12 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF QUEENSLAND, 



Momordica bahamina, Linn. The Balsam Apple, common in 

 gardens, out of whicli it has strayed into some of our northern 

 scrubs ; has been said to be a dangerous poison, but in small 

 doses a hydragogue. 



In the large order Compositce^ of which the Australian genera 

 is about 100, few species have been examined for medicinal 

 qualities. Baron von Mueller, the learned botanist of Victoria, 

 prepared a snuff from one of the forms of Myriogyne minutay Less, 

 one of our most common weeds some years back. 



Eclipta alba, Hassk. The erect form so common near water 

 about the Brisbane Eiver, &c., is said to be used by the Brazilian 

 women to stain their hair black. 



The rank growing Burweed, Xanthium strumarium, a plant 

 allied to the Bathurst Burr and now rapidly spreading over the 

 country is supposed to be very injurious to Stock, numbers having 

 died from feeding on the young succulent plants. Dr. Bancroft 

 is at present making experiments with a view to seeing if the active 

 principles contained in the plant cannot be put to some useful 

 purpose. This plant differs greatly from the Bathurst Burr or 

 Xanthium spmosuin, L. Its leaves resemble more the mallow and 

 it is destitute of prickles, except on its fruit. 



Our indigenous Leadwort, Plumbago zeylamca, Linn., which is 

 identical with the garden plant F. capensisy is said to act as a 

 vesicatory, the fresh bruised bark of the root being used. 



The pretty Pimpernel, Aiiagallis arvensis, Linn., one of the few 

 plants in our pasture belonging to Primulacece, is said to possess 

 very powerful properties. Three drachms of the extract of this 

 plant have been found enough to kill a dog ; it was found to have 

 inflamed the mucous membrane of the stomach. It has been 

 prescribed in epilepsy and dropsy. Samolus Valerandi, Linn. A 

 plant of the same order, found often near shallow running water ; 

 is said to possess a bitter principle. 



