p. 583) and has been interpreted as a species of Stevia. Tlacochi- 

 chic means, in the NahuatI language, bitter stem. 



The uses of the plant are stated as follows: "... the juice of ar 

 ounce of the root drunk with water evacuates the phlegmatic 

 humors through the inferior conduit. It is hot and tastes acrid 

 and bitter. The people from the Panuco region (Veracruz, Mex- 

 ico) say that it cures scabies and abdominal pains, and reduces 

 the spleen". 



11. Tlalchichinole 



According to Martinez (1969) a plant known as Tlalchichinole 

 in the Guerrero State, Mexico, belongs to Stevia, and a decoc- