Vanaspati: Plants and Plant-Life as in Indian Treatises and Traditions c5.s3.31

c5.s3.31

A compound pedicel is called *vallarī*, *mañjarī*; Helicoid cyme is called *śrihastinī* (resembling the trunk of an elephant). The inflorescence of umbelliferous plants is called *chhatrā*. छत्राकार स्तवकः is umbel. Flower stalks (pedicels) are called *prasava-bandhana*, *i.e.*, that which binds flowers and fruits with the mother plant. Shape of the flowers in some cases is also noticed, *e.g.*, papilionaceous flowers are called *vakra pushpa* (Sesbania). Petals are called *pushpadala*, and sometimes number of petals are counted such as *śatadala*, *sahasradala*. Stamens are known as *keśara*; *kiñjalka* is the hairy part (सूत्रवत् अंश) within flowers; pollen grains are called *keśara-reṇu* (stamen dusts), they are also called *parāga* (पराग), as they go fast (परा) being very light and carried by air. They are also called सुमनोरजस्—dust in flowers. Ear or spike of a corn is called *kiṇasham*, *śasyamañjarī*.