Abutilon asiaticum. Anoda, S. Root a tonic, also used for piles.

Acalypha indica. Kuppameniya, S. (Euphorbiaceae.) Vermifugal and carminative, also applied to sores.

Aegle Marmelos. Bael-fruit; Beli, S. Unripe fruit boiled, freed from fibre and sweetened, is a well-known remedy for dysentery; also taken for piles.

Caesalpinia Bonduc. Kumburu-wel, S. Tender lvs. applied for toothache; also given for worms in children.

Calotropis gigantea. Wara, S. Green lvs. applied to dispel swellings. Root a tonic. Milk (latex) from stems used for leprosy.

C. Fistula. Ehela, S; Pudding-pipe. (qv.) Fruit purgative ; bark astringent; used for rheumatism.

Coscinium fenestratum. See Calumba Root.

Daemia extensa. Meda-hangu, S ; Veliparatti, T. (Asclepiadeae.) Emetic ; given as an expectorant in bronchitis.

Eclipta alba. Kikirindi, S. (Compositae.) Lvs. taken to purify the blood.

Emilia sonchifolia. Kadupara, S. (Compositae.) Used for cuts and wounds.

Hemidesmus indicus. Iramusu, S. See Sarsaparilla.

Hibiscus micranthus. Perumaddi, T. A valuable febrifuge. (Trimen.)

Hygrophila spinosa. Katu-ikiri, S. (Acanthaceae.) Whole plant used for diabetes.

Justicia Betonica. Sudhu-puruk, S. Lvs. used as poultices for boils.

Lasia spinosa. Kohila, S. (Aroideae.) A common remedy for piles. 

Limonia alata. Tumpat-kurundu, S. (Rutaceae.) Lvs. and bark used in fomentations for rheumatic pains.

Musa sapientum. Plantain or Banana. Juice from lvs. taken as antidote for snake-poison.

Ocimum sanctum. Maduru-tala, S. Mosquito-plant. Aromatic herb, used in decoctions for coughs ; sometimes chewed as a substitute for betel.

Operculina. See Ipomoea Turpethum.

Oroxylum indicum. Totila, S. (Bignoniaceae.) A tree. Bark a bitter tonic.

Oxystelma esculentum. Kulappalai, T. Twiner. Lvs. a cure for hydrophobia.

Phyllanthus Emblica. Nelli, S (q.v.). Fruits a cooling laxative.

Piper Betle. Betel-leaf; Bulat-wel, S. See Masticatories.

P. longum. Tippili, S. Roots and dried flower-spikes used for dyspepsia.

P. zeylanicus. Iri-veriya, S. Whole plant aromatic and carminative ; used for dysentery.

Pongamia glabra. Magul-karanda, S. (Leguminosae.) Large tree. Juice of roots used for sores ; also for cleaning the teeth and strengthening the gums.

Randia dumetorum. Kukuruman, S. Root decoction taken for indigestion.

Ricinus communis. Castor Oil; Tel-endaru, S. See Fixed Oils.

Saccharum officinarum. Sugar-cane. Juice commonly used in decoctions (q.v.).

Salacia reticulata. Himbutuwel, S. Decoction of roots given in diabetes.

S. xanthocarpum. Ela-batu, S. Used for catarrhal fever, asthma, etc.

Tephrosia purpurea. Pila, S ; Kavilai, T. Common village medicine for children.

T. spinosa. Mukavaliver, T. Popular bazaar drug.

Tylophora asthmatica. Bin-nuga, S. (Asclepiadeae.) Roots possess similar properties to Ipecacuanha (q.v.).

Vernonia anthelmintica. Sanni-nayan, S. Used for fever convulsions.

V. cinera. Monara-kudumbia, S. Used for wounds ; also a diaphoretic.

Withania somnifera. Amukkara, S. Used for cough and asthma (q.v.).

Zingiber officinale. Ginger; Inguru, S. A well-known stimulant and aromatic; taken for indigestion, fever, etc. See Spices.

