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Rh (Murray.) The bark and fresh leaves for diarrhœa ; also flowers rubbed with sugar and water are given in gonorrhœa by the villagers of Porebunder to stop the burning caused by urine (J. Tndraji.)

All the species of this genus are mucilaginous, and are used as demulcents, but this is the one generally so employed * *  The burr-like fruit is believed in India to promote parturition (Dymock.)

Sans. '-— Kála Sáka.

Vern. : — Harrawa (Shahjahanpur District) Ghinalta pat, Narcha, Chouchen (Bombay); Chhuneht, Borachhûncht (Gujrat, Porebunder). — J. Indraji.

Habitat : — Throughout the hotter parts of India. Low-country, Ceylon.

An annual herb. Leaves 2-4 by ¾ in., glabrescent, oblong, acuminate, coarsely toothed ; base generally prolonged into tail- like appendages ; petiole 1½ in. Stipules ¼-⅓ in. Flowers yellow, less than half an inch in diameter ; pedicillate. Capsule oblate, subglobose, 5-celled, wrinkled, muricate, 5-valved, valves without transverse septa. Seeds few in each cell (Maxwell T. Masters).

Parts used : —The leaf. Dried root and unripe fruit in diarrhœa, in decoction (Indraji.)

Use : — The dried leaves are used medicinally, being eaten at breakfast-time with rice, in cases of dysentery.

The cold infusion is also administered as a tonic in dysenteric complaints, fever, and dyspepsia (Watt).

Sans. : — Nádika, patta, sing-giká.

Vern.: — (Gujrat and Porebunder) Chhûnchdo. Moti Chhûnch ; Mahâ Chanchu. Singhin janascha (H.) ; Pát, lali-