MISSOURL BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 137 
grown some of the best single varieties should be purchased, 
the catalogues usually indicating those suitable for forcing. 
MEDICINAL PLANTS OF OUR LOCAL FLORA. 
(Continued from September Bulletin) 
Helianthus annuus, sunflower. 
The seeds are diuretic and expectorant, 
Hepatica triloba, liver-leaf. 
The plant was formerly made into a tea, in which form it was 
esteemed in diseases of the chest and lungs. 
Heuchera americana, alum-root. 
The root was used domestically, in decoction, as an astringent in 
sore throat. 
Humulus Lupulus, hops. 
“Hops” are the pistillate flowers of Humulus Lupulus picked 
when fully ripe, and are thin, veined, leaf-like bracts or scales of a 
greenish yellow color. Their odor is strong and peculiar, some- 
what aromatic and fragrant. Their taste is bitter and astringent. 
Hops are sometimes employed as a tonic and also are used to alle- 
viate pain and induce sleep. <A poultice of hops has occasionally 
been found useful in allaying restlessness and inducing sleep. An 
ointment made from them has been recommended as an application 
for cancerous sores. The properties of hops are contained in a resin- 
ous secretion from the fruit called lupulin. 
Hydrastis canadensis, golden-seal. 
The root of this plant was used by the Indians both as a dye 
and a medicine. It is a powerful tonic bitter. It has been much 
employed as a wash in chronic ophthalmia and other diseases of 
the eye, and also enters into the composition of some “cancer 
powders.” 
Hypericum perforatum, St. John’s-wort. 
According to early writers on medicinal plants St. John’s-wort 
has many virtues as a medicine, and it is still much used domes- 
tically in Europe. In this country it has been made into an oil or 
ointment which was said to be an excellent application for ulcers 
and as an aid in the reduction of tumors. 
Iris versicolor, blue flag. 
The rhizome of the blue flag was a favorite remedy of the Indians 
of the southern states who used it in cases requiring purgation. 
As a purgative it is apt to produce great nausea and loss of 
strength, but it is said to be beneficial in dropsy. 
