SCROPHULARIACEAE vi 1. Adenosma capitatum Benth. 2. Artanema longifolium (Linn.) Vatke 3. Bacopa monniera (Linn.) Wettst. 4. Centranthera indica (Linn.) Gamble ... 5. Limnophila conferta Benth. 6. Picrorrhiza kurrooa Benth. 7. Torenia travancorica Gamble 105. SELAGINELLACEAE 1. Selaginella wightii Hieron 106. SIMAROUBACEAE 1. Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.) Als. 2. Balanites aegyptiaca Del. 3. Brucea javanica (Linn.) Merr. 4. Samadera indica Gaertn. 107. SOLANACEAE 1. Datura metel Linn. 2. Datura suaveolens Humb. & Bonpl. 3. Hyoscyamus niger Linn. ... 4. Solanum ferox Linn. 5. Solanum indicum Linn. ... 6. Solanum nigrum Linn. 7. Solanum surattense Burm. f. 8. Solanum trilobatum Linn. 9. Solanum verbascifolium Linn. 10. Solanum xanthocarpum var. Jacquini Thw. 11. Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal ... 108. STERCULIACEAE 1. Helecteres isora Linn. 2. Pentapetes phoenicea Linn. 3. Pterospermum canescens Roxb. 4. Sterculia balanghas Linn. 5. Sterculia urens Roxb. 109. SYMPLOCACEAE 1. Symplocos loha Buch.—Ham. 2. Symplocos racemosa Roxb. 110. THYMELAEACEAE 1. Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. 2. Gnidia eriocephala Meissn. • 3. Gyrinups walla Gaertn. ... PAGB vii 1. Corchorus capsularis Linn. ... ... ... ... 120 2. Corchorus olitorius Linn. ... ... ... 121 3. Grewia polygama Roxb. ... ... ... ... 123 4. Grewia tiliifolia Vahl. ... ... ... ... .... 125 112. ULMACEAE 1. Celtis cinnamomea Lindl. ... ... ... ... 126 2. Gironniera cuspidata (Bl.) Kurz ... ... ... ... 127 3. Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. ... ... ... 128 113. UMBELLIFERAE 1. Apium graveolens Linn. ... ... ... ••• 129 2. Carum carvi Linn. ... ... ... ... ... 131 3. Carum copticum Benth. & Hook. f. ... ... ... 133 4. Centella asiatica Urb. ... ... ... ... ••• 135 5. Coriandrum sativum Linn. ... ... ... ••• 137 6. Cuminum cyminum Linn. ... ... ... ... 139 7. Ferula asafoetida Karst. ... ... ... ... ... 141 8. Foeniculum vulgare Gaertn. ... ... ... ... 145 ' 9 . Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. ... ... ... ••• 147 10. Peucedanum graveolens Hiern. ... ... ... ... 149 11. Pimpinella anisum Linn. ... ... ... ... ••• 150 12. Trachyspermum roxburghianum (DC.) Craib. ... ... ... 151 114. URTICACEAE 1. Girardenia zeylanica Decne ... ... ... ••• 153 115. VALERIANACEAE 1. Nardostachys jatamansi DC. ... ... ... ••• 154 2. Valeriana wallichii DC. ... ... ... I? 5 116. VERBENACEAE 1. Callicarpa tomentosa (Linn.) Murr. ... ••• ••• 157 2. Clerodendrum inerme (Linn.) Gaertn. ... ... ••• 159 3. Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. ... ... ... ••• 161 4. Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Moon ... ... ••• 163 5. Gmelina arborea Roxb. ... ... ... ••• ••• 165 6. Gmelina asiatica Linn. ... ... ... ... ••• 167 7. Phyla nodiflora (Linn.) Greene ... ... ... ••• 169 8. Premna herbacea Roxb. ... ... ... ••• ••• 170 9. Premna latifolia Roxb. ... ... ••• ••• ••• 171 10.- Premna serratifolia Linn.... ... ... ... ••• 173 11. Premna tomentosa Willd. ... ••• ••• ••• I 7 5 12. Tectona grandis Linn. f. ... ... .... ••• ••• 177 13. Vitex leucoxylon Linn. f. ... ••• ••• ••• 179 111. T1LIACEAE PAGB 14. Vitex n êgundo Linn. ... ... ... ... ... 181 15. Vitex peduncularis Wall. ... ... ... ... ... .183 16. Vitextrifolia Linn. ... ... ... ... ... 185 117. VITACEAE 1. Ampelocissus indica Planch. ... ... ... ... 187 2. Cayratiapedata (Lam.) Juss. ... ... ... ... 189 3. Cissus quadrangular is Linn. ... ... ... 191 4. Vitis vinifera Linn. ... ... ... ... ... 193 118. XYRIDACEAE 1. Xyris indica Linn. ... ... ... ... 195 119. ZINGIBERACEAE 1. Amomum masticatorium Thw. ... ... ... ... 197 2. Costusspeciosus (Koen.) Smith ... ... ... ... 199 3. Curcuma aromatica Salisb. ... ... ... ... 200 4. Curcuma domestica Valet. ... ... ... ... 201 5. Curcuma zedoaria (Berg.) Roscoe ... ... ... ... 203 6. Elettaria repens (Sonner.) Baill. ... ... ... 205 7. Globba bulbifera Roxb. ... ... ... ... ... 207 8. Kaempferia galanga Linn. ... ... ... ... 209 9. Kaempferia rotunda Linn. ... ... ... ... 211 10. Languas calcarata Merr. ... ... ... ... ... 213 11. Languas chinensis Koenig ... ... ... ... 214 12. Languas galanga (Linn.) Stuntz ... ... ... ... 215 13. Zingiber officinale Roscoe ... ... ... ... 217 14. Zingiber zerumbet (Linn.) Smith ... ... ... ... 221 120. ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 1. Tribulus terrestris Linn. ... .... ... ... ... 223 INDEX TO PLANTS ACCORDING TO THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES AND SPECIFIC DISEASES .... .... ... ... 225 INDEX TO SINHALESE NAMES, .... .... .... .... 240 INDEX TO TAMIL NAMESj .... .... .... .... 242 INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMESy .... .... .... 245 REFERENCES .... .... .... .... 253 viii MEDICINAL PLANTS Fio. 456. Acronychia pedunculata. A, branch with leaves and inflorescences, fc, flower lateral view. C, longitudinal section of flower. D, transverse section of ovary. E, fruit. 99. RUTAGEAE 1. - Anonychia pedunculate (Linn.) Miq. Fl. ind. Bat. Suppl. 542. 1860. (Fig. 456). AnonychialaurifoliaBL—CyminosmapedunculataDC.—Cyminosma ankendaGserXn—Clausena simplicifolia Dalz—Jambolifera pedunculata Linn.—-Gela lanceolata Lour.—Selas lanceolatum Spreng. Engl. Claw-flowered Laurel, Laka Wood; Sinh. Ankenda; Tarn. Kattukanni, Muttainari. A small tree with a pale smooth bark and glabrous young branches; leaves simple, opposite or some alternate, exstipulate, 7.5—12.5 cm long, oval or oblong, acute at base, usually shortly acuminate, obtuse, entire, glabrous and shining, dark green, petioles about 1.2 cm long; flowers regular, polygamous, pale yellowish green, 1.8 cm long on long pedicels, loosely arranged in pyramidal, divaricate, corymbose cyme's on long straight axillary peduncles; sepals 4, fused into a 4-lobed calyx, lobes short and broad; petals 4, strap-shaped, 1.2 cm long, acute, inflexed at the tip, hairy within at base, subpersistent; stamens 8, shorter than petals, 4 inner rather shorter, filaments slightly dilated at base, anthers versatile, disc large, tomentose; ovary superior, tomentose, sunk on top of the disc, 4-locular with 2 ovules in each loculus, style very short, stigma 4-lobed; fruit indehiscent, globular, 1.2—1.8 cm long, glabrous, rough with immersed glands, harder in the centre but with no distinct stone, 4-chambered. Flowers from February to April. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen. pi. 6, fig. 4. 1868—1873; Wight, 111. Ind. Bot. 1: pi. 65.1840; Gaertner, Fruct. et Sem. Plant. 1: pi. 58, fig. 6.1788; Vahl, Sym. Bot. 3: pi. 61. 1790; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 190. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Malaya, Ceylon and Philippine Islands. It is common in Ceylon up to 5,000 feet elevation. India. Sikkim: T. Thomson, 1857; Assam; Jenkins; East Bengal; Griffith 1190, Kew Distribution 1861—1862; Nilghiri & Kurg: G. Thomson; Pen. Ind. Or., Wight 309; Wight 362, Kew Distribution 1866—7. Ceylon. Central Pro v., Kadugannawa, Alwis, Sept. 1922; Hunnas- giriya, / . M. Silva 55, June 1926. Uva Prov., Namunukula, / . M. Silva, March 1907; J. C. Willis, OCT. 1910. Tenasserim and Andaman Islands. Heifer 1190, Kew Distribution 1861—2. Philip­ pine Islands. Palawan: Cenabre 29991, July-Aug. 1925. Composition. The leaves of this tree contain an aromatic oil. Uses. The bark is used externaliy on swellings, fractures, sores and ulcers and taken internally as a purgative. In Indo-China, it is prescribed as a tonic for scabies. 3 MEDICINAL PLANTS Fio. 457. Aegle marmelos. A, branch with leaves, open flower and flower buds. B, stamen. C, calyx and pistil. D. longitudinal section of pistil. E, transverse section of ovary. F, trans­ verse section of fruit. G, mature fruit from outside. H, seed. I, longitudinal section of seed. B—E, enlarged. RUTACEAE 2. Aegle marmelos Correa in Trans. Linn. Soc. 5: 223. 1800. .(Fig. 457). Feronia pellucida Roth.—Crataeva marmelos Linn.—Crataeva religiosa Ainslie.non Vahl. Engl. Bael Fruit Tree, Bilva; Sink Beli; Tarn. Aluvigam, Iyalbudi, Kuvilam, Mavilangai, Vilvam, Villuvam; Hindi Bel; Sans. Adhararuha, Asholam, Atimangaliya, Bilva, Duraruha, Gandhapatra, Goharitaki, Hridyagandha, Kantakadhya, Kapitana, Karka- tavha, Lakshmiphala, Mahakapithakhya, Mahaphala, Malura, Mangalya, Nilamallika, Patrashreshtha, Pitaphala, Putivata, Sadaphala, Samirasara, Sangrahi, Satyadharma, Satyaphala, Shailapatra, Shailusha, Shalatu, Shalya, Shandilya, Shivadruma, Shiveshtha, Shriphala, Sitanuna, Somaharitaki, Sunitika, Tripatra, Trishakhapatra, Trishika, Vilva. A tree about 10—13 m in height with short, strong, sharp, spiny branches,2.5 cm or more long in axils of leaves, bark bluish-grey with irregular furrows; leaves alternate, compound with one pair of shortly stalked opposite leaflets and a larger long-petioled terminal one, leaflets 2.5—5 cm long, ovate or oval-ovate, abrupt or tapering at base, somewhat attenuated towards the blunt apex, very shallowly serrato-crenate, smooth, thin, midrib prominent beneath; flowers regular, bisexual, pale greenish white, 1.8 cm wide, sweet-scented, stalked, solitary or in few- flowered, lax, erect, axillary or terminal cymes; calyx shallow, with 5 short, broad teeth, pubescent outside; petals 5, oblong-oval, blunt, thick, pale greenish white, dotted with glands, imbricate, spreading; stamens numerous, sometimes coherent in bundles, hypogynous, with short filaments half as long as the linear anthers; disc none or very small; ovary superior, oblong-ovoid, slightly tapering into the thick, short style which is again somewhat thickened upward, stigma capitate, axis of ovary wide, loculi numerous, 8—20, small, arranged in a circle with numerous ovules in • each loculus; fruit globose, 5—12.5 cm diam., pericarp smooth, greenish-yellow, about 3 mm thick, hard, filled with soft mucilaginous tissue; seeds numerous, compressed, surrounded by slimy, transparent mucous, testa white, covered with woolly hairs, immersed in the mucous, exalbuminous. Flowers in May. Illustrations. Roxburgh, PI. Corom. 2: pi. 142. 1798; Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi. 16. 1838; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. pi. 161. 1868—1873; Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pi. 55 1880; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 201. 1933. Distribution. Occurs in dry hilly places throughout the warmer parts of India and Burma, and often cultivated in the mid and low-country in Ceylon. India. Ranipur, Singh 6, May 1924; Dehra Dun, Singh 22, July 1924; Calcutta, Bot. Gard., Wallich 6379F. Ceylon. North Western Prov., Puttalam, cultivated, Thwaites CP. 1206; Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., Herb. Peradeniya, 1878. Composition. The leaves of this tree contain the alkaloids, aegelenine, aegelin, skimmianine. The wood contains dictamine and the bark-fagarine. The active principle in the fruit pulp is marmelosin. The fresh leaves on distillation yield a faint yellowish green volatile oil with a peculiar aromatic odour and slightly bitter taste. Uses. The dried pulp of the unripe fruit is given along with other ingredients for dysentery, piles, dyspepsia, jaundice, scrofula, indigestion and chronic fever. The root bark is used in the form of a decoction for intermittent fever, hypochondria, melancholia and palpitation of the heart. It checks diarrhoea and gastric troubles in children. The fresh juice of the leaves is given for jaundice and anasarca. The ripe fruit is a laxative and prevents the growth of piles. In Cambodia, it is prescribed for tuberculosis and hepatitis. A decoction of the leaves is given for asthmatic complaints and the sweet-scented extract from flowers is used as an eye lotion. A refreshing drink is prepared from the ripe fruits. MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 3 . . Atalantia ceylanica (Arn.) Oliver in Journ. Linn. Soc. 5: (Suppl. 2) 25. 1861. (Fig. 458). Rissoa zeylanica Arn.—Sclerostylis zeylanica Wight.—Sclerostylis arnottiana Wight.