216 DIGITARIA. 



DECODON VERTIClLLATUai, Gm, (Lythrum.'L.) 

 Grasspoly. Baneful to farmers^ causing abortion in 

 mares and cows browsing it in winter. Equivalent of 



Xythrum. 



DELPHIDIUM, Raf. {Delphinium, Jj. same as JDeU 

 phinus I) Larkspur- Manj genera blended here, Sta- 

 phisagria, Consolida, Ajaxia^ Pleclrornis^ Raf. A. sta- 

 phisagria or Stavesacre in Virginia, Schoepf. Seeds bit- 

 ter, nauseous and burning, o\ving to acrid oil and del- 

 phine ; powerful drastic and hydragogue, dangerous, ex- 

 cept in minute doses ; powders used cxternaliy for cuta- 

 neous eruptions, itch, lice, tooth ache. I)." consoUda 

 spontaneous in fields, milder equivalent, Fiow^ers bitter, 

 ophthalmic, used for gravel and chronic sore eyes in rose 

 water. ^ Seeds of D. exaltatum and D. eonsolida^ found 

 useful in spasmodic asthma, the tincture is used by 

 drops, and gradually increased. 



DENDROPOGON USNEOIDES, Raf, {TiUandsia, 

 L-) Only 3 stamens, Elliott. Spanish Moss. From Ca- 

 rolina to South America, on trees. Very useful winter 

 food of cattle. When rotted in water, only a black 

 elastic Ebre like horse hair remains, used to stuff' mat- 

 tresses, saddles, chairs, to make ropes and cables. 

 Pauska of the Western tribes- Also medical, best grow- 

 ing on Liquidambar^ used in sudorific baths, the infu- 

 sion is pectoral in catarrh^ asthma, &c. 



DIANTHUS, L. Clove Fink, Carnation. Fragrant 

 flowers, cordial, sudorific, alexitere, used in pofions, 

 conserves, and to give a pleasant flavor and color to me- 

 dical syrups, vinegars, &c. 



DICLYTHRA, M. (Fumaria cucidlaria, L.) Colic 

 weed, Dutchman breeches. Several species. Root tube- 

 rose, used for tumours, when eaten gives the cholic, the 

 decoction purifies the blood. Equivalent o{ Fmnaria. 



DIERVILLA CANADENSIS, Tt (Zonicera diervilla, 

 L.) Nauseous, pellent, antisyphilitic ^ has been used 

 for disury, gonorrhea and syphilis, but is not efficient 



DIGITARIA, Mx.(Crop grass. Crab grass.) Several 

 species, D. sanguinaliSy D.villosa, D. JUiformis, D.di- 

 vergtns^ valuable grasses in the South, best fodder for 

 cattle from April to June. Mild equivaleirt of Cynodon 



:k 



