FLORA OF THE ISTHMUS OF PANAifA. 191 
AMARANTHACE^. 
844. Chamissoa altissima, Kunth, De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 250. In savaiiaSj near Panama. 
845. Chamissoa acuminata, Mart., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii, p. 251. In forests near the 
Hacienda de Juan Lauas, Province of Panama. 
846. Amaranthus spinosus, Linn., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 260. — Nomen vcmacul. " Bledo 
espinoso." Common in waste places all over the country. 
This plant, although an annual, very often becomes woody. Dr. Eohcrt ilacdowall, of David, in Vera- 
guas, in a note to Mr. A. J. de "Warszewicz, a copy of which was kindly communicated to me hy Daniel 
Hanhury, Esq., has the following remarts on the properties and uses of this phiut: — "It is employed in a 
gi'cat many cases of intestinal irritation, and always with good effect, It secma to act by cooling and 
allajdng the local and general irritation, which in the climate of the Isthmus always accompany diarrhcea or 
dysentery,— perhaps from the abundance of mucilage with wliieh is combined the active principle, whatever 
that may be. The natives give it in fever, combined with other herbs. It answers very well to take the 
fresh root, cut in pieces, and make an infusion in cold water ; in a short limo the water becomes charged 
with a mucihigiuous substance. With sugar it also makes an agreeable drink, as the root has no bad taste. 
United with laudanum, it has been found useful in the premonitory symptoms of Asiatic cholera, and in all 
the deraugements of the biliary system." 
847. Cyathula achyranthoides, Moq., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 326. — Nomen vernacul. 
" Cadilla." In half-shady places, common all over the country. 
848. Ikisine elatior. Rich., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 343. In forests near Panama. 
849. Irisine diffusa, Humb. et Bonpl., Do Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 345. In forests near 
Panama ; Chagres (Fendl. no. 260) . 
850. Irisine e^'iophylla, Moq., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 347. Island of Taboga, Bay of 
Panama. 
r 
851. Teleiantheua pohjgonoides, Moq., var. compacfa, Moq., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 364. 
In roads, on fields, and in waste places, near Panama. 
852. Teleianthera pubiflora, Moq., var. monocephala, Moq., De Cand. Prodr. vol. xiii. p. 376. 
On road-sides near Panama. 
Gomplirena glohosa, Linn., and CeJosia eristata, Linn., are cultivated in the gardens of Panama, but 
they are not wild, or even naturalized, in any part of the Isthmus. 
NYCTAGINE^. 
853. DiIiRABiLis Jalapa, Linn., De Cand. Prodi*, vol. xiii. p. 427.— Nomen vernacul. " Buenos 
tardes." Common in waste places, on road-sides, especially in the vicinity of Panama. 
The vernacular name of this plant, "Buenos tardes;' or " Good evening," is derived from the well- 
known peculiarity of the flowers to open towards sunset, which has also procured for it in the "^Vest 
Indies the appeUatiou " Four o'clock." 