Martynia diandra, " Naga-darana," S (leaves and fruit); 

Cultivation and yield. In Ceylon the Areca-nut palm thrives in the moist low-country, up to about 3,000 ft. in moist valleys. It requires little or no cultivation when once established, seedlings being planted closely (sometimes allowed to grow up spontaneously, like the Palmyra), generally mixed with other trees or crops. The palm requires but little space, and an acre may contain as many as 1,800 trees or more, i.e. if spaced about 5 x 5 ft. It takes 6-8 years to come into bearing, and at maturity an annual yield of about 200-250 nuts per palm, or about 8-12 cwt. per acre may be obtained, according to variety and locality. The trees continue productive for 25 years or longer, and may live for several years afterwards. The area under Areca-nuts in Ceylon is estimated to be equivalent to about 75,000 acres, practically all owned by peasants. In addition to local consumption, some 5,000 tons of the nut are exported annually from Ceylon, chiefly to India, and fetch about 18s. per cwt. The palm may be seen in almost every native garden, and is often planted closely in boundaries, for which purpose it is well adapted. Among varieties, '' Hamban-puwak," with a longish ovoid nut, and '' Rata-" or " Batavia-puwak," with a large roundish nut, are well known. "Karunka" is the dried, ripe, husked (decorticated) nut, about 10,000 of which go to a cwt. Tender unripe nuts, cut into thin slices, are known as " Kali " and, being more astringent than the ripe nut, are sometimes preferred for chewing ; these are also used in medicine.

Betel-leaf ; Bulath-vel, S ; Veth-thile, T ; Pan (Hind.) ; Sirih (Mal.), (Piper Betle. Piperaceae.) A perennial, evergreen climber or creeper, with large heart-shaped leaves, indigenous to Ceylon, India, and Malaya, cultivated throughout tropical Asia for the sake of the leaves. The latter are universally used in the Eastern Tropics for chewing in a green state, forming the masticatory commonly known as " betel " (" bulath," S), the other ingredients being lime, areca-nut, etc. (see above). The leaves have a sharp pungent taste and sustaining properties.

The habit of betel-chewing is considered advantageous to a people whose ordinary food includes but little or no flesh, providing the antacid, tonic, and carminative which they require" (Emerson Tennent). The plants require a rich, humous, moist soil and a partially shaded situation. They are readily propagated by cuttings, which may be planted against poles, trellises, or tree-trunks for supports, and are generally grown in enclosed '' gardens "or squares, which are strictly guarded. In India, the plant is cultivated in low sheds or " betel houses."

Varieties. In addition to (lie ordinary type, the following varieties are known in Ceylon : " Rata Bulath-vel " or " Siribo Bulath " ; " Naga walli-bulath" (with variegated leaves); " Getatodu-bulath " ; " Mala-bulath "�; " Gal-bulath " ; " Gas-bulath " ; and " Dalu-kotu-bulath."

Kola-nut ; Bissy- or Gooroo-nut. (Cola acuminata. Sterculiaceae.) A tree of W. Trop. Africa, 30�40 ft. high, with large ovate-acuminate, leathery leaves, introduced and sometimes cultivated as a minor crop in the W. Indies (where it is naturalised), Ceylon (introduced in 1879), Malaya and other tropical countries. It bears stout, warty, green pods, 5-7 in. long, containing 6-10 or more large, pink, purplish or white seeds, which become dark brown on drying. The nuts (seeds) have stimulating and sustaining properties, due to the presence of 2% of caffein (kolatine), and are a popular and universal masticatory throughout Central and N. C. Africa. They are imported to some extent into Europe and other countries, and used in various preparations, as kola-wine, kola-chocolate, in medicine, etc., but the demand is at present limited. The Kola-nut ranks next in importance to the Oil-palm (Elaeis) in W. Trop. Africa. From the Gold Coast alone, the export to adjoining territories amounts, it is estimated, to some 7,000 tons a year.

Several species or varieties of Cola are recognised, and there seems some doubt as to whether the true Kola-nut is furnished by C. acuminata, C. nitida, or C. vera. The first named, however, is generally accepted as the correct source. Some trees produce a few or all white seeds, which are the most highly valued for chewing and command the highest price locally. Where both white and red " nuts " are produced on the same tree, the proportion of the former is said to increase as the tree grows older. Trees raised from white nuts do not always come true. Thus a plot of 68 trees raised from white " nuts " at Aburi gave 15,339 white and 3,189 red nuts, i.e. 82-8% white; 9 trees gave white nuts only, or 13% pure. Normally the seed consists of 2 stout cotyledons, which separate on drying, forming the so-called " nuts." In some cases each cotyledon is divided, forming " quarter nuts," which fetch a lower price. The cotyledons of C. Ballayi are said to be each divided into 4 or 6 parts, thus forming still smaller " nuts."

Cultivation and yield. The tree is suited to low elevations and up to 2,000 ft., requires deep and well-drained soil, a moderate rainfall, and only light shade, if any, after the trees are well established. Planting distances may be about 25-30 ft. each way. It is propagated by seed, which must be sown perfectly fresh, and begins to bear fruit when 5 or 6 years old. It should be in full bearing when about 12 years old, producing in Ceylon two crops a year, in June-July and Dec.-January. The yield is variable, 200 - 400 pods per mature tree being considered a fair average crop, but some trees yield much more. Each pod contains from 6 to 12 seeds (nuts), and 40-50 of these go to a pound.

In the Gold Coast, practically the whole trade consists in supplying fresh " nuts " to adjoining states, the price ranging from 3d to 1s. per 100 for full-sized " nuts," according to freshness and distance travelled. For export, they are merely dried in the sun or shade, then put into strong bags. In 1890, kola-nuts were worth 2s. 6d. per lb. in London ; at the present time they fetch about 3d.-6d. per lb. The export of kola-nuts from Ceylon in 1922 was 68 cwt., valued at about �86.

Poisonous plants differ in degree of harmfulness, and the poisonous properties are sometimes affected by local conditions of soil and climate, and even by cultivation. Mathieus, In Gardens' Bulletin, Straits Settlements, Nov. 1918; Rutter at Tropical Congress London, 1921; and Administration Report, Director of Agriculture, Gold Coast, 1920. They may also vary according to season. Certain parts of a plant may be highly poisonous, while others are innocuous, e.g. Nux-vomica, which has very poisonous seeds, but the fruit appears to be harmless. The poisonous properties may consist in stinging hairs, i.e. hollow siliceous hairs containing formic or other acid (e.g. Laportea); minute sacs containing spicules of calcium oxalate (e.g. many Aroideae); a heavy acrid oil in leaves, bark, etc. (as Semecarpits and other Anacardiaceae); or alkaloids contained in the seed or cell-sap, e.g. Upas-tree and species of Strychnos, as used in making arrow- or dart-poison.

Poisonous properties are attributed to various species of the leguminous family, e.g. Indigofera, Lupinus, Crotalaria, Laburnum, Tephrosia, etc., many of which are considered dangerous to stock. Certain vegetables are poisonous in the raw state, but harmless when cooked, e.g. Cassava (q.v.). Certain bean seeds of the leguminous family, especially those with pink or brown shell, are considered poisonous until cooked. The following are some well-known poisonous plants.

Abrus precatorius. Olinda-wel; Indian Liquorice. A slender, perennial climber, the bright red and black seeds of which furnish an acrid poison, and are often used criminally in India for killing cattle by arrows. The seeds are powdered and formed into a paste, with which the darts or arrows are dressed. An arrow-wound is thus generally fatal within 24 hrs. The poisonous property is believed to be in the red covering of the seed. Boiling renders the seed harmless.

Alyxia zeylanica. Wal-kaduru or Wasa-kaduru, S. (Apocynaceae.) A shrub. found in the drier parts of Ceylon ; the milky juice is poisonous.

Cerbera Odollam. Gon-kadura, S. Small tree with acrid, milky juice and white, scented fls., common in low-country of Ceylon, chiefly near the sea. The seeds are an irritant poison.

Datura fastuosa. Thorn-apple; Attana, S. Small shrub., with large lvs. and white or purple, trumpet-shaped fls.; fruit round, covered with numerous prickles ; very poisonous. Several other spp., all poisonous. See Ceylon Med. Plants.

Datura suaveolens. Trumpet-flower; Rata-attana, S (q.v.). The round, green, prickly fruits are a well-known poison.

Derris elliptica. Tuba (Malaya). Large climber of India and Malaya. Bark and fls. commonly used as fish-poison, and juice as arrow-poison. Roots, pounded in water, used in Malaya against termites, crickets, etc. Cultivated in Malaya and exported for insecticidal purposes under the name of " derris powder." D. uliginosa (Kala-wel of Ceylon) has been found to have similar properties. Derris root is quoted in London at about 1s. per lb.

Dieffenbachia, many species and varieties. Dumb-cane. Herbaceous, branchless, succulent plants, bearing a crown of large variegated lvs., commonly cultivated for ornament. The juice is highly acrid and poisonous ; the slightest contact of a portion of .it with the tongue will cause paralysis of the latter, making speech difficult for several days.