—Limonia monophylla Linn. Sinh. Yaki-naran; Tarn. Pey-kuruntu. A much branched bush with very sharp, stout, axillary spines 0.6—2.5 cm long, smooth brown bark and glabrous young parts; leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, very variable, 3—7.5 cm long, lanceolate or oval-oblong or somewhat ovate, rounded at base, emarginate or 2-lobed at apex, entire, coriaceous veiny, petioles short thick and glabrous; flowers regular, bisexual, white, fragrant, about 1.2 cm long, crowded in short, finely pubescent corymbose or racemose cymes shorter than leaves, pedicels slender and glabrous, bracts minute; sepals 4, fused into a 4-lobed calyx, lobes broad, shallow, finely ciliate, often obscure; petals 4, distinct, imbricate, oval with abroad claw, obtuse, thick, slightly concave, glandular; stamens 8, alternate ones larger, quite distinct, filaments flat, wider than anthers, anthers cordate-ovate, apiculate; ovary superior, sessile, smooth, 2-locular with 2 collateral ovules in each loculus, style short, stout, stigma clavate; fruit a globular-ovoid, 2—4 seeded berry, 1.2—1.8 cm long. Flowers between March and August. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen. pi. 46. 1868—73; Burmann, Thes. Zeyl./?/. 65, fig. 1. 1737; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in the warmer regions of India along the Western Ghats and Ceylon. It is rather common in the low-country in Ceylon. Colombo, Kalutara, Puttalam, Ratmale, Jaffna, Kekirawa, Bibile, etc. Ceylon. Central Prov., Katugastota, Lester-Smith 9731, May 1932; Siyambalagastenne, Alston, Sept. 1926. Uva Prov., Bibile Dist., / . M. de Silva, Oct. 1925. without locality Thwaites CP. 1196. Uses. The juice of the leaves of this plant is used in the preparation of pills adminis­ tered for catarrh, bronchitis and other chest complaints. The root is used in the treatment of ague. M E D I C I N A L P L A N T S 8 PLATE X X I . Atakpiia missionis showing a branch with leaves, flowers and fruits. RUTACEAE 9 4. Atalantia misstonls Oliv. in Journ. Linn. Soc. 5 (Suppl.) 25. 1861. (Plate XXI). Limonia missionis Wight.—Chilocalyx ellipticus Turcz. Sink Pamburu; Tarn. Kuruntu. A much branched small tree with grey bark, rugged smooth branchlets armed with short, sharp spines 0.6—1.2 cm long; leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, large, 6.3—10 cm long, broadly oblong or obovate-oval, somewhat tapering at base, obtuse or rounded at apex, entire or shallowly crenate, undulate, glabrous coriaceous, pellucid-punctate, veins very obscure; flowers regular, bisexual, white fragrant, numerous, 1.2 cm long in erect, glabrous, axillary panicles 2.5—6.3 cm long; sepals 4 or 5, fused into a 4 or 5-lobed small calyx, lobes acute; petals 4 or 5, distinct, imbricate, narrowly oval, spreading or recurved, soon falling; stamens 8 or 10, quite distinct, filaments slender, anthers narrowly oblong; ovary superior, small, glabrous on a short gynophore, 4 ox 5-locular with 2 ovules in each loculus, style long stout, thickened upwards; fruit a 4 or 5-chambered, globular berry about 2.5 cm long with a thick rind, each chamber with one or two globose seeds embedded in a glutinous mucilage. Flowers in April. Illustrations. Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi 175. 1839; Beddome, FJor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen. pi 46. 1874; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India specially in the Madras Presidency and Ceylon. It is rather common in the low-country dry regions in Ceylon. Batticatoa, Jaffna, Panadura, etc. India. Pen. Ind. Or., Wight 323; Wailich 6358C. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaiies CP. 1194. Uses. The leaves of this tree are used on swellings, fractures, piles and fistula. Internally, a decoction of the leaves is given for phlegm and puerperal diseases'. MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 5. Citrus aurantifolia Swingle in Journ. Wash. Acad. Sc. 3: 465. 1913. (Fig. 459). Ltmpnia aurantifolia Christm.—Limonia acidissima Houtt.—Limonia spinosum Mill.—Citrus acida Moon.—Citrus medica var.— acris Martyn.—Citrus medica var.—acida Brandis.—Citrus lima Lunan—Citrus javanica Bl.—Citrus notissima Blanco—Citrus limetta var.—aromatica Wester—Citrus excelsa Wester. Engl. Acid Lime, Sour Lime; Sink. Dehi, Hindehi; Tarn. Ambu, Ambuvagini, Arunam, Desikai, Elumichai, Eli-michumpallam, Iligusam, Murukku; Hindi Limee, Neembu; Sans. Amlajambir, Amlasara, Dantaghata, Jambira, Jantumari, Limpaka Nimbuka, Rochana, Shdhona, Vanhibija, Vanhidipya, Vijapura. A small glabrous tree with stiff sharp spines which are simple by the side of buds: leaves simple, alternate, glandular dotted, elliptic-oblong, 5—7.5 cm long, blunt or sometimes rounded at apex, petioles short, narrowly winged, articulated at the top; flowers regular, bisexual, solitary or mostly clustered in the axils of leaves, usually about 1.2 cm long, white, fragrant throughout; sepals 5, fused into a 5-lobed calyx; petals 5, valvate, recurved; stamens 15 or more, arranged in a few bundles inserted at the base of a thick annular disc; ovary superior, abrupt at apex, 8—15-locular with large deciduous style, ovules many in each loculus; fruit round-oval to oval and small, 3.7—6.5 cm diam., exceedingly sour. Illustration. Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. A native of Asia and much cultivated in India, Ceylon, Malaya, W. Indies, Florida, etc. Ceylon. Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., cultivated, Herb. Peradeniya, Feb. 1889; Uva Prov., Bibile, Simpson 9617, April .1932. Composition. The juice of the lime contains citric acid, malic and tartaric acids in small quantities, pectin, sugar and traces of other salts. Uses. The juice of the lime checks bilious vomiting and is an antiseptic particularly for cleaning wounds and is applied externally for snake bites. In Malaya, the root of the tree is given in the form of a decoction for dysentery, the pounded leaves are applied for headache and the juice of the fruit given for coughs and stomach-ache. In West Africa, lime juice is used as a leather dye. With oil it is used as a vermifuge in Senegal and Sierra Leone. The roasted fruit is applied to chronic sores and yaws. Lime juice is extensively used for flavouring foods and as a chilled drink. The fruit is often salted, dried in the sun and preserved in its own juice as' a pickle. In Ceylon, it is an old custom to sprinkle juice of roasted lime on the body and bathing after attending funerals. Boiled lime is also used as a shampoo. 11 MEDICINAL PLANTS Fio. 460. Citrus aurantium. A, branch with leaves, flowers and flower buds. B, flower with petals and half the stamens removed to show the pistil. C, longitudinal section of ovary and calyx. D, petal. E, transverse section of fruit. F, seed. G, longitudinal section of seed showing the testa cotyledon and embryo. H, external view of fruit. RUTACEAE 6. Citrus aurantium Linn. Sp. PI. 783. 1753. (Fig. 460). Citrus florida Salisb.—Citrus buxifolia Poir— Citrus vulgaris Risso—Citrus aurantium sta.—bigaradia Brandis—Citrus bigaradia Loisel. Engl. Seville or Sour orange; Sink. Embul-dodan; Tarn. Kadarai, Kadanarttai Nandam, Narangam, Narandam, Narattai Sans. Brihatjambhira, Nagaranga. A glabrous tree of medium size, 7—10 m high with long but not very sharp spines; leaves of medium size, ovate-oblong, 7.5—10 cm long, shortly or bluntly acuminate, sinuate or crenate, petioles broadly winged; flowers of medium size, single or several in the axils of leaves, regular, bisexual, white and very fragrant; sepals 5, fused into a shallow calyx-tube, segments very short and pointed; petals 5, free, valvate, strap-shaped, recurved; stamens 20 or more, arranged in a few bundles round the pistil; ovary superior, globular, 10—12 locular with a large deciduous style; fruit globose or slightly flattened endwise, about 7.5 cm diam, rough, pulp acid and membranes bitter, core hollow at maturity, segments 10—12. Illustrations. Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi. 957. 1843—1845; Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pi. 52.1880; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Probably a native of Cochin-China and cultivated in India, Ceylon, Africa and Philippine Islands. Ceylon. Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., Herb. Peradeniya, April 1889. Uva 1 Prov., Bibile, Exp. Station, Simpson 9619, April 1932. Philippine Islands. Mindanao. Davavo Prov., Ramos and Edano 49220, March-April 1927. Composition. The oil distilled from the flowers of this tree contains d-limonene, geraniol and methyl anthranilate. The rind of the fruit yields a volatile oil, a gum-resin, a fixed oil 8 -limonene and three glucosides hesperidin, isohesperidin, aurantiamarin, pentamenthoxy flavone, auranetin and tannin. The juice of the fruit contains mucilage, sugar, citric acid and inorganic salts, while the leaf has ascorbic acid and 1 -stachyd rine. ^ Uses. The mature fruit is used with pepper and rock salt as a throat swab on inflamed glands and tonsils to draw out phlegm. The juice mixed with sugar of Borassus flabellifer and sugarcane juice is given for chronic cough. In Vietnam, the fruit is used as a diaphoretic and purgative, while in the Philippines it is an ingredient in food given to invalids in febrile, inflammatory and scorbutic conditions. The fruit is chiefly used in the manufacture of marmalade. 13 MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 7. Citrus medica Linn. Sp. PI. 782. 1753. (Fig. 461). Citrus aurantium var.—medica W.&.A. Engl. Citron; Sinh. Lapnaran, Maha-ratadehi, Sideran; Tarn. Kogilacham, Kommattimadalai, Maruchagam, Sidalai; Hindi Maphal; Sans. Amlakeshara, Begapura, Bijaka, Bijaphalaka, Bijapur, Bijapurna, Dantura chhada, Jantughna, Madhuramphala, Mahaphala, Matulunga, Phalapura, Rochanaphala, Ruchaka, Sukeshar, Supura, Vijapura. A small tree or shrub about 3m high with irregular, straggling, short, thick branches, bark whitish grey, young shoots purplish to violet coloured; leaves simple, alternate, large, lamina 12.5—15 cm long, broadly oblong or oval-oblong, tapering to the base, bluntly crenate- serrate, stiff but not thick, gland-dotted, dark green above, pale beneath, petioles very short, not winged, axillary spines large; flowers unisexual, regular, usually in clusters (3—10), pink flowers, buds purplish; calyx shallow, persistent with 5 spreading teeth; petals 5, oblong, spreading, white above, strongly tinged with purplish pink externally; stamens 20—40, filaments nearly as long as petals, separate or more or less united into fours, hypogynous; ovary superior, supported on and surrounded at the base by a large, firm, rounded disc, 10-locular with several descending ovules in each loculus, fruit very large, oblong, blunt, not mammilate at apex, surface usually tabulated and rugged, pale or dark bright yellow, rind very thick and hard, pulp scanty and pale. Illustrations. Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pi. 53. 1880; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India along the foot of the Himalayas,Western Ghats, Khasia mountains and Chittagong. It is cultivated in S. Europe, Mediterranean regions and in the hill-country gardens in Ceylon. India. Sikkim: J. D. Hooker. Khasia: J. D. Hooker & T. Thomson. Silhet: Wallich 6385. Ceylon. Central Prov., Hakgala, Bot. Gard., Simpson 9024, Jan. 1932; Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., F. W. de Silva, June 1930. Composition. The oil extracted fromthe rind of the fruit contains S-limonenc and citral while the pulp of the fruit contains the glucoside hesperidin. Uses. The juice of the fruit with crude potassium carbonate ('yawakara-Iunu') and bees' honey is given for pleurodynia, sciatica, lumbago and pain in the hip, joints, etc. The leaves, bark and fruit in combination with other drugs are prescribed for snakebite. The rind of the fruit is made into a preserve and used for treating dysentery. The essence of citron is employed in perfumery. I 15 RUTACEAE 8. Citrus sinensis Osbeck, Dagbok Ostind. Resa. 41. 177S. Citrus aurantium var.—sinensis Linn.