antibacterial activity against E. coli and Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus. Flowers contain anthocyanin.
Laportea crenulata Gaudich.
Family Urticaceae.
Habitat Tropical Himalayas from
Nepal eastwards, Bihar, Chota
Nagpur, Bengal, Assam, Anaimalai
Hills and Western Ghats in Kerala.
English Devil Nettle, Fever Nettle.
Siddha/Tamil Perunkanchori.
Folk Utigun, Chorpaat (Bengal). (Uttangan is equated with Blepharis edulis Pers.)
Action Root—juice used in chronic fevers. Roots and leaves are applied to swellings and abscesses.
Larix griffithiana Carr.
Synonym L. griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms.
Family Pinaceae.
Habitat The Himalayas from eastern Nepal to Bhutan at altitudes of 2,400—3,600 m.
English Himalayan Larch, Sikkim Larch.
Folk Boargasella, Binyi (Nepal).
Action Balsam—antiseptic, hypermic.
Key application Larix decidua Miller—in rheumatic and neuralgic discomforts, catarrhal diseases of the respiratory tract, furuncle (in the form of ointments, gels, emulsions and oils). (German Commission E.)
American Larch is equated with Larix laricina Koch., synonym L. americana Micbx. It is known as Tamarac.
Lathyrus sativus Linn. 363
European Larch is equated with Larix decidua Miller., synonym L. europea DC., Pin us larix L., Abies larix. It is known as Pine Larch.
The bark of American Larch contains 2—15% tannins. The bark of Larix dedidua is also astringent, balsamic and diuretic. It contains hgnans; lariciresinol, liovil and secoisolariciresinol; 60—80% resins; essential oil, containing alpha- and beta-pinene, limonene, phellandrene, borneol as maj or constituents.
Lasia spinosa (L.) Thw.
Synonym Lasia aculeata Linn. Family Araceae.
Habitat Tropical Sikkim Himalayas, Assam, Bengal and Southwards to Sri Lanka.
