Synonym C. vulgaris Lam. Family b Fagaceae.
Habitat b Darjeeling, Khasi Hills, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
English Spanish Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut.
Folk Singhaaraa (not to be confused with water-chestnut, Tripa natans
L.)
Action Leaves—astringent,
antitussive and febrifuge (used for fevers and diseases of the
respiratory tract). An infusion is used as a gargle in pharyngitis, proxysmal coughs, catarrh and
whooping cough. Nuts—extract, as
platelet inhibitor in thrombosis and
atherosclerosis.
The leaves contain tannins (8—9%) flavone glycosides, triterpenoids, urso - lic acid, lupeol and betulin. Heartwood contains 61.4% tannins and 25.7% nontannins. The wood and bark contain 7— 14 and 8—14% tannins respectively.
Nuts are eaten raw, roasted or boiled like potatoes. Nuts contain protein,
Casuarina equisetifolia Linn. Family Casuarinaceae.
Habitat Cultivated in coastal regions of Peninsular India.
English Casuarina, She-Oak, Australian or Whistling Pine, Beefwood.
Ayurvedic Jhaau, Vilaayati Jhaau. Siddha/Tamil Savukku.
Action Bark—astringent, antidiarrhoeal. Leaf—antispasmodic, used in colic. Aerial parts— hypoglycaemic.
The plant contains kaempferol glycoside, quercetin glycoside, cupressuflavone, tannins, shikimic acid, quinic acid, amino acids, sugars.
Catharanthus roseus
(L.) G. Don.
Synonym Vinca rosea L. Lochnera rosea (L.) Reichub.
Family b Apocynaceae.
132 Cayratia carnosa (Wall.) Gagnep.
Habitat Commonly grown in Indian gardens.
English Madagascar Periwinkle (Vinca major L. Pich. and Vinca minor Linn. are known as Greater Periwinkle and Lesser Periwinkle respectively).
Folk Sadaabahaar, Nayantaaraa, Nityakalyaani.
