XVIII. 2. THE FEVER ROOT. 355 



long and slender, and form a permanent crown to the ripened 

 fruit ; the tubular corolla is a little longer than the calyx, and 

 somewhat unequal ; and the berry is leathery and has three 

 cells, and three or five, elliptic, bony seeds. 



The Fever Root. T. jterfoliativm. L. 

 Figured in Bigelow's Medical Botany, I, Plate 9. 



This is a hairy, coarse-looking plant, with upright, annual 

 stems, from one to four feet high, proceeding from a large, 

 hoirzontal, branched, perennial root. It is distinguished by its 

 large, opposite leaves, the pairs crossing each other, and its 

 brown, axillary, sessile blossoms, usually in clusters. 



It is found in shady places, in rich, moist ground. The 

 calyx is of five linear-lanceolate, sharp, brown segments, per- 

 sistent upon the ovary. Ovary round, sessile, green, covered 

 with brown, headed, glandular hairs, with a thread-like bract 

 on each side. Corolla of a dull, brownish purple, swelling at 

 base, contracted just above, expanding towards the border, 

 which is divided into five rounded, incurved, unequal segments. 

 Stamens five, attached to the lobe of the corolla, hairy, yel- 

 lowish white, with brown anthers. Style as long as the corolla; 

 hairy, bearing a headed or shield-like stigma. Leaves two to 

 six inches long and one to three broad, opposite, connate, in 

 pairs, crossing each other, broad ovate, lanceolate, acuminate, 

 entire, contracted towards the base, as if the petiole were 

 winged, rough, veined, often waving, somewhat hairy above, 

 velvety, pubescent beneath. Stem rough, hollow throughout. 

 It flowers in June, and its orange berries are ripe in September. 



The fever root has long had reputation for its medicinal vir- 

 tues. The root, in the form of powder, or as an extract, has 

 pretty regular effect as an emetic and cathartic. But, to be sure 

 of its virtues, the practitioner must have it renewed every year, 

 as it is thought to lose its efficacy from age. The stem and 

 leaves seem to have much less active properties. The whole 

 plant is bitter, and, in small doses, has a tonic effect. 



