N. ORD. ARACEA. 168 
GENUS.—ARISAMA, MART. 
SEX. SYST.—MONCECIA POLYANDRIA. 
ARUM DRACONTIUM. 
GREEN DRAGON. 
SYN.—ARISAZ2MA DRACONTIUM, SCHOTT; ARUM DRACONTIUM, LINN. 
COM. NAMES.—GREEN DRAGON, DRAGON ROOT; (FR.) GOUET A DRAGON; 
(GER.) DRACHEN ARON. 
A TINCTURE OF THE CORM OF ARISAMA DRACONTIUM, SCHOTT. 
Description.— This peculiar herb usually attains a growth of from 1 to 2 feet. 
Corms clustered, wrinkled, but not so markedly reticulate as in the preceding 
species; stems (if so they may be called) numerous from the same fascicle of 
corms. Leaf usually solitary, pedately compounded of from 7 to 13 oblong- 
lanceolate, pointed, and entire leaflets, Inflorescence in a mostly androgynous 
but sometimes polygamous spadix that tapers to a long, exserted, and more or 
less contra-curved point; sfathe green, scaphoid, open along the inferior surface, 
and more or less convolute, especially about the apex of the floral portion of the 
spadix. fertile flowers numerous, inferior, each composed of a single turbinate 
or quadrangularly compressed pistil; s¢y/e peltate over the summit of the ovary; 
stigma a nipple-like projection at the summit of the style; ovules 6 to 8, erect. 
Sterile flowers superior, each composed of a single 4-celled stamen; filament 
short and thick. /7wzt a globular head of orange-red berries; rachis flat; seeds 
1 to 3 in each berry. Read description of Aracez, under the preceding plant. 
History and Habitat.—The Green Dragon is indigenous to the United States 
from Florida northward. It grows along the banks of rivers, where it flowers in 
May and ripens its brilliant fruit in September. 
This plant was introduced into English gardens in 1749. It has gained no 
medical history whatever, its littke employment having been in connection with 
A. triphyllum without distinction, 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The fresh corms, gathered before 
flowering or after the fruit has fallen, are treated as in the preceding species. 
The resulting tincture has a slight straw tint by transmitted light, no distinguish- 
ing odor, a cold, biting taste, and an acid reaction. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms caused in the prover, Dr. C. P. 
_ Hart,* by doses of from fifteen grains to one drachm of a mixture of one oz. of the 
* Am. Hom. Obs., 1875, p- §37- 
