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Rh usually with beaks, as long as themselves. Flowers yellow, becoming white when fading.

The stems afford a good fibre.

A very common weed in Ceylon in the dry country.

Use : -The root is held in great, repute by natives in the treatment of rheumatism (Ph. Ind.). The stems abound in mucilage, and are employed as demulcents and emollients both for external and internal use.

Syn : — S. orientalis, Cav. Diss I ; t. 12. Sans.: — Mahàbalâ.

Vern.: — Swetberela (B.) ; kSufed-bariyala (H.) ; Athiballa-chettu (TAM.)

Leaves rhomboid, hoary beneath ; peduncles jointed at the base ; carpellary awns very short inflected. The flowers expand at noon (Roxb.)

Use : — Medicinal properties resemble those of other species (WATT.)

Sans. : — Batyálaka ; Balá.

Vern. : — Kungyee, kharati, bariar (H.) ; Barila, balá (B.) ; Chikná (Mar.); Kharenti (Pb.) ; Bariára (Sind.) ; Muttava, kobirsir bhaji (Konkan); chiribena, tettagorra chettu, tella antisa, (Tel).

The seeds. Beejbund (H.) ; Hamaz, chukai (Pb.).

Annual or perennial, downy, erect. Leaves 1½-2 by 1-1¼ in., cordate- oblong obtuse crenate, very downy on both surfaces, petiole as large as the leaf. Stipules linear, half the length of the petiole. Peduncles jointed near the flower, lower distant, longer than the petioles, upper crowded, very short. Flowers rather small. Carpels furrowed at the back, sides reticulated,