102 DIADELPHIA, DECANDRIA. 
summit into numerous slender spreading branches, eack 
terminated by a raceme of white flowers. Leaves small, 
pia deciduous in drying, smooth, and thickly 
sprinkled with resinous diaphanous glands. Calix consi- 
derably like that of Petalostemon corymbosum, the segments 
linear and acuminate, nearly twice the length of the other 
bractes. Stamina 9. Carina twice the length of the petals. 
Seed solitary, legume shorter than the calix; seeds yel- 
low, reniform.—On being bruised the leaves and bractes 
give out a very penetrating and disagreeable balsamic 
odor much like that of the Diosmas and of Rue (J?uta 
graveolens.) =e 
_ A-north American genus, of which there are 10 other 
species chiefly indigenous to Mexico. 
502. PSORALEA. L, 
— Calizx 5-cleft or 5-toothed, the lower segment 
mostly elongated. Stamina diadelphous. Le- 
sume the length of the calix, 1-seeded, subros- 
trate and valveless, 
Shrubby or herbaceous; leaves glandularly punctate, 
ternate, rarely digitate, simple or pinnate; stipules cauline; 
. On the elevated plains of the Missouri; also on the 
high and bare hills of the lead-mines near the river Meri- 
mek, a few miles from St. Louis. The root is similar in 
form to that of P. canescens. Taste rather insipid, but not 
slisagreeable either raw or boiled, the latter is its common 
mode of preparation among the savages; its texture 1s 
~ laminated, always tenaceous; slid: sad apeer farinaceous;, 
it is also somewhat medicinal and operates as a diuretic. 
arly allied to P. cuspidate fac very aha distinct in the roet. 
* 
_ _jous and canescent; leaves digitate, quinate, uppert 
 “ternate, leaflets elliptic-lan hie; ‘splay waobered. 
“interrupted? bractes acuminate, 3-flowered; root 
lately fusiform. Haz. On the open plains of the Missourt — 
merino 
ja 
ar. 
an anaceensiliaicatian 