Euphorbia Antiquorum. Daluk, S. See Cacti or Succulent Plants. The acrid milky juice is poisonous, causing blindness on coming in contact with the eyes. 

E. tortilis. Sinuk, S. A small leafless tree ; milky juice acrid and poisonous.

Girardinia heterophylla. Elephant- or Nilgiri-Nettle; Gas-kahambiliya, S. (Urticaceae.) A tall herb, covered with stinging, poisonous hairs; found in forests of montane zone.

Gloriosa superba. Niyangala or Ventonti, S (q.v.). The large fleshy tubers are poisonous and sometimes eaten by the poorer classes in mistake for edible yams, often with fatal results. The tubers, however, are said to possess important med. properties, and are occasionally enquired for from Europe.

Hura crepitans. Sandbox Tree. A large upright tree of Trop. America and W. Indies, with thorny stem and brittle wood, characterised by acrid poisonous milky juice, which may cause blindness on coming in contact with the eyes. Introduced to Ceylon in 1848. See Curious Fruits.

Hydnocarpus venenata. Makulu, S. (Bixaceae.) A medium-sized tree with smooth bark, common in low-country of Ceylon ; fruits poisonous, used for poisoning fish.

Hyoscyamus niger. Henbane. See Drugs. Lvs. and seed narcotic and poisonous.

Isotoma longiflora. (Campanulaceae.) A small herb, annual, 1-2 ft. high, with white fls. Native of the W. Indies, introduced and naturalised in Ceylon, being now a common roadside weed. It has an acrid, poisonous, milky juice, and has been considered to be the cause of deaths amongst ponies on the Delft Island, north of Ceylon.

Acokanthera spectabilis. (Apocynaceae.) African arrow-poison. A large shrub with white, scented fls. The milky juice of the roots and shoots used by natives in W. Trop. Africa for poisoning their arrows.

Arttiaris toxicaria Upas Tree; Riti, S. (Urticaceae.) The celebrated ordeal-poison tree of Java, at one time supposed to give off poisonous fumes fatal to animal life. The sap of the bark contains a virulent poison known as " Ipoh," which is effectively used for poisoning darts or arrows. See Fibres.

Cerbera Tanghin. (Apocynaceae.) Tanghin Poison. A small tree with a milky juice, whose fruits are the famous ordeal-poison of Madagascar.

Dioscorea doemona. A climber belonging to the Yam family (Dioscoreaceae). The juice of the tuber, obtained by boiling, is said to be used with that of the Upas-tree (Antiaris) in Java for arrow-poison.'

Erythrophleum guineense. Sassy Bark. (Leguminosae.) A well-known poisonous tree of Sierra Leone; introduced to Ceylon in 1888. The very poisonous bark was formerly used in ordeal trials and for poisoning arrows.

Excoecaria Agallocha. Agallocha ; Blinding-tree ; Tala-kiriya, S. (Euphorbiaceae.) A small tree with milky, acrid juice, which blisters the skin. The tree is held in fear by the natives of Fiji, where the juice is used as a cure for leprosy. Common on the coast of Ceylon and other Eastern tropical countries.

Hippomane Mancinella. Manchineal Tree. (Euphorbiaceae.) A well-known poisonous swamp-tree, common near the coast in Trop. S. America and some W. Indian islands. The acrid, milky juice is poisonous, and has earned for the tree a reputation almost as notorious as that of the Upas-tree of Java, it being stated that " even grass will not live under it."

Physostigma venenosum. Calabar Bean. (Leguminosae.) A large twining climber, whose large, ovoid, dark-brown seeds are the famous ordeal-beans of Old Calabar. The plant is now comparatively rare, its destruction having been ordered by Government.

Strophanthus hispidus and other species. Ripe seeds contain an active poison (strophanthine), long used for poisoning arrows in Trop. Africa.

Strychnos spp. The poisonous seeds of several species are used in Africa for making ordeal decoctions, also in Malaya for arrow-poisons. The root-bark of S. Tieute * of Java yields a virulent poison called Tjettik or Upas-radja. S. Nux-vomica yields the powerful poison strychnine, S. toxifera and others the famous Curare- or Wourali-poison of Trop. America, obtained from the bark by maceration in water. See Curare.

Tabernaemontana malaccensis. Prachek. A large shrub. with white fls. and orange-red fruits. The milky juice is used in the preparation of arrow-poison in Malaya.

* Ipoh poison. Climber. Drug and poison.