—Citrus aurantium Moon—Citrus aurantium Lush.— Citrus longispina Wester. Engl. Orange, Sweet Orange: Sink. Dodan, Peni-dodan;Tarn. Narangam, Pattaviya, Pandil, Puttansini, Sadagadi, Sini; Sans. Airavata, Chakradivasi, Gandhadhya, Gandhapatra, Kirmira, Kirmirtvaka, Mahanarama, Mukhapriya, Nagar, Nagaranga, Nagruka, Naranga, Nariyanga, Suranga, Svadunaranga, Tvagagandha, Tvakasugandha, Vaktravasa, Varishtha, Yogaranga. A small tree with an-upright trunk, much branched above and spreading out to form a spherical head, bark greyish brown; leaves simple, alternate, often with short, solitary, sharp spines in the axils, oval or ovate-oblong, acute, 7.5—10 cm long, smooth and shining, dark green, paler beneath, entire or faintly serrate, articulated on the petiole, petioles 1.2—2.5 cm long, broadly or narrowly winged; flowers regular, bisexual, usually solitary, sometimes 2—6-flowered in axillary peduncles shorter than the petioles, white, fragrant; calyx cup-shaped with 5 short, broad, acute teeth, thick, pale green, persistent; petals 5, oblong, 2.5—3.1 cm long, thick and fleshy, blunt, white with yellowish sunken glands on the back, strongly recurved; stamens 20—25, hypogynous, filaments unequal, flattened, often united at the base in threes or fours, shorter than petals, anthers oblong-linear, versatile, bright yellow; ovary superior, cylindrical, striated longitudinally, with numerous oil glands below the epidermis, surrounded at the base by a swollen, prominent, rounded disk, 8 or more locular with several anatropous ovules in each loculus attached in two rows to the axile placentae, style thick, nearly as long as the stamens, stigma rounded and channeled; fruit a large rounded berry, 9—11 chambered, the loculi packed with soft tissue of large, irregular, fusiform, horizontal, loosely connected cells or vesicles, filled with sweet juice, the dissepiments very thin, membranous, the axis spongy, pericarp thin, spongy, externally smooth, slightly irregular due to the numerous projecting oil cysts below the epidermis, seeds several in each chamber, horizontal, oblong-ovoid, somewhat compressed with a blunt pointed apex and somewhat truncate at the hilum, testa soft, pale yellow, veiny and exalbuminous. Flowers in April and May. Illustration. Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pi. 51. 1880. - Distribution. A native of China or Cochin-China and now cultivated in both hemispheres especially in the Mediterranean regions. It is a common tree in the village gardens in Ceylon. Ceylon. Central Prov., Peradeniya,Bot. Gard., Herb. Peradeniya, Feb. 1889. Uva Prov.,Bibile, Exp. Station, Simpson 9618, April 1932. Composition. According to Nadkarni, the rind of the fruit contains a volatile oil, a gum resin, a fixed oil which consists of terpene, d-limonene, three glucosides namely herperidin, isoherperidin and aurantiamarin and tannin. The flowers and the fresh rind yield a volatile oil called oil of neroli used in perfumery. The leaves and unripe fruits possess a volatile oil which consists of limonene, nerolol, nerolyl-acetate and geraniol. The juice of the orange contains 0-sitosteryl-d-glucoside, ^-sitosterol, sugar, citric acid, inorganic salts, enzymes and vitamins A,B and C. Uses. The juice of the orange is extremely beneficial to invalids suffering from coughs, bronchitis, diabetes and liver and heart ailments. It is a blood purifier and antiscorbutic. Orange peel is an ingredient in the preparation of various tinctures. The oil extracted from the rind is given internally as a stomachic and applied externally as a liniment on gout and rheumatism. In Vietnam, the plant is used as a diuretic and purgative. In Ecuador, an extract from the seed is used in the treatment of malaria which brings about a contraction of the enlarged spleen. In India, a poultice of the leaves is applied on certain skin conditions. 17 MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 9. Clausena indica Oliv. in Journ. Linn. Soc. 5 (Suppl.): 36. 1861. (Fig. 462). Piptostylis indica Dalz.—Bergera nitida Thw. Sinh. Migon-karapincha; Tarn. Pannai, Purankainari. A small tree or shrub with pubescent young parts; leaves compound, alternate, exstipu- late, imparipinnate, large, 15—30 cm long, rachis glabrous or puberulous, leaflets 7—13, distant, alternate, shortly stalked, 3.7—8.9 cm long, very unequal at base; ovate or lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, very faintly crenate, wavy, glabrous on both sides and shining; flowers regular, bisexual, small, greenish white, 6—8 mm long, shortly pedicellate in a short strictly terminal panicle; sepals 5, small, ovate-triangular, ciliate; petals 5, distinct, imbricate, oval-oblong; stamens 10, distinct, filaments slightly dilated in the middle; ovary superior, 2-locular, glabrous, glandular on a short broad gynophore, style short, stigma capitate; fruit a nearly globular, pink or cream-coloured smooth berry about 1.2 cm long, gland-dotted and with abundant pulp, seed solitary and green. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen. pi. 44. 1874; Herb. Peradeniya drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon. It is rather common in the low-country dry regions. Kurunegala, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Mannar, etc. India. Madras: Beddome 342. Ceylon. North-Western Prov., Mannar, Crawford 139. 1890; Central Prov., Kandy, Herb. Wight 1200; without locality, Thwaites C. P. 1203. Uses. An infusion of the stem of this plant is given for colic and diarrhoea. The leaves and roots are used for indigestion and as a diuretic. 19 MEDICINAL PLANTS P L A T E XXII . Enodia lunu-ankenda. Branch with leaves and fruits. RUTACEAE 10. Euodia lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) Merr. in Phil. Journ. Sci. 7: 378. 1913. (Plate XXII). Euodia roxburghiana Benth.—Fagara lunu-ankenda Gaertn. Sinh. Ankenda, Lunu-ankenda, Nebeda; Sans. Vanashampaga. A small tree with opposite branches, bark grey, smooth, young parts finely tomentose; leaves opposite, 3-foliate, petioles as long as leaflets; leaflets 6—7.5 cm long, nearly sessile, oval or obovate-oval, tapering at base, shortly acuminate, entire, emarginate, glabrous when mature, pale beneath, lateral veins prominent, nearly horizontal; flowers unisexual, greenish- yellow on very short pedicels, densely crowded in small clusters at end of opposite branches of axillary pubescent panicles much shorter than leaves; sepals minute, 4 or 5, imbricate, rounded, pubescent; petals 4 or 5, valvate, ovate-oblong, acute; male flowers: stamens 4 or 5, rather exceeding petals, disc large, 4-lobed, prominent; female flowers: stamens shorter than petals; ovary superior, pubescent, 4- lobed, 4-Iocular with 2 ovules in each loculus, style much longer than petals; ripe carpels 1—4, globular-ovoid, 6 mm long, finely modulated, brown; seeds hemispherical, smooth and shining, blue-black in colour. Flowers in April and May. Illustrations. Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi. 204. 1839; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Ceylon, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Java. In Ceylon, it is common in lower elevations and rarer higher up between 2,000 and 6,000 feet altitude. India. Mt. Khasia: / . D. Hooker & T. Thomson. Madras: Beddome 296. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 534, Kew Distribution 1866—7. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 538. Central Prov., Hakgala, A. M. Silva, April 1906; A. M. Silva, March 1906; A. de Alwis, March l922;WaXtakclle, Herb. Peradeniya., April 1886; Magastota-Hakgala, J. M. Silva, May 1911; Nuwara Eliya, Herb. Gardner 163; Horton Plains, Mueller-Dombois 67070834, July 1967. Malay Peninsula. Perak, King's Collector 5269, Dec. 1883; King's Collector 7573, May 1885; King's • Collector 5649, March 1884. Uses. An infusion of the leaves and flowers of this tree is given as a tonic and emmenagogue. The juice of the leaves is administered for fever. A decoction of the root or root bark boiled in oil is taken for improving the complexion. In Indo-China, the plant is used as a bitter tonic and the bark and leaves are given for fever. 21 MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 11. Feronia limonia (Linn.) Swingle in Journ. Wash. Acad. Sc. 4: 328.1914. (Fig. 463). Feronia elephantum Correa—Limonia acidissima Linn.—Schinus limonia Linn.—Crataeva vallanga Koenig mss. Engl. Elephant Apple, Wood Apple; Sinh. Divul, Jool; Tarn. Kabittam, Karuvila, Kuttvila, Mayladikkuruntu, Narivila, Pitavila, Savarilottiram, Silangam, Sirittam, Suppiyam, Suvarasam, Suvedegam, Tilavagam, Ubalottiram, Vellil, Vellilottiram, Vila, Vilakkabittam, Vilatti; Hindi Khaet; Sans. Akshasasya, Bhukapittha, Chirpaki, Dadhiphala, Dadhittha, Dantaphala, Dantashatha, Devapadadhya, Gandhaphala, Gopakarna, Grahi, Grahiphala, Granthiphala, Kagittha, Kapipriya, Kapishtha, Kapittha, Karanjaphalaka, Kasabhavallabha, Kathinyaphala, Kavittha, Kuchaphala, Malura, Mangalya, Manmatha, Nilamallika, Phala- sugandha, Pushpaphala. A small tree with numerous branches, smooth whitish bark and sharp straight ascending spines 1.2—3.7 cm long; leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate, pinnate, 7.5—10 cm long, rachis and petiole flat, very narrowly winged, glabrous, leaflets opposite in 2 or 3 pairs and a terminal one, nearly sessile, 2.5—3.7 cm long, oval or obovate, obtuse, entire, glabrous, basal ones the largest; flowers regular, polygamous, pale green stained with red-purple and anthers dark red, small, numerous in small, paniculate, sessile cymes from axils of fallen leaves, pedicels slender and pubescent; sepals 5, fused into a 5-toothed small calyx; petals 5, distinct, imbricate, ovate, acute, spreading and smooth; stamens 7—12, equal, distinct, filaments very short; anthers very large, oblong; ovary superior on a short finely woolly disc, 5-locular with numerous ovules in each loculus, style very short, stigma fusiform; fruit-large, 5—9 cm diam., globose, hard, pericarp woody, rough, whitish, 1-chambered with many seeds immersed in the pulp, seeds oblong, compressed. Flowers in February and March. Illustrations. Roxburgh, PI. Corom. 2: pi. 141. 1798; Wight, PI. Ind. Or., pi. 15. 1838; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat.p/. 121.1868—1873; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,/?/. 200.1933. Distribution. Occurs throughout the dry regions in India and Ceylon. It is very common in the dry zone. India. Mysore & Carnatic: G. Thomson. West Bengal: Calcutta, Bot. Gard., Wallich 6380F. Pen Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 330. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 1205. Uses. The fruit of this tree is an aromatic stimulant and a stomachic. The pulp of the unripe fruit along with other ingredients is used in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. The ripe fruit is useful in hiccoughs, ailments of the gums and throat and applied externally on bites of venomous insects. The gummy exudation from the trunk with bees' honey also cures, diarrhoea and dysentery. The bruised leaves are used with great benefit in bowel complaints in children. The bark is prescribed for biliousness and all parts of the plant for snakebite. The ripe fruit is eaten with sugar or honey as a custard. 23 MEDICINAL PLANTS v FIG. 464. Glycosmis pentaphylla. A , portion of a branch with leaves and panicles of flowers. B, flower lateral view. C, longitudinal section of flower. D, transverse section of ovary. E, fruit. 24 RUTACEAE 12. Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa in Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 6: 386. 1805. (Fig. 464). Limonia pentaphylla Retz.—Limonia arborea Roxb.—^Toluifera cochinchinensis Lour.—Glycosmis citrifolia Linal.—Glycosmis angularis Elm.—Glycosmis cochinchinensis Pierre ex Engler— Glycosmis chilocarpaV/. & A.—GlycosmisarboreaDC—Glycosmis retzil Roem.