Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 1).djvu/704

624 ence in size, colour, and hairiness in the two forms, but there is a series of connecting links through the variety hebecarpa. In C. Roxburghiana, the ultimate segments of the lower cauline leaves are narrowly linear-lanceolate ; bractioles 4-8 linear- lanceolate, with scarious ciliate margins, fruit more distinctly rigid, sub-pentagonal, the vittæ very minute, petals hairy.

C. B. Clarke describes the general character of C. stictocarpum thus ; — Glabrous, or minutely hairy. Root fusiform. Stem l-3ft. erect, much branched. Leaves 2-pinnate, ultimate segments often 1 by 1/12 in., nearly linear : bracteoles ¼in., rays 6-12, ½-2in., equal, slender ; pedicels 8-20, ⅛-¼ in. Ovary minutely pubescent. Fruit 1/24-1/16 in., ovoid, ultimately shining, yellow, the dots microscopical, ridges faint ; carpels semiterete ; vittæ solitary, small.

Variety hebecarpa : — -fruit 1/16-1/12 in., hispidulous, sometimes densly so and fuscous.

Use : — The seeds are useful in hiccup, vomiting, and pain in the bladder. They form an ingredient of carminative and stimulant preparations, and are useful in dyspepsia.

Syn. : — Ligusticum Ajouan, Roxb. 271, Ptychotis Ajowan DC.

Sans. : — Yamâni.

Vern. : — Ajowan, ajwâin (H) ; Jowân (B.) ; Ajamo (Guz.) ; Chohara (cutch.) ; Owa (Mar.); Jawind (Kashmir); Aman, oman (Tam.); Omami, omamu (Tel.); Omu, oma (Kan.); Ajwân, owâ (Bom.). :

Eng. :— The Bishop's weed.

Habitat : — Cultivated extensively in India, from the Punjab and Bengal to the South Deccan.

An erect annual, 1-3 ft. high, glabrous or minutely pubescent. Leaves rather distant, 2-3-pinnate ; ultimate segments 1 in., all linear. Bracts usually many, linear, sometimes divided ; bracteoles 3-5, small, linear. Rays of umbel pubescent. Flowers pure white. Fruit 1/12 in., ovoid, muricate, sub-hispid, carpels dorsally compressed, ridges distinct ; vittæ solitary, small. (Duthie).

Uses : — In native practice, they are much valued for their antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic, and carminative properties. They are administered in flatulence, atonic dyspepsia and