LX. 



STAPHYSAGRIA. 



(DELPHINIUM STAPHYSAGRIA.) 



Palmated Larkspur, or Stavesacre 



Syno^ 



3taphisagria, Rail Hist. ; Ger. Urn., p. 495. Delphinium Platani 

 folio Staphisagria dictum, Tourn. Imt, p. 428. Delphinium Staphisagria, Linn., 

 Sp. PL, etc. 



Foreign Names.— Fr. : Staphisaigre. Ital. : Stafisagria. Span. : Estafisagria, 

 Albarraz, Piogenta, Port. : Alvarraz. Germ. : Stephanskraut. Dut. : Luiskruid. 

 Swed. : Staffausort, Lus-ort. Dan. : Luus-urt. 



Nat. Order, Multisiliqtj^e, Linn. ; Ranunctjlace^ Jussieu, 



De Candolle. — Polyandria, Trigynia. 



Gen. Chab.— Calyx deciduous, petaloid, irregular. The sepals elongated 

 at the base into a spur. Petals four, the two upper appendiculated 

 within the spur (De Cartel.) 



Spec. Chab. — Spur very short. JBracteoles inserted at the base of the 

 pedicel. Petioles pilose. Pedicels twice as long as the flower (De 

 Cand.) 



History. — Staphysagria is one of the ancient remedies, and 

 was employed in medicine as early as the time of Hippocrates. 

 It is the 2rz(pis ccy^ia of Dioscorides. Its uses in ancient medi- 

 cine were cathartic and emetic. Pliny (Holland's Trans.) says : 

 u The said kernels I would not advise to be used as a purgation, 

 considering the doubtful event and danger that may ensue of 

 choking and strangulation; for surely they be ennemies to the 

 throat and weasen-pipe ; they kill the itch. The floure beaten 

 into powder, and taken in wine, is singular for the stino- of ser- 



The 



:alyx and the corolla. 2. The stamens. 3. The capsules. 4. An 

 anther. 5. The nectary. The figure of the plant and dissections are taken from 

 Nees V. Esenbeek. 



