Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/664

584 sometimes contorted, 1-3 at times, 4ft. long by 1-1½in. broad. Seeds corrugate, numerous.

" Except in the fruit this agrees altogether with T. cucumerina, of which it is probably a cultivated form " (C.B.Clarke).

Use : — The seeds are considered a cooling medicine (T. N. Mukerji).

Syn. : — Cucurbita lagenaria, Linn, Roxb. 700.

Sans. : — Alabu ; Katutumbi (bitter variety).

Vera. ; — Kaddu, Lauki (H) ; Harrea Kaddu (Dec). Láu (B.) ; Shora-kai (Tel.) ; Bella-sehora (Mal.); Sora-kaya ; Anapa-kai (Tel.) ; Hunea-kuddoo (Dec).

The bitter variety known as : — Karwi-tumbi (H.) ; Tikta- láu (B.) ; Kadwa-bhopla (Bomb.) ; Kadu-bhopali ; Dudha- bhopala (Mar.).

Habitat: — Cultivated throughout India.

A large, pubescent, climbing annual. Tendrils 2-fid. — Leaves often Gin. diam., softly pubescent on both surfaces, more or less 5-angular or 5-lobed, ovate or orbicular, cordtate, dentate. Petioles long, with 2 glands at its apex. Flowers large, white, solitary, monoecious or diocious. Male peduncle often 6in. Female peduncle lin. Calyx-tube funnel-shaped, sub campanulate, teeth 5, narrow, ½in., pubescent. Petals l-2in., 5, ovate; stamens 3, anthers connate, included, one 1-eelled, two 2-celled, cells conduplicate, rudiment of ovary 0. Female Calyx and Corolla as in the male. Ovary oblong, style short, with 3 bifid stigmatic lobes. Ovules many, horizontal. Fruit often l½ft. or more, usually bottle or dumb-bell shaped, thick membranous, almost woody when old, indehiscent. Seeds ¾by ⅜ and ⅛in., with an impressed groove parallel to and near the margin.

Uses : — The seeds of this plant yield an oil which is used as an application for headache. The flesh of the fruit is considered diuretic, refrigerant and antibilious. It is also sometimes made into a poultice ; when fresh, it is bitter and purgative,