Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

Fabaceae / Papilionaceae
Indigofera oblongifolia Forsk.
English name: Nilam.
Local name: Sindhi-Jhil, Urdu-Kainthi.
Description:
A medium-sized erect woody shrub, pubescent much branched, 70-150 cm tall.
Leaves compound, leaflet alternate, narrow linear. Inflorescence a raceme up to 10
cm long, bearing red flowers. Pods curved, many seeded (usually 6 to 8).
Flowering Period:
Generally during spring and summer months.
Habitat:
Common in sandy plains, quite salt tolerant.
Uses:
The plant is antisyphilitic, the root is cooling, improves
appetite, removes rheumatism, all parts of the plant are
useful in the enlargement of liver and spleen, the stems
are used as a gargle in mercurial salivations and for
washing teeth.
Distribution:
In Pakistan it is distributed in Sindh, Punjab and
Balochistan.
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