—Myrospermum chylocatpum Ratta—Murrayaexotica Blanco. Sink Dodanpana; Tarn. Anam, Kattukkonji, Konji, Kulapannai; Sans. Ashva- shakola. A shrub or small tree without spines and the young parts scurfy-pubescent; leaves alternate or opposite, compound, exstipulate, imparipinnate, rachis flattened with sharp edges, leaflets 3— 5, often reduced to one, rarely 7, nearly sessile, 5—12.5 cm long, oval, acute at base, shortly acuminate, obtuse, entire or faintly denticulate; flowers regular, bisexual, white, very sweet scented, small, less than 1.2 cm long, nearly sessile, crowded in small clusters arranged in erect, rusty pubescent, axillary panicles 2.5—10 cm long; sepals 5, distinct, imbricate, small, obtuse; petals 5, distinct, imbricate, lanceolate; stamens 10, distinct, alternate ones shorter, filaments flattened; ovary superior, on a short thick gyhophore, broader than long, studded with large glands, 5-locular, style as wide as the ovary, stigma capitate; fruit a globose berry, 1 cm long, apiculate, smooth, pinkish white or cream coloured, seeds one or two, testa membranous, cotyledons green. Flowers from January to April. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen. pi. 6,fig. 6.1874; Roxburgh, PI. Corom. Upls. 84 & pi. 85. 1795; Curtis, Bot. Mag.pl. 2074. 1819; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India, Ceylon, Malaya, China, Borneo and Australia. It is common as an undergrowth under the shade of trees in dry regions from sea level to 3,000 feet elevation in the low-country in Ceylon. Colombo, Kandy, Galagama, Kalutara, etc. India. Malabar, Concan, etc. Stocks, Law, etc. Bengal: Shibpur, Gammie, July 1894; E. Bengal, / . D. Hooker & T. Thomson; Calcutta, cultivated, Wall. Cat. 63731. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 363, Kew Distribution, 1866—7. Ceylon. Eastern Prov., Batticaloa, Mueller- Dombois 67081415, Aug. 1967. Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., cultivated, Herb. Peradeniya, Park, April 1926. Western Prov., Kalutara, / . M. Silva, Feb. 1922. Southern Prov., Ruhuna National Park Mueller-Dombois&Cooray6ZQ\l\QS, Jan. 1968, without locality, Thwaites CP. 180. Malaya. Chittagong, King's Collector 168, Sept. 1885. Tenasserim and Andamans. Herb. Heifer SAX, Kew Distribution 1861—2. Cocos Island. Prain, 1889. Composition. This plant contains the alkaloids glycosine, glycosmimine, skimmianinc and the leaves kokusaginine and an unnamed alkaloid. In addition, the plant has an active principle glycosmine, a tannin, a phlobaphene, traces of salicin and sugars. Uses. The juice of the leaves is used for fevers, liver complaints and for intestinal worms in children. The leaves are applied externally as a paste on eczema and other skin diseases. 25 http://Mag.pl RUTACEAE 13. MJcromelum ceylanicum Swingle, Abeywick. Cey. Journ. Sci 2 (2): 178. 1959. Micromelum compressum (Blanco) Merr.—Micromelum minutum W. & A.—Micromelum pubescens Bl.—Micromelum glabrescens Benth.—Limonia minuta Forst. f.—Bergera integerrima Roxb. Sinh. Wal-karapincha; Tarn. Kakaipalai. A small tree with finely and densely pubescent shoots; leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate, imparipinnate, 20—25 cm long, rachis pubescent, leaflets 9—15, alternate or subop- posite, shortly stalked, 3.7—7.5 cm long, ovate-lanceolate, very oblique at the base, attenuate, obtuse, irregularly finely crenate and wavy with very numerous, rather conspicuous glands above, slightly pubescent beneath; flowers regular, bisexual, white, strong-smelling, 0.6—1.2 cm long, very shortly stalked, arranged in terminal and axillary, spreading, pubescent, dichotomous, corymbose cymes, bracts small, opposite at the bifurcations; sepals 5, fused into a 5-lobed calyx, lobes broad, triangular and pubescent; petals 5, distinct, valvate, oblong-linear, spreading, pubescent; stamens 10, distinct, alternate ones shorter; ovary superior, on a short gynophore, 5-locular with 2 superposed ovules in each loculus, oblong, very hairy, style longer than ovary and very thick, stigma capitate; fruit an oblong-ovoid, 1-seeded berry, pointed, rough with glands, glabrous and yellow. Flowers from October to February. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen.,/?/. l,fig. 1. 1874; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in the northern part of India, Ceylon', Burma, Malacca, Malaya, Java, China and in the Pacific Islands but not in South India. It is rather common in the low- country especially in the dry regions of Ceylon. Ceylon. Central Prov., Kandy, Udawattekelle, Senaratne 10051. March 1953; Meijer 3, June 1970; Gannoruwa, Alston, Jan. 1926; Wirawan 611, Oct. 1968; Peradeniya, Mueller- Dombois 67110930, Nov. 1967; Murutalawa, Appuhamy, Oct. 1958. Sabaragamuwa Prov. Balangoda, Thwaites CP. 188. Uva Prov., Bibile, 7. M. Silva, July 1924. Samoa. Home 91131, March 1879. Composition. The leaves and stems of this tree contain an unnamed alkaloid. Uses. This plant is used as a substitute for Murraya koenigii Spreng., medicinally. It is recommended for phthisis and chest troubles in Malaya and Indonesia. The root is chewed with betel leaves for coughs. The boiled roots are applied as a poultice for ague. 27 MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 14. Murraya koenigii Spreng. Syst. Veg. 2: 315. 1825. (Fig. 465). Bergera koenigii Linn. Engl Curry-leaf Tree; Sinh. Karapincha, Karrypincha; Tarn. Karuvembu, Karuveppilai, Kattuveppilai; Sans. Alakavhaya, Chhardighna, Girinirnba, Kadarya. Kalasaka, Krishnanimba, Mahanimba, Maharishta, Nimbapatra, Priyasala, Raman, Saura- nimba, Shuklasara, Surabhi, Surabnimba, Varatikta. t A small tree with dark grey bark and pubescent branchlets; leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate, imparipinnate, somewhat crowded, spreading, 15—25 cm long, rachjs pubescent, leaflets 15—25, shortly stalked, 2.5—5 cm long, oval or oblong-lanceolate, very oblique at base, slightly caudate, obtuse or emarginate at apex, irregularly crenate, glabrous above, pubescent beneath, the lower ones smaller, and more rotundate; flowers regular, bisexual, white, fragrant, about 1.2 cm long on short pedicels and ' in much branched, flat-topped, corymbose terminal cymes, bracts minute; sepals 5, small, nearly distinct, triangular, subacute, pubescent; petals 5, linear, erect, glabrous, valvate gland-dotted; stamens 10, free, ajternajte ones shorter, inserted on a fleshy disc, filaments narrowed at the top; ovary superior, glabrouy, without a gynophore, 2-locular with usually one .ovule in each loculus, style long, stigma large, capitate; fruit a globular berry 0.6—1 cm long, apiculate,Nblack, 2-seeded, rough with glands. Flowers in December and August. Illustrations. Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi. 13. 1838; Roxburgh, PI. Corom. 2: pi. 112. 1798; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,/?/. 192. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon, It is very common in the low-country dry zone but rather rare in the hills of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Maturata, Badulla, etc. India. N. Canara: Yellapore, Talbot 10/62, March 1882; Uttar Pradesh: D'ehra Dun, King. Bengal: Kitrz, March 1867; N. Bengal, Kurz, May 1867. Pen. Ind. Or., Wight 327. E. Pakistan. Dacca, Clarke 20098. June 1873. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 2547. Maldive Islands. Hikundi, Didi 100, 1896. Composition. The fruit of this plant yields an oil and the leaves contain a glucoside called koenigin. Uses. The leaves, bark and roots are tonic and stomachic. The leaves with other ingredients are roasted, made into a powder and given for constipation, abdominal colic and diarrhoea. The boiled leaves are given for hiccough and hoarseness. The juice of the. fresh leaves is also given for diarrhoea and dysentery. The bruised leaves are applied externally on eruptions. The leaf of this plant is the familiar "curry-leaf" used for flavouring soups, vegetables and meat dishes. 29 MEDICINAL PLANTS PLATE X X H I . Paramignya monophylla. A , branch with leaves and flowers. B , flower with corolla removed showing the calyx, gynophore and pistil. C, stamen with flattened hairy filament. D, fruit. B & C, slightly enlarged. PLATE X X U 1 . Paramignya monophylla. A, branch w i t h leaves and flowers. B , flower with corol la removed showing the calyx, gynophore and pist i l . C, stamen with flattened hairy filament. D , fruit . B & C, s l ight ly enlarged. RUTACEAB 31 15. ParamJgnya monophylla Wight III. Ind. Bot. 1: 1Q9, pi. 42. 1840. (Plate XXIJJ). Sink. Wellangjriya; Tarn. Katillinsechan; Sans. Karuwageti. A climbing shrub with densely pubescent shoots, the older branches provided with sharp, recurved, axillary spines 1.2 cm long; leaves unifoliate, alternate, exstipulate, numerous, 5—10 cm long, oval or oblong-oval or lanceolate, rounded at base, obtuse or acute at apex, entire or nearly so, glabrous except along the midrib on the lower surface, conspicuously gland- dotted, petioles 1.2 cm long and twisted; flowers regular, bisexual, white, 1.8 cm long, 1—3 together in axils of leaves, pedicels short, pubescent; sepals 5, fused into a 6V]obed, woolly pubescent calyx, lobes shallow, rounded; petals 5, oblong-linear, recurved; stamens 10, distinct, equal, filaments flat and hairy, anthers oblong; ovary superior, on a conspicuous gynophore, 5-locular with one or two ovules in each lopulus, stigma large, capitate; fruit a globose-pyriform berry, over 2.5 cm long, smooth, seeds several, large and compressed. Flowers in March and August, Illustrations. Wight. 111. Ind. Bot, 1; pi. 42. 1840; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi, 195. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya-, drawing, Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon. It is rather common in the low-country dry regions, in Ceylon. Dolosbage, Hunnasgiriya, Kurunegala, Haragama, Trincomalee, Minneriya, etc. India. Sikkim: / . D. Hooker. Malabar, Concan, etc. Stocks, Law, etc. Ceylon Eastern Prov., Trincomalee,/. M. Silva, July 1921; Minneriya, Thwaites CP. 1201; Walker. Composition. The root of this plant contains calcium oxalate. Uses The root is used as an alternative tonic. The bruised leaves are applied externally on snake-bite wounds. This plant is fed to cattle suffering from haematuria or flux of blood from the abdomen. RUTACEAE 33 16. Peganom barmala Linn. Sp. PI. 444.1733. Engl. Harmal, Syrian Rue; Sinh. Rata-aruda; Tarn. Shimaiazha-vanai-virai, Simaiya- lavinai, Simaiyaravandi; Sans. Harmal. A perennial herb 30—90 cm high, dichotomously and corymbosely branched; leaves simple, alternate, 5—7.3 cm long, multifid, segments narrow, linear, acute, stipules setaceous; flowers regular, bisexual, white, solitary, sessile or .pedicelled 1.8—2.5 cm across on subterminal leaf-opposed pedicels; sepals 4 or 5, narrow, often foliaceous and pinnatifid, linear, acute, usually exceeding petals, persistent; petals 4 or 5, subequal, imbricate, white, elliptic-oblong, disc annular or cup-shaped; stamens 12—15, inserted at the base of the disc, some without anthers, filaments dilated below, anthers linear; ovary superior, globose, 2— 3-lobed, 2—3-locular, ovules many in each loculus suspended by short funicles from the central angle, styles basal, twisted, 2—3-keeled above the middle, keels stigmatose; fruit a globose capsule, 4-5—8 mm diam., deeply lobed, veined, glabrous, dehiscing into 3 valves. Flowers from October to December. Illustration. Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. slants, pi. 182. 1933. Distribution. Grows in India, Persia, Mediterranean regions, Central Asia, Arabia, North Africa, Hungary and Spain. India. Himal. Bor. Occ, T. Thomson. Armenia. Du Pavilion, June 1853. Hungary. Lang. Composition. The root contains the alkaloids harmaline, harmalol, harmine, vasicine, while the seeds contain only the first three alkaloids. Uses. The seeds of this plant are regarded as narcotic, anodyne, emetic and emmenagogue and act in large doses like ergot for which it is used as a substitute. They stimulate the sexual system in both males and females. A decoction of the leaves is given in rheumatism and used as a remedy for tapeworm in man and in malarial fevers. MEDICINAL PLANTS FIG. 466. Ruta graveolens. A, branch with leaves, flowers and fruits. B, flower. C, longitudinal section of pistil. D, transverse section of ovary. E & F , capsules. G — I , seed dorsal, lateral and longitudinal section. RUTACEAE 35 17. Ruta graveolens Linn. Sp. PI. ed. 2, 383. 