294 
 DECANDRIA DEGAGYNIA. 
has been recommended in rheumatism, «It is said that 
there is a method of fixing the fine purple color of the 
fruit upon wool, but that a more durable red is obtained 
from the root. This species has become naturalized in 
the south of Europe. 
The few species of this genus, about 6, are all indige- 
nous to North or South America, except 2: abyssinica, 
and P. icosandra of India. 
