197 



Properties. Unimportant, The Teasel used by fullers in dressing 

 cloth is the dried head of Dipsacus fullonum. Some of them are reputed 

 febrifugal. Scabiosa succisa is said to yield a green dye, and also to be 

 astringent enough to deserve the attention of tanners. Gmel. Fl. Bad. 

 1.319. 



Examples. Dipsacus, Scabiosa, Knautia. 



CLXXXV. VALERIANEiE. The Valerian Tribe. 



Valeriane^, Dec. Fl. Fr. ed. 3. v. 4. p. 232. (1815) ; Dufr. Valer. Monogr. 56. (1811) ; 

 Lindl. Synops. 137- (1829). 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with an inferior 1-celled ova- 

 i'ium, distinct stamens, and exalbuminous pendulous seeds. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character Calyx superior; the limb either membran«us, or resem- 



bling pappus. Corolla monopetalous, tubular, inserted into the top of the ovarium, with 

 from 3 to 6 lobes, either regular or irregular, sometimes calcarate at the base. Stamens 

 from 1 to 5, inserted into the tube of the corolla, and alternate with its lobes. Ovarium 

 inferior, with 1 cell, and sometimes 2 other abortive ones ; ovulum solitary, pendulous ; 

 style simple ; stigmas from 1 to 3. Fruit dry, indehiscent, with 1 fertile cell and 2 empty 

 ones. Seed solitary, pendulous ; embryo straight, destitute of albumen ; radicle superior.—. 

 Herbs. Leaves opposite, without stipulae. Flowers corymbose, panicled, or in heads. 



Affinities. Distinguished from Dipsacese by their flowers not being 

 in heads, by the want of albumen, by sensible properties, and the absence of 

 an involucellum. 



Geography. Natives of most temperate climates; sometimes at con- 

 siderable elevations. They are abundant in the north of India, Europe, and . 

 South America, but uncommon in Africa and North America. 



Properties. The roots of Valeriana officinalis, Phu, and celtica, are 

 tonic, bitter, aromatic, antispasmodic, and vermifugal ; they are even said to 

 be febrifugal. The scent of these roots is not agreeable to a European ; 

 and yet those of some species are highly esteemed as perfumes. Eastern 

 nations procure from the mountains of Austria the Valeriana celtica to aro- 

 matise their baths ; the V. Jatamansi, or true Spikenard of the ancients, 

 is valued in India, not only for its scent, but also as a remedy in hysteria 

 and epilepsy. The young "leaves of the species of Valerianella are eaten as 

 salad, under the French name of Mache, or the English one of Lamb's Let- 

 tuce. Red Valerian is also eaten in the same way in Sicily. Dec. 



Examples. Valeriana, Valerianella, Patrinia. 



CLXXXVI. COMPOSITE. 



Composite, Adans. Fam. 2. 103. (1763) ; Kunth in Humb. N. G. et Sp. vol. 4. (1820) ; 



Lindl. Synops. 140. (1829) Synanthere^, Rich. Anal. (1808); Cassini Diet. 



Sc. N. 10. 131. (1818); ibid. 60. 563. (1830) — Corymbifer^, Cykaroce- 

 phaljE, and CichoracejE, Juss. Gen. (1789). 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with a 1-celled inferior ova- 

 rium, capitate flowers, syngenesious stamens, and erect ovula. 

 Anomalies. 