1753. (Fig. 466). Ruta graveolens var.—angustifolia Hook. f.—Ruta angustifolia Pers.—Ruta chalepensis Wall. Engl. Garden Rue; Sinh. Aruda; Tarn. Aruvadam, Arvada, Pambugolli; Sans. Guchhapatra, Pitapushpa, Sadapaha, Sarpadaushta, Somalatha, Vishapaha. A perennial semi-shrubby plant 60—75 cm tall, stems cylindrical, slender, branched in the upper part,'smooth, pale glaucous green; leaves compound, alternate, the lower ones tripinnate, the upper ones subpinnate or pinnate, the highest simple, leaflets linear-oval or oblong, the terminal ones obovate, all dotted with small pellucid glands, rather thick, bluish green; flowers regular, bisexual, yellow, long-stalked, erect, 2.5 cm across in terminal, corym­ bose, irregularly dichotomous cymes; sepals 4 or 5, narrow, acute, semipersistent, slightly connected; petals 4 or 5, much larger and alternating with the sepals, distant, widely spreading, greenish yellow, wide and hooded at top, suddenly contracted into a narrow claw below, margin wavy and sometimes toothed; stamens 8 or 10, inserted below the hypogynous disk, half opposite the sepals, half opposite petals in the concave limbs of which they are contained, filaments slender, glabrous, straight and exceeding the petals; ovary superior, surrounded at base and supported by a thick, fleshy, sticky, green disk, marked opposite each stamen with a deep nectari­ ferous pore, large, 4 or 5 lobed, lobes (carpels) separate above, strongly dotted with sunk glands, 4-locular, ovules numerous on axile placentae, styles coming off from the inner sides of the carpels1 combined into a single body tapering to the apical stigma; fruit dry, hard, roundish, 4—5 lobed at top, greyish brown, rough, each carpel dehiscing from above ventrally and also some way down the dorsal suture; seeds ovoid, rounded at the back, flatfish in front, angular, testa blackish, rough and albuminous. Illustrations. Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pi. 44. 1880; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,/?/. 181. 1933. Distribution. Occurs in waste and stony ground throughout S. Europe extending from Spain and Portugal to Greece and Crimea. It is cultivated in India and in the up-country in Ceylon. Ceylon. Central Prov., Hakgala, Bot. Gard., cultivated, J. M. Silva, Jan. 1928; Diyatalawa, F. W. de Silva, May 1929. Composition. The whole plant contains the glucoside rutin, the fruits kokusaginine and skimmianine and the leaves an unnamed alkaloid. The oil of rue consists of two characteristic constituents namely methyl-n-heptyl ketone and methyl-n-nonyl ketone. Uses. Rue is an acro-narcotic poison. It is given internally for hysteria, amenorrhoea epilepsy and flatulent colic while it is used externally as a rubefacient. This herb and its oil stimulate the uterine and nervous systems and considered injurious to pregnant women. It is a strong antispasmodic. A medicinal oil prepared with its juice is prescribed for convulsions in children and acute bronchitis and pneumonia. The seeds are considered a good ascaricide in Annam. t MEDICINAL PLANTS RUTACEAE 37 18. Toddalia asialica Lamk. 111. 2:117.1793. (Fig. 467). Toddalia aculeata Pers.— Toddalia nitida Lamk.—Toddalia angustifolia Miq.—Toddalia rubri- caulis Wall.—Toddalia floribunda VfalL—Zanthoxylon floribundum—Scopolia aculeata Sm.— Limonia oligandra Dali.—Paullinia asiatica Linn.—Paullinia aculeata Linn. Engl. Forest Pepper, Lopez-root; Sinh. Kudumiris; Tarn. Kattumilagu, Kichili karanai, Milagaranai, Mullukkaranai; Sans. Dahana, Kanchana. A small erect or scrambling or climbing shrub with cylindrical, glabrous or slightly tomentose stems set with recurved, compressed, sharp prickles; leaves alternate, exstipulate, 3-foliate, petioles divaricate, often with prickles beneath, 1.2—1.8 cm long, leaflets sessile, articulated,3.7—Scm long, ovaloroblong-lanceolate.acuteatbase,obtuseorbluntlyacuminate at apex, very shallowly crenate-serrate, glabrous or with scattered stellate scales above, thick, gland-dotted, midrib often prickly beneath, lateral veins numerous; flowers regular, subunisexual, cream coloured, small, about 3 mm long on very short pedicels and in umbellate clusters of 6—12 at ends of branches of small axillary and terminal paniculate cymes; sepals 5, connate into a S-lobed calyx, lobes very small, triangular; petals 5, distinct, valvate, oblong, thickened at tip, longer in female flowers; stamens 5, hypogynous,free in male flowers alternating with petals, anthers dorsifixed, reduced to 5 very short pointed filaments in female flowers, ovary superior, syncarpous, raised on a short gynophore, oblong, glabrous, 5-locular with 2 ovules in each loculus, stigma sessile; fruit fleshy, orange coloured, subglobose, apiculate with 3—5 grooves, set with large sunk glands, seeds smooth, subcompressed and rounded at the back, indehiscent, albuminous. Flowers from January to April. Illustrations. Wight, 111. Ind. Bot., pi. 66. 1838; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. Anal. Gen. 42, pi. 6, fig. 5. 1874; Burmann, Flor. Zeyl. pi. 24. 1765; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 189. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, China, Philippine Islands and tropical Africa. It is very common in Ceylon from sea level to about 6,000 feet elevation. India. Mt. Nilghiri and Kurg, Hook. f. & T. Thomson. Nilghiris, Clarke 104925, March 1870; Clarke 11256/1, March 1870. Khasia: Clarke 5725, Oct. 1867. Sikkim: King96, Oct. 1871. Pen. Ind. Or Wight 360, Kew Distribution 1866—1867; Wallich 1206. Ceylon. Central Prov., Kandy, Udawattekelle, Senaratne 10050, March 1953. UvaProv., Namunukula, J. M. Silva, March 1907. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 2413; Thwaites CP. 1250; Walker. Philippine Islands. Palawan: McGregor 45931, Sept. 1925. Mindanao: Dava Prove, Ramos and Edano 49031, March-April 1927. Composition. The leaves of this plant yield a volatile oil with citronellal and linalool, while the root bark contains the alkaloids toddaline, toddalinine, lactone, resin, fixed oil and a glucoside, diosmin. The stem bark yields three coumarins, aculeatin and aculeatin hidiate. Uses. The root bark is a reputed antimalarial remedy, though clinical tests with alcoholic extracts have not shown positive results. An infusion of it is a stimulating tonic, particularly after malaria. In the Philippines, a decoction of the root is used as an anti-pyretic and anti- diarrhoeic. The fruit and root are rubbed down with oil to make a stimulant liniment for rheumatism. In Africa the fruit is used as a cough remedy and the root in the treatment of indigestion and influenza. A decoction of the leaf is used in pneumonia and rheumatism, while that of the root is used on stomach-ache and as an anthelmintic. A poultice of the leaf is applied to carious teeth for relief from toothache. The root is also used for malaria, intermittent fever, diarrhoea, cholera, rheumatism and syphilis. P L A T E X X I V . Zanthoxylum tetraspermum. A, branch wi th leaves, spines and panicles o f flowers. B , panicle o f flowers. C, fruits . RUTACEAE 19. Zanthoxylum tetraspermum W. & A. Prodr. 148. 1834. (Plate XXIV). Sinh. Katukeena. A wide-climbing shrub with long rope-like stems set with large, woody, conical, spine tipped prickles 1.8 cm high, smaller branches glabrous with small, deflexed, hooked prickles; leaves alternate, compound, exstipulate, imparipinnate, 15—25 cm long, petioles and rachides cylindrical, armed beneath with numerous, large, hooked prickles, leaflets in 3 or 4 pairs and a terminal one, sessile, 6.4—8.9 cm long, oval or lanceolate, acute at base, suddenly attenuate, retuse, coarsely serrate, thick, smooth and glossy, lateral veins numerous; flowers regular, unisexual, yellowish pink, small on very short pedicels arranged in pyramidal, finely tomentose, axillary and terminal panicles 5—10 cm long; sepals 4 minute; petals 4, valvate, oblong, acute; stamens 4 in male flowers; ovary in female flowers superior, 4-carpellary, almost separated into unicarpellary units with 2 ovules in each, style capitate; fruit nearly globose consisting of 1—4 ripe carpels each dehiscing into two valves, 0.6 cm long, rugose, seed nearly globose hanging out of the carpel when ripe, polished and black. Flowers in April and May. Illustration. Herb. Peradeniya drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon. It is rather common in the montane zone in Ceylon and much rarer at lower elevations, Maturata, Hakgala, Hewaheta, etc. Ceylon. Central Prov., Hakgala, A. M. Silva, Oct. 1906. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 386. Uses. This species has the same properties as Zanthoxylum budrunga Wall., from India and Zanthoxylum hamiltonianum Wall., from Burma both of which can be cultivated in Ceylon. The fruit of this plant is a stimulant, astringent and digestive. It is prescribed for dyspepsia, Some forms of diarrhoea and rheumatism. It resembles coriander, from which it is difficult to distinguish. 39 100. SALVADORACEAE Salvadora persica Linn. Sp. PI. 122. 17S3. Salvadora wightiana Planch—Salvadora indica Wight—Cissus arborea For&k.—Embelia grossularis Retz. Engl. Mustard Tree, Tooth-brush Tree; Sinh. Pilu; Tarn. Kalarva, Kargol, Kargoli, Opa, Perungoli, Surugalarva, Sittuvila, TJba, Uga, Uvay, Vijay; Hindi Badapilu, Chhotapilu, Jal, Pilu; Sans. Brihatpilu, Gauli, Langhupilu, Madhupilu, Mahaphala, Mahapilu, Maha- vriksha, Pilu, Rajapilu. A small, much branched, erect tree with long drooping slender branchlets, bark rough and furrowed and glabrous young parts; leaves simple, opposite, exstipulate, numerous 3.7—5 cm long, oblong-oval or ovate, tapering or rounded at base, obtuse or rounded, usually mucronate at apex, entire, glabrous and shining on both surfaces, thick, glaucous green, lateral veins oblique, obscure, petioles 0.6—1.2 cm long; flowers regular, bisexual, greenish white small, very numerous, on slender opposite, spreading pedicels, laxly arranged on branches of spreading, divaricate, glabrous racemes or panicles about as long as leaves, terminal and from axils of upper leaves; sepals 4, fused into a small, campanulate, glabrous calyx, segments broad and truncate; petals 4, fused, imbricate in bud, persistent, oval, acute, reflexed; stamens 4, inserted in corolla-tube, exserted; ovary superior, unilocular with one erect ovule, style absent; fruit a smooth, globose, red drupe about 3 mm long. Flowers throughout the year. Illustrations. Roxburgh, PI. Corom. I: pl.26. 1795; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. I: pl.lAl. 1868-1873; Wight, 111. Ind. Bot. 2: pl.lil. 1840; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, p/,598. 1933. Distribution. Occurs in the dry regions of India, Ceylon, Arabia, North Africa, Abyssinia, Syria, etc. It is common in dry and desert places, especially along the coast in Ceylon. Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Hambantota, etc. India. Punjab: T. Thomson; Rajputana. Duthrie, Jan. 1886. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 2465, Kew Distribution 1866—1867. Ceylon. North-Western Prov., Puttalam Lagoon J. M. Silva 40, March 1926. Eastern Prov., Vincent 22. Without locality, Thwaites C. P. 2267. Composition. The leaves and bark of this tree contain the alkaloid trimethylamine, and the seed a volatile oil whose main constituent is benzyl mustard oil. ' Uses. The bark of the stem is acrid and used in decoction for low fever and as a stimulant and tonic in amenorrhoea. In Punjab, the shoot and leaves are considered as antidotes for poisons and the juice of the leaves is given for scurvy. In Persia, the fruit is employed as a deobstruent, carminative and diuretic. In Africa, the root bark is used as a remedy for ankylostomiasis and the stem bark for gastritis and as an ascarifuge. The powdered root is applied like mustard plaster and a decoction of the root given for gonorrhoea and vesical catarrh. The leaf is a reputed diuretic. 