The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Putchock

PUTCHOCK, pu-chok', or PUCHUCK, the root of Aplotaxis lappa, the “costus” of the ancients, a composite plant growing on the Himalayas in the vicinity of Cashmere. It has long lyrate leaves and heads of purple florets. It is exported to the Malay countries and to China, where it forms a main ingredient in the Chinese pastille-rods known as joss-sticks. In Upper India it is given as a medicine in various complaints ranging from coughs to cholera.