617. Spermacoce hispida, Linn. III. 200 ; Roxb. 125.
Vern. : — Nutteechoorie (Tam.) ; Thartavel (Mal.) ; Madana-ghanti (Tel.) ; Ghânta-chibaji (Concan) ; Madana ghanti (H ; ) ; Pitua arak (Santal).
Habitat : — Throughout India, from the Western Himalaya at Simla, to Assam, and southwards to Ceylon.
Procumbant herb, scabrid hispid or hirsute. Root-stock annual or perennial. Branches 6-14in., ascending, stout, 4- angled. Leaves subsessile, ½-1½ by ⅓-⅔in., often rounded at the tip, rigidly coriaceous, ovate, spathulate, oblong or elliptic obtuse or acute, margins plater-waved, sometimes thickened and cartilaginous. Flowers 4-6 in a whorl. Calyx-teeth linear-lanceolate. Corolla 1/6-½in., blue or white. Stigmas 2, very short Capsule 1/5in. long, hispid or pubescent, rounded at base. Seeds oblong, granulate, opaque, very variable, 1/10-⅛in. long, narrow or broad.
Use : — The root possesses properties similar to Sarsaparilla. It is used as an alterative, and is generally prescribed in the form of a decoction (Ainslie). The seeds have been recommended as a substitute for coffee.
618. Rubia cordifolia, Linn, h.f.b.i., iii. 202.
Syn. : — R. Munjista, Roxb. 125.
Sans. : — Manjishtha.
Vern. : — Majith, Manjit (H. and Bomb.) ; Munjith, Aroona (B.) ; Manjiti, shevelli (Tam.) ; Poont (Mal.) ; Mandastic, Tamravalli (Tel.) ; Manjustha (Kan.) ; Itári (Bomb).
Habitat : — Throughout the hilly districts of India, from the N.-W. Himalaya eastwards, and southwards to Ceylon and Malacca.
A scandent herb. Root perennial, very long, cylindric, flexuose, with a thick cortex. Stems very long, often many yards, becoming slightly woody at base, flexible, tough, cylindric. Bark white, branches scandent, by means of the many numerous divaricate or deflexed branchlets and petioles, quadrangular,