41 MEDICINAL PLANTS T MH. Fio. 468. Santalum album. A, branch with leaves and flowers. B, inflorescence of flowers. C, flower lateral view. D, perianth spread out showing the stamens and staminodes. E, longitudinal section of flower. F, stamen. . G.longitudinalsectionofpistil. H, placenta showing the pendulous ovules. I, fruit. J, longitudinal section of fruit. 101. SANTALACEAE Santalum album Linn. Sp. PI. 349. 17S3. (Fig. 468). Santalum myrtifolium Roxb.—Santalum verum Linn.—Santalum album Rumph.—Strium myrtifolium Roxb. Engl. Sandalwood, White Sandalwood; Sinh. Sudu-handun; Tarn. Amukkam, Asam, Chandana kaltai, Igam, Ingam, Kandam, Koravaram, Kulavuri, Malaivedbu, Malaiyaram, Malaiyasam, Padiram, Pidasaralam, Pidasaram, Saleyam, Sandanam, Sandani, Selegam, Selodam, Sisiram, Ulosidam; Hindi Chandal, Chandan, Chandoi, Safedchandan, Sandal; Sans. Annidita, Bhadrasara, Bhadrashraya, Bhadrashri, Bhadrashriya, Bogivallabha, Chandradyuti, Chandana, Chandrakanta, Dahasini, Ekangi, Gandhadhya, Gandhasara, Goshirsha, Gramya, Harichandana, Krishnachandana, Maharha, Malayaja, Malayodbhava. Mangalya, Panjasugandha, Patira, Pavana, Pitasara, Rajayoghya, Rauhina, Sarpavasa, Sarpeshta, Sevya, Shrigandha, Shrikhanda, Situhima, Tailaparna, Tilaparna, Valgaka, Varnaka, A small tree, 6—10 m high with numerous, opposite, slender, drooping branches, bark smooth, greyish brown, young twigs glabrous, leaves simple, opposite without stipules, petioles slender about 1.2cm long, leaf blade 3.7—6.2 cm long, oval, ovate-oval or lanceolate, acute or obtuse at apex, tapering at the base into the petiole, entire, smooth on both sides, glaucous beneath; flowers regular, bisexual, small, numerous, shortly stalked in small, pyramidal, erect, terminal and axillary, trichotomous, paniculate cymes, panicle branches smooth, bracts small but passing into the leaves below; perianth campanulate, smooth, about 5 mm long, divided into 4 (rarely 5) triangular, acute, spreading segments, valvate in the bud, rather fleshy, at first straw-coloured, afterwards changing into deep reddish-purple, provided at the mouth with 4 erect, fleshy rounded lobes (staminodes); stamens 4, opposite the perianth segments, filaments very short, inserted in the mouth of the perianth and alternating with the erect lobes, anthers short, 2-celled, introrse; ovary half-inferior, tapering, unilocular with an erect central placenta rising from the base and not reaching the top, to the summit of which is attached 3 or 4 pendulous ovules without the usual coverings, style filiform, stigma small, 3 or 4-lobed on a level with the anthers; fruit about the size of a pea, spherical, crowned by the rim-like remains of the perianth-tube, smooth, somewhat fleshy, nearly black, epicarp thin, endocarp hard and bony with 3 equidistant ridges running half-way down the apex; seed solitary filling the endocarp and albuminous. Flowers from March to May. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. pl.256. 1868—1873; Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, pl.292. 1880; Curtis, Bot. Mag., p/.3235. 1833; Roxburgh, pi. Corom. 1: pl.2. 1795; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,/>/.844. 1933. Distribution. Indigenous to Mysore in India, and occurs in E. Java, Timor and Islands of Malay Archipelago. It is cultivated in Ceylon. India. Herb. Madras, Wallich 4034C. Pen. Ind. Or„ Herb. Wight 2496, Kew Distribu­ tion 1866—1867. Ceylon, cultivated. North-Central Prov., Anuradhapura, Herb. Peradeniya, Jan. 1922. Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., Herb. Peradeniya, March 1888; Thwaites C. P. 2915; Baker 107. May 1907. Composition. The heart wood of this tree contains a volatile oil, the chief constituent of which is the alcohol, santalol. Uses. The heart wood is used alone or with other ingredients for fever, diarrhoea dysentery, gastric irritation, spermatorrhoea and gonorrhoea. The wood ground up with water into a paste is applied on local inflammations and skin diseases to allay heat and pruritus. It acts as a diaphoretic and checks haemoptysis. The seeds also contain an oil which is used in skin diseases. The wood is considered a diuretic and antipyretic in Cambodia. In Madagascar, the wood is mascerated with salt water and applied on wounds. The oil is recom­ mended for gonorrhoea. It is often used in perfumery. 43 MEDICINAL PLANTS 102. SAPINDACEAE 1. Allophylus cobbe (Linn.) Blume, Rumph. 3:131.1847. (Fig 469).. AUophyhs serratus Radlk.—Allophylus lanatus Roxb.—Rhus cobbe Linn.—Ornitrophe cobbe Willd.—Ornitrophe serrata Roxb.—Schmjdelia cobbe DC. Sinh. Bu-kobbe, Kobbe, Kobo; Tarn. Amlai; Sans. Kapolawattha. A tall much branched shrub or small tree with pubescent branches and young parts; leaves alternate, exstipulate, 3-foliate, spreading, petioles 7.5—10 cm Jong, cylindrical, very pubescent, leaflets on short stalks, the central leaflet longer, 10—15 cm long, all oval, the lateral ones rounded at base, the middle acute at base, sharply acuminate, acute, faintly serrate, softly pubescent on both sides, paler beneath with tufts of hair in the vein axils; flowers slightly irregular, polygamo-dioecious, very small, greenish, on very short pedicels, grouped in small fascicles on the slender branches of spicate, axillary panicles shorter than leaves; sepals 4 in pairs, imbricate, the outer ones smaller, glabrous; petals 4, cuneate with a scale half as long at the base, hairy; stamens 8, inserted inside the disc, filaments distinct; disc, rather one-sided of 4 rounded glands opposite petals; ovary superior, didymous, 2-locular with one ovule in each loculus, finely hairy, style twice as long as the ovary, stigmas recurved; fruit indehiscent, globular-ovoid, 6 mm long, smooth, red, usually of a solitary carpel, pericarp fleshy, seed with a short aril, exalbuminous. Flowers in October. Illustrations. Burmann; Fl, Ind. pl.22, fig.]. 1765; Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., p/.964. 1843— 1845; Gaertner, Fruct. et Sem, Plant. I: plM,fig.5. 1788; Roxburgh, PI. Corom. 1: pl..6\. 1795; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Ceylon, N. Australia and Indian Archipelago. It is very common in the moist low-country in Ceylon. India. Sikkim: Clarke 9097. Sept. 1869. Khasia:/ D. Hooker & T. Thomson. Silhet: Wallich 8058 A &B. East Bengal: Herb. Griffith 974, Kew Distribution 1861—1862; Calcutta, Herb. Bot. N. Canara; Talbot, July 1882. Concan: Stocks; Nilghiri, King, July 1878. Madras: Beddome 322; Cleghorn 71. Pen Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 373 & 374, Kew Distribution 1866—1867. Ceylon. North Western Prov., Mannar, Crawford 48. Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., Alston, Nov. 1928; Nugatenne, Alston, Sept. 1926. Without locality, Thwaites C. P. 1156. Maldive Islands. Gardiner 50, 1899. Andaman Islands. King's Collector, Oct. 1894; Prain's Collector 100, Oct. 1900. Composition. The seed of this plant contains an unidentified alkaloid. Uses. This plant is an emenagogue. The astringent root is employed to check diarrhoea. All parts of the plant are used for preparation of medicinal oils for use on fractures. 45 MEDICINAL PLANTS PLATE X X V . Allophylus zeylanicus, b r a n c h u ith leaves, f lowering racemes and f ru i t s . SAPINDACEAE Illustrations, Beddome, Ic.Pl, Ind.,p/.286; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon, It is rather common in the moist regions in Ceylon. Hunnasgiriya, Hantane, Ambagamuwa, Haputale, Hakgala, Maturata, etc Ceylon. Central Prov., J, M. Silva 244, Dec. 1927; Knuckles, J. M. Silva 150, June 1926; Hakgala, Smith, Oct. 1906; A. M, Silva. Sept. 1906; A. M. Silva, April 1906; Haputale, A. M. Silva, May 1906; Walker 172; Madulkele, Herb. Peradeniya, Oct. 1887; Maturata, A. M. Silva, May 1906. Without locality, Thwaites C. P. 562. Uses. All parts of this tree are used for preparation of medicinal oils applied on fractures. The leaves and bark are also applied as a poultice. 47 2. AUophylus zeylanicns Linn. Nov. Fl. Gen. in Amoen. Acad. 1 : 398. 1747. (Plate XXV). Schmidelia allophylus DC.—Schmidelia bidentata Vfzll.—Ornitrophe allophylus Pers. Sinh. Walkobo, WeMcobbe. A small tree with smooth, whitish bark and glabrous young parts; leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, 12.5—22.5 cm long, lanceolate, acute at base, more or less acuminate, acute, entire or with a few very coarse teeth in the upper part, glabrous, petioles 1.2—1.8 cm lpng; flowers irregular, polygamo-dioecious, greenish white, in short pedicelled, hispid racemes; sepals 4, free, imbricate, in pairs, the outer smaller; petals 4, clawed, slightiy longer than sepals, spathulate, hairy, the scale near the base of each petal very hairy; disc of 4 rounded glands opposite petals; stamens 8, inserted inside the disc, filaments distinct; ovary superior, 2'locular, 2-lobed with one ovule in each loculus; fruit carpels divaricate (often one abortive), each about 1.2 cm long, indehiscent, ovoid, smooth, white. Flowers from March to May and in September and October. MEDICINAL PLANTS SAPINDACEAE 3. Cardiospermum microcarpum H.B.K., Nov. Gen. & Sp. 5: 104. 1821. (Fig. 470). Cardiospermum hcdicacabum Trim, non Linn. Sinh. Penela-wel; Tarn. Kottavan, Mudakattan, Mudakottan, Periayilai-mudakottan, Samuttiram, Samuttiradoyan, Siliyanai, Soliyan, Sugattan, Tiragamulagam; Sans. Jyotishati, Jyotir, Karavi, Karhasphota, Nagna, Paravatanghi, Sakralata. An annual, subscandent climber with a slender, strongly furrowed, glabrous stem and puberulous young parts; leaves alternate, exstipulate, biternate, petioles 5—7.5 cm long, spreading or deflexed, furrowed, leaflets sessile or shortly stalked, ovate, tapering at base, acute, deeply incised-serrate, glabrous, thin and flaccid; flowers irregular, polygamo-dioecious, white, very small, 4 mm long on slender pedicels 7.5—17.5 cm long, a very small cyme terminating a stiff, slender, horizontal axillary peduncle 10 cm long, and provided beneath the cyme with 2 opposite reflexed circinate or hooked tendrils; sepals 4, persistent'in pairs, rounded, outer pair very small; petals 4, rounded, the two upper each with a large emarginate scale near the base, the two lower distant, each with a small crested scale; disc unilateral of2 glands opposite the lower petals; stamens 8, excentric, filaments connate at base; ovary superior 3-locular with one ascending ovule in each loculus, style very short, stigmas 3; fruit an inflated, 3-chambered, membranous, loculicidal capsule on a short, slender stalk, bladder-like, 1.2—1.8 cm wide, depressed-pyriform, trigonous, truncate at top, wingedat the angles, valves papery, veiny, finely pubescent; seed 4—6 mm long, globular, glabrous, black, the aril heart- shaped and white.. Flowers all the year round. Illustrations. Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi. 508. 1842—1843; Curtis, Bot. Mag. pi. 1049. 1807; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 259. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Ceylon and Malacca in wet places. In Ceylon, it grows in the mid and low-country. Ceylon. Northern Prov., Mullativu, Mukiyaivalai, Alston 1219. March 1927. Eastern Prov., Trincomalee, Mavadidichanai, Alston 552, May 1927. Central Prov., Haragama, Herb. Peradeniya, April 1926; Nigatenne, Alston 495, Oct. 1926. Southern Prov. Ranna, Alston 1220, March 1927. Composition. This plant contains saponin and quebrachitol and an alkaloid, a glucoside, resins and tannins. The seeds possess an essential oil. Uses. The whole plant is used both internally and externally in cases of rheumatism, nervous diseases, dropsy and orchitis. The juice of the plant is used as eardrops for earache and discharge from the meatus. It is also used for piles, bronchitis and phthisis. The root is an emetic and laxative and considered an aperient. The leaves are boiled in castor oil and applied externally on rheumatic pains, swellings and tumours. In China, the plant is considered an anthelmintic and anti-blenorrhagic. In Africa, an infusion of the leaf is given as an enema for dysenteries and diarrhoeas and taken internally for general outbreak of sores in the body. It '& used as an anti-rheumatic and in digestive and pulmonary disorders. The root is a laxative, demulcent, diuretic and used in nervous diseases. In East Indies, the leaf and root are used as a diaphoretic, diuretic and as a remedy for dropsy, orchitis, amenorrhoea, rheumatism, nervous complaints and lung diseases. 49 SAPINDACEAE 4. Euphoria longana Lamk. Diet. 3: 574. (Plate XXVI). 51 Nephelium longana Camb.—Nephelium mora Gard. ex Thw.—Nephelium bengalense G. Don— Scylalia bengalensis Roxb.—Scytalia longan Roxb.—Dimocarpus longan Lour.—Dimocarpus pupilla Moon—Sapindus bengalensis Roxb.—Sapinduf monogyna Hb. Heyne—Euphoria undulata Hb. Heyne—Euphoria pupillum Steud. Engl. Dragon's Eye, Logan; Sinh. Rasamora; Tarn.. Kattupuvam, Nurai, Pirappin, Puvam, Sembuvam, Varattarbuvam; Sans. Pilu. A large tree with smooth yellowish grey bark flaking off in small pieces and rufous stellate pubescent young parts; leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate, pinnate, rachis 10—15 cm long, cylindrical, rough with fine stellate pubescence, leaflets on very short tumid stalks, 7—II, oblong-lanceolate, acute and unequal at base, shortly acuminate, subobtuse, entire, rather undulate, glabrous, dark green and shining above, pale dull green often puberulous and minutely reticulate beneath, drying brown; flowers regular, polygamous, pale yellow, on pubescent pedicels, in clusters on branches of large, lax, pyramidal, pubescent, terminal panicles; sepals 5, fused into a 5-fid calyx, densely pubescent, lobes obtuse; petals 5, distinct about as long as calyx, linear-spathulate without scales; disc annular, fleshy, lobed, hairy; stamens in male flowers 10, in bisexual flowers 5 or 8, filaments hairy; ovary superior, didymous, 2-locular with one erect ovule in each loculus,, very hairy, style long, stigmas 2, recurved; fruit supported on persistent calyx consisting of two or usually one by abortion, divaricate carpels, 1.2—1.5 cm long, globular ovoid, faintly tubercled with stellate hairs on the tubercles when young, afterwards glabrous, pericarp thin, brittle; seed completely covered with thin pulpy aril, black and shining. Flowers from April to July. Illustrations. Curtis, Bot. Mag. pi. 4096; Edward, Bot. Reg. pi. 1729. 1835; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat,/?/. 156. 1868—1873; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants./?/. 266/4.' 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Ceylon and S. China. It is common in the low-country both in moist and dry regions up to an altitude of 2,000 feet in Ceylon. India. Assam: Chatteljee 51/47, May 1902. Nilghiri and Kurg: Hookf. and T. Thomson Concan: Stocks, Law, etc. Ceylon. North-Central Prov., Ambepusse, Senaratne, June 1930. Uva Prov., Bibile, / . M. Silva, July 1924. Eastern Prov., Batticaloa, Mueller-Dombois and Comanor 67072704, July 1967. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 1152. China. Kwangtung Prov., Tuipo, .Tsiang Ying 115, April 1928. Uses. The bark of this tree is used for decoctions given for rheumatism, swellings and diseases of the lungs. It is applied externally as a poultice on fractures. The fruit is a nutrient stomachic and anthelmintic. In Indo-China, the seed is used as a tonic and brain stimulant. MEDICINAL PLANTS FIG. 471 . Sapindus emarginaius. A , branch with leaves and inflorescence. B, male flower lateral view. C, male flower dorsal view. D, female flower lateral view. E, bisexual flower with calyx and corolla removed. F , longitudinal section of pistil. G, stamens and staminodes. H, fruit. I, dehiscing fruit. B—F, enlarged. •SAPINDACEAE 5. Sapindus emarginatus Vahl, Symb. Bot. 3: 54.1794. (Fig. 471). Sinh. Gas-penela, Penela; Tarn. Nekkoyddan, Panalai, Pouanga. A large tree with rough whitish bark and much branched spreading head and glabrous young parts; leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate, paripinnate, rachis 5—10 cm long, glabrous, leaflets 4—6, opposite or subopposite, 6.2—10 cm long, broadly oval or oval-oblong acute or rounded at base, rounded or emarginate at apex, glabrous above, glabrous or densely pubescent beneath, very stiff, convex above, greyish green with very prominent veins; flowers regular, polygamous, greenish white, very small, very shortly stalked, in large, much branched, spreading terminal spikes; sepals 5, imbricate, erect, obtuse; petals 5, distinct, erect, longer than sepals, oblong-linear, very silky with white down especially on margins and with a dense tuft in the centre but no scale; disc fleshy, annular, 5-lobed; stamens 8, as long as petals in male flowers and inserted within the disc, filaments hairy below; ovary superior, 2 or 3-locular with one erect ovule in each loculus; fruit 1.2 cm long, pericarp thick, fleshy, seed globular, black with a hard thick testa. Flowers in March. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat., pi. 154. 1868—1873; Wight, 111. Ind. Bot:, pi 51. 1838. . Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon. It is common in the low-country in Ceylon. India. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 538, Kew Distribution 1866—7. Madras: St. Thome; Beddome 331. Mt. Nilghiri and Kurg: Hooker f. andT. Thomson. Mysore: Kumsi, Meebold9648, Oct. 1908. Ceylon. Eastern Prov., Trincomalee,77in>a/7e',yC.P. 1151. NorthCentral Prov., Anuradha­ pura, Herb. Peradeniya, March 1883; Mahailluppallama, Herb. Peradeniya, March 1905. Southern Prov., Ruhuna National Park, Situlpahuwa, Mueller-Dombois 68022507, Feb. 1968; Ratanangala Beach, Mueller-Dombois and Comanor 67062221, June 1967; Batuwa Modera, Fosberg 50310, April 1968; Yala, Cooray 68052911/?, May 1968; Komawa Wewa, Comanor 409, Aug. 1967. North-Western Prov., Wilpattu National Park, Mueller-Dombois, Wirawan, Cooray and Bala-krishnan 69043002, April 1969. Composition. This tree contains the alkaloid, sanguinarine. Uses. The fruit of this tree is the popular "soap nut" used as a substitute for soap. The pericarp of the fruit is applied as an ointment on swollen glands in the throat and tonsils. The seed along with other ingredients is given for fever in children. 53 MEDICINAL PLANTS PLATE X X V I I . Sapindus trifoliatus. A, twig w i th leaves and panic le of flowers. B , ma le flower dorsal view. C, male flower wi th per ian th removed la teral view. D , s tamen . E , bisexual flower wi th pe r i an th removed la te ra l view. F , l o n g i t u d i n a l sec t ion of p i s t i l . B — F , en la rged . 54 PLATE X X V I I . Sapindus trifoliatus. A . twig wi th leaves and panic le of flowers. B , ma le flower dorsal view. C, mule flower w i th pe r i an th removed lateral view . D, s t amen . E, bisexual flower with pe r i an th removed la tera l v iew. F , l o n g i t u d i n a l sec t ion of p i s t i l . B - F , en larged. SAPINDACEAE 6. Sapindus trifoliatus Linn. Sp. Pi. 367. 17S3. (Plate XXVII). Sapindus laurifolius Vahl—Sapindus acutus Roxb.—Sapindus abstergens Roxb. Sinh. Kahapenela; Tarn. Manippungu, Nittavanji, Neykottan, Puvand, Puchikottai, Punalai; Sans. Arishta, Arishtaka, Arthasadhana, Garbhapatana, Guchhaphala, Krishnavarna, Kumbhabijaka, Mangalya, Phenila, Pijaphena, Prakirya, Raktabija, Rishta, Somavalkala. A medium-sized tree with pubescent young parts; leaves compound, alternate, exstipulate, pinnate, long-stalked, rachis IS—25 cm long, rigid, pubescent, leaflets 4—6 on very short, thick, pubescent petiolules, subopposite, 12.5—17.5 cm long, lanceolate or oval-lanceo­ late, acute at base, shortly acuminate, obtuse, entire, glabrous above, softly hairy beneath; flowers regular, polygamous, white, sweet-scented, small, numerous on short pedicels, in erect much branched, dense, pyramidal, terminal, more or less pubescent panicle; sepals 5, distinct, much imbricate, silky, obtuse, two outer much smaller; petals 5, distinct, linear-oblong, erect, longer than sepals; disc annular, fleshy; stamens 8 inserted within the disc, filaments hairy throughout; ovary superior, very hairy, 2 or 3-locular with one erect ovule in each loculus, fruit not seen. Flowers in July and November. Illustrations. Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 263. 1933; Herb. Perad­ eniya, drawing. Distribution. Much cultivated in S. India and is rather common in the moist low-country in Ceylon. India. Yellapore, Talbot 67, Sept. 1882. Concan: Stocks. Mysore: Meebold 9648, Oct. 1908. Madras: Beddome. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 2545. Cuba. Harvard Trop. Gard., cultivated, Jack 4340, March 1926. Composition. The oil extracted from the seeds of this tree contains n-eicosanic acid while the root bark contains saponin. Uses. The fruit of this tree is given internally as an emetic nauseant and expectorant. It relieves asthma and certain types of colic. As an errhine it is employed in heraicrania, asthma, hysteria and epilepsy. The root is also a useful expectorant. 55 MEDICINAL PLANTS FIG. 472. Schleichera oleosa. A, twig with a leaf and inflorescence. B, part of the inflorescence. C, bisexual flower lateral view. D, pisti I. E, longitudinal section of a very young fruit. F, stamens from bisexual flowers. G, male flower from front. H, male flower lateral view. I, stamens from male flowers. J, young fruit. K, mature fruits. B—D, F, G—I, enlarged. SAPINDACEAE 7. Schleichera oleosa Merr. Interp. Rumph. 337. 1917. (Fig. 472). Pistacia oleosa Lour.—Schleichera trijuga Willd.—Schleichera pubescens Roth—Melicocca trijuga Juss.—Melicocca pubescens DC.—Scyialia trijuga Roxb.—Stadmania trijuga Spreng.— Ciissambium spinos'um Ham.—Cussambium pubescens Ham.—Cussambium glabrum Ham. Engl. Ceylon Oak; Sinh. Kon, Kon-gas; Tom. Kolama, Konji, Konjivanji, Kumbadiri, Mirugakkottai, Mudgottan, Pu, Pulichai, Puvam, Sakkattai; Sans. Ghanaskandha, Jantupadapa, Koshamra, Krimivriksha, Kshudramra, Lakshavriksha, Raktamra, Sukoshaka, Suraktaka, Vanamra. A large tree with close branches and corrugated rough and cracked bark; leaves alternate, compound, paripinnate, rachis 7.5—18 cm long, bearing 4—6 leaflets, leaflets oblong, 7—18 cm long, 3.5—8 cm broad, opposite, coriaceous, truncate or emarginate at apex, dark green and shining on the upper surface, veins prominent beneath, margin recurved; flowers small, green, polygamo-dioecious, pedicellate, in lax, slightly branched, spicate panicles 5—12.5 cm long, from the young shoots below the new leaves; calyx 4—6 fid, segments acute, petals absent; disc flat, crenate at margin; stamens usually 7, inserted within the disc; ovary hairy, 3-locular with one erect ovule in each loculus, style long,stigma 3-lobed, capitate; fruits globular, apiculate, corky brown berries 1.7—2.2 cm diam. 1—2-chambered with a single seed in each chamber covered with an orange brown acid aril; seed exalbuminous, 1.3—1.4 cm long with a brittle brown testa. Flowers in February. Illustrations. Beddome Flor. Sylvat. pi. 119. 1868—1873; Brandis, III. For. Fl. of North­ west and Central India, pi. 20; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 262. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in the dry forests of India, Burma and Ceylon. India. Calcutta, Wallich 8080B ex Herb. Heyne, Mysore: Clarke 11304G, March 1870. Malabar, Concan, etc. Stocks, Law, etc. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 534, Kew Distribution 1866—7. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 1155. Eastern Prov., Inginiyagala, Sena- nayake Samudraya, Mueller-Dombois and Comanor 67072618, July 1967. Southern Prov., Ruhuna National Park, Rugantota, Mueller-Dombois and Cooray 67120612, Dec. 1967. Uses. The bark of this tree is astringent. With oil it is used as a cure for itch and rubbed externally to relieve pain in the back and loins. The oil extracted from the seeds is applied on the head to promote the growth of hair. In different parts of India it is used for different purposes such as a purgative, prophylactic against cholera, rheumatism, headaches and on skin diseases. In Cambodia, the bark is prescribed for malarial fever. 