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CAPPARIDACEAE<br />
6. Polanisia icosandra (Linn.) Wight and Arn., Prodr. Fl. Penin. Ind. Orient. 22. 1834. (Fig. 109).<br />
Cleome viscosa Linn.—Cleome icosandra Linn.—Cleome acutifolia Elm.—Polanisia viscosa Thw.<br />
Sinh. Ran-manissa, Wal-aba; Tarn. Nayikadugu, Nayivelai; Hindi HulhuJ, Hurhur,<br />
Hurhurch, Jungliharrar, Kanphytia; Sans. Adityabhakta, Arkabhakta, Arkakanta, Barbara,<br />
Mandukaparni, Manduki, Raviprita, Ravishta, Sauri, Satyanamni, Suryalata, Suvarchala,<br />
Suteja, Tilparni, Vikranta.<br />
An annual erect herb, 30—90 cm tall, softly glandular, hairy and viscid throughout;<br />
leaves alternate, palmately compound, 3—5 foliate, leaflets sessile, ovate or obovate, entire,<br />
the terminal one the largest and the lateral ones often unequal at base; petioles 1.2—2.5 cm<br />
long becoming shorter above and the uppermost bracts often sessile; flowers nearly regular,<br />
lemon yellow, bisexual, axillary, hairy, growing into lax racemes, 1.8 cm diameter; sepals 4,<br />
distinct, ovate, acute; petals 4, twice as long as sepals, obtuse, long-clawed, two approximate<br />
and two divaricate; stamens 12—24, anthers linear, curled and blue-black in colour; ovary<br />
superior, 2-carpelIary, uni-locular with numerous ovules on two parietal placentas and without<br />
a gynophore; fruit capsules 5—10 cm long, erect, linear, cylindrical, very viscous, terminating in<br />
a,glabrous, blunt style; seeds black, finely ridged on the back.<br />
Flowers between January and March.<br />
Illustrations. Burmann, Thes. Zeyl. pi. 99. 1737; Wight, Ic. PI. Ind. Orient. 1: pi 2. 1838.<br />
Distribution. Occurs as a weed throughout the tropical and warmer regions of the world.<br />
In Ceylon, it is very common in cultivated ground in the low-country.<br />
India. East Bengal, C.B. Clarke 17159, June 1872. Assam: Jenkins. Pen. Ind. Or.,<br />
Herb. Wight 77. Ceylon. Thwaites CP. 1073. North Central Prov., Anuradhapura, Alston 1118,<br />
March 1927. Eastern Prov., Trincomalee, E. Brand, Sep. 1913. Central Prov., Dambulla, Mirisgoniyowa<br />
Rock, J. M. Silva, Nov. 1926; Peradeniya Bot. Gard., cultivated, Jayaweera 1176,<br />
May 1954. Western Prov., Colombo, Govt. Dairy Farm, Alston 1119, December 1926; Kalutara,<br />
A. de Alwis, Nov. 1920. Southern Prov., Ruhuna <strong>National</strong> Park, Pa tan a gal a Ocean Beach,<br />
Mueller—Dombots 67082508, Aug. 1967. Burma. Upper Burma, W. A. Cole. 1890. Maldlve<br />
Islands. Didi 149, 1896; Heddufuri, Gardiner, 1899—00; Horsburgh Atoll, Gardiner, 1899—00.<br />
Laccadive Islands. Kiltan, Nov. 1891.<br />
Composition. The seeds contain a fixed oil which consists of a mixture of myristic acid,<br />
palmitic acid and viscoside acid. They also contain viscosin.<br />
Uses. The seeds are anthelmintic, carminative, rubefacient and vesicant and useful for<br />
fevers, diarrhoea and infantile convulsions. In Cochin-China^ the whole plant is used as a<br />
counter-irritant and for blisters, while in the United States, the root is used as a vermifuge.<br />
A decoction of the plant is used for colic. The juice of the leaves, poured into the ear, relieves<br />
earache and deafness. Mixed with oil, it is a popular remedy for purulent discharges from the<br />
ear. The bruised leaves are applied to the skin as a counter-irritant and applied to boils to<br />
prevent the formation of pus. In Ceylon, the roots and seeds are considered to be<br />
cardiac stimulants. In the Philippines, the root, leaves and seeds are powdered and given with<br />
sugar for worm complaints.<br />
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