57 103. SAPOTACEAE 1. Madhuca fulva (Thw.) J. F. Macbr. in Contr. Gray Herb. 53: 18. 1918. Bassia fulva Bedd.—Ficus mysorensis Trim— Dasyaulus fulvus Thw. Sinh. Wana-mi. A moderate sized tree with a brownish grey bark and the young shoots densely covered with copious orange tomentum; leaves simple, alternate, few on stout densely tomentose petioles about 1.8 cm long, broadly oval or oblong-oval, acute or subacute at base, shortly acuminate, glabrous above when mature and fulvous hairy on veins beneath, rather thick depressed above and venation prominent beneath; flowers regular, bisexual, numerous, in clusters of 4—8 from tomentose, prominent bosses in axils of fallen leaves, pedicels 3.7 cm long, glabrous; sepals 4 in two pairs, the outer pair enclosing the inner, persistent, outer segments oval, acute, glabrous, recurved, inner segments obtuse, densely fulvous tomentose, erect; petals not seen; ovary superior, not seen; fruit (immature) 3.7 cm long, ovoid, pointed and glabrous. Flowers in April and August. Illustration. Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. A rare endemic species growing in the moist low-country in Ceylon below 1,000 feet altitude. Hewesse, Ekneligoda, etc. Ceylon. Ekneligoda, Thwaites CP. 3446. Uses. The leaves and bark of this tree are used on scalds and burns. 59 MEDICINAL PLANTS 60 FIG. 473. Madhuca longifolia. A , twig with leaves and flowers. B,C, flowers lateral view. D , longi tudinal section of flower. E, stamen. F, fruit. G,seed. SAPOTACEAE 61 2. Madhuca longifolia (Linn.) J. F. Macbr. in Contr. Gray Herb. 58:18. 1918. (Fig. 473), Bassia longifolia Koen. ex Linn.—Madhuca indica Gmel. Engl. Honey Tree jiSwA. Mi; Tarn. Illuppai, Iruppai, Kuligam, Kulisam, Maduragam, Mavagam, Nattiluppai, Seyilam, Tittinam; Hindi Moha, Mohua; Sans. Madbuka. A very large tree, much branched, bark thick, dark yellowish grey, slightly furrowed, young parts pinkish white, silky pubescent; leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, crowded at end of year's growth on slender petioles, 8.7—11.2 cm long, linear-lanceolate, tapering to both ends, slightly acuminate, quite glabrous when mature, thin, venation pellucid, petioles 1.2 cm long, stipules linear, very early caducous; flowers regular, bisexual, pale yellow, appearing with the young leaves and below them, solitary in axils of small deciduous bracts, pedicels 5—6.2 cm long, slender, rather thickened at the upper part, glabrous, erect, afterwards drooping; sepals 4 in two pairs, outer pair enclosing the inner, 1 cm long, ovate, acuminate, deciduous in fruits, outer pair nearly glabrous, inner pair finely tomentose; petals 8—12, fused into a fleshy inflated tube, lobes about as long as the tube, oblong, obtuse, erose, erect; stamens 16—24 in two tiers, upper tier quite sessile, lower with very short filaments, cordate at base, apiculate, 3-toothed at apex, hairy; ovary superior, 8-locular, ovules solitary in each loculus, hairy, style very long and much exserted; fruit obliquely ovoid, pointed, glabrous (tomentose when young), seed solitary (rarely 2), 3.7—4.2 cm long, ovoid, slightly compressed, straight on one edge and'curved on the other with a stout curved beak, hilum linear extending the whole length of the straight edge, testa thin, hard, brittle, shining, ocre-yellow. Flowers in February and May. Illustrations. Wight, 111. Ind. Bot. pi. 147. 1838; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. pi. 42. 1868— 1873; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,pi. 581. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon. It is common in the dry forest region in Ceylon but mostly planted in the moist low-country. India. Malabar, Concan, etc., Stocks, Law, etc. Ceylon. Northern Prov., Jaffna, Thwaites CP. 1797. Composition. The seeds yield a fixed oil. Uses. The bark is a good remedy for itch, swellings, fractures and snake-bite poisoning. The oil extracted from the seed is applied on swellings, rheumatism and other skin diseases. The heartwood made into a paste is applied on the throat for glandular swellings in the neck and throat. MEDICINAL PLANTS SAPOTACEAE 3. Madhuca neriifolia (Thw.) H. J. Lam. in Bull. Jard. Buit. Ser' 3, 7: 182. 1925. (Fig. 474). Bassia neriifolia Moon—Dasyaulus neriifolius Thw. Sinh. Gan-mi. A small tree with a dark brown bark and glabrous young parts; leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, numerous, scattered on short petioles, 10—17.5 cm long, oblong-linear, tapering to base, often apiculate, glabrous, rather thin, venation pellucid, stipules filifcrm, brown persistent; flowers regular, bisexual in clusters of about 6 from axils of leaves, pedicels about 2.5 cm long, erect or deflexed, glabrous; sepals 4 in two pairs, outer pair enclosing the inner, segments oval-lanceolate, acute, inner sepals silky hairy; petals 6, fused into a campanulate tube, lobes oblong, obtuse, silky outside, twisted; stamens 12 in one tier, sessile, very acute; ovary superior, 6-Iocular with a solitary ovule in eachloculus, style much exserted and persistent; fruit a linear-ovoid, beaked berry 2.5—3.7 cm long; seed solitary, 2.5 cm long, linear-ovoid, compressed, acute at both ends, shining, pale brown, hilum along the whole length of one side. Flowers in February and March. Illustrations. Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. pi. 254. 1868—1873; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Endemic to Ceylon, it grows in the moist low-country by streams. Ambegamuwa, Ratnapura, Hantane, Trincomalee, etc. Ceylon. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 235. Uses. The bark, root, heartwood and the oil extracted from the seeds of this tree are used for the same ailments as Madhuca longifolia is used. The oil is applied on wounds and sores caused by bears. 63 SAPOTACEAE 4. Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard in Ann. Mus. Col. Mar. 23: 9. 1915. Mimusops hexandra Roxb.—Mimusops indica A.DC. Sinh. Palu; Tarn. Pala, Palai, Sivandi, Sivani, Sukkilam, Ulakkaippalai; Hindi Khir Khirni, Kshiri, Ranjan; Sans. Dhupeshtha, Dridhaskandha, Guchhaphala; Kapishthu Kshirashukla, Kshiravriksha, Kshiri, Kshirika, Kshririni, Madhavodbhava, Madhuphala Nimbabija, Nripadruma, Phaladhyaksha, Rajadana, Rajadani, Rajanya, Rajaphala, Raja- vallabha, Shriphala. A large tree with an unbranched main trunk and a few blanches, bark blackish grey deeply furrowed vertically and young parts glabrous; leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate numerous, small, 3.7—7.5 cm long, broadly obovate, acute at base, truncate, emarginate or bilobed at apex, glabrous, subcoriaceous, venation pellucid, inconspicuous, petioles 1 cm long, channeled above; flowers small, regular, bisexual, pale yellow, numerous on slender curved rusty pedicels about 1 cm long, 1 —3 together in axils of leaves; sepals 6 in two rows, outer valvate enclosing the inner, 0.6 cm long, lanceolate, subacute, puberulous; petals 18, six longer than the rest, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, in 3 series; stamens 6, filaments as long as anthers which are acute but not acuminate, staminodes 6 alternating with the stamens, deeply laciniate, glabrous; ovary superior, 12-locular with a single ovule in each loculus, style simple, exserted; fruit a small, ovoid, smooth-red berry about 1.2 cm long; seed solitary (rarely 2) ovoid, reddish brown and shining. Flowers in February and March. Illustrations. Roxburgh, PI. Corom 1 :pl. 15. 1795; Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Or., pi. 1587. 1850; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants, pi. 584.1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India and Ceylon. It is very common in the forests of the dry zone in Ceylon. Ceylon. North Central Prov., Anuradhapura and Kalawewa, Herb. Peradeniya, Feb. 1888. Central Prov., Dambulia, Herb. Peradeniya, July 1887. Without locality, Thwaites CP. 1793. Uses. The bark of this tree has astringent properties and the timber is used for building purposes. The fruit is edible. 65 MEDICINAL PLANTS FIG. 475. Mimusops elengi. A, branch with leaves and flowers. B, partly opened flower bud. C, flower front view. D, flower lateral view. £, longitudinal section of flower. F , corolla opened out to show the stamens.G, flower with corolla removed showing pistil. H,stamens dorsal 66 and lateral view. I, fruit SAPOTACEAE 5. Mimusops elengi Linn. Sp. PI. 349. 1753. (Fig. 475). 67 Sinh. Munamal; Tarn. Alagu, JJanji, Kesaram, Magil, Magilam, Makil, Mukalai, Vagalam, Vakudam, Vilva-pattiri; Hindi Bakul, Bolsari, Maulsarau, Maulser, Mulsari; Sans. Anangaka.Bakula.Chirapushpa, Dhanvi, Dohala, Gudhapushpaka, Kantha, Karuka, Keshara, Madhupanjara, Madhupushpa, Makula, Padyamoda, Sharadika, Sidhugandha, Sindhugandha, Sinhakeshara, Sthirakusuma, Shrimukhagandha, Shrimukhamadhu, Surabhi, Tailanga, Varalahdha, Visharada. A large tree with an erect trunk and a compact leafy globular head, bark reddish brown, branchlets drooping, young parts silky with fine adpressed hair; leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, numerous, distant, large, 11.2— 15 cm long, oval, subacute at base, acuminate, obtuse at apex, undulate, glabrous, dark green and shining on the upper surface, paler beneath, lateral veins very numerous and slender, petioles slender, cylindrical, 2.5 cm long, stipules minute, lanceolate quickly falling off; flowers small, regular, bisexual, white becoming cream coloured, sweet-scented, in axillary fascicles of 1—4, pedicels 0.6—0.8 cm long, adpressed pubescent, often deflexed; sepals 8 in two series, outer valvate enclosing the inner, lanceolate, subacute, outer ones pubescent; petals 24 in series of 8 each, corolla-tube short and fleshy, lobes linear- oblong, acute, often slightly lacerate; stamens 8, inserted at base of corolla-tube, anthers nearly sessile, sharply acuminate, cells divergent at base, staminodes 8, alternating with the stamens, oval, acuminate, hairy on outside; ovary superior, silky-pubescent, 8-locular with a solitary ovule in each loculus, style simple, tapering, exserted; fruit a fleshy berry, over 2.5 cm long, ovate-ovoid or ovoid, apiculate, pubescent when young, afterwards glabrous, orange-yellow; seed solitary, ovoid, compressed, brown and shining. Flowers in March. Illustrations. Roxburgh, PI. Corom. 1: pi. 14. 1795; Gaertner, Fruct. et Sem. Plant. l:p/.42.1788;Wight,Ic.Pl.Ind. Or.,p/. 1586. 1850; Beddome, Flor. Sylvat. pi.40. 1868—1873; Rumphius, Herb. Amb. 2:pl. 63.1741; Kirtikar and Basu, Indian Med. Plants,p/. 583/4. 1933; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing. Distribution. Occurs in India, Ceylon, Malay Peninsula and Andaman Islands. It is rather common in the low-country in Ceylon, often cultivated. India. Silhet: Wallich 41461. Ganget. Plain, T. Thomson. North Canara: Talbot, May 1882; Wallich 4146/v. Malabar, Concan, etc. Stocks, Law, etc. Pen. Ind. Or., Herb. Wight 1739 Kew Distribution 1866—7. Ceylon. Kahaduwa, King, May 1927. Without locality, Thwaites, CP. 1794. Maldive Islands. Didi 116, 1896. Composition. The bark and flowers of this tree contain an alkaloid, while the bark has in addition a tannin and a saponin. The seeds contain a toxic principle and a saponin, mimusops-saponin. The leaves do not contain saponin. Uses. A decoction of the bark of this tree is used as a gargle for diseases of the gums and teeth and taken internally for discharges of the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra. It is useful for treating fever and is supposed to increase fertility in women. Along with the flowers, it is given in diarrhoea. The young fruit in decoction is used as gargle for treating sprue and is chewed for strengthening gums. The pulp of the ripe fruit cures chronic dysentery. The flowers serve as a cosmetic owing to their fragrance, while the ripe fruit is made into pickles and preserves. The bark is a source of tannin. 104. SCROPHULARIACEAE 1. Adenosma capitatum Benth. ex Fl. Brit. Ind. 4: 264, 1884. Stemodia camphorata Moon.—Pterostigma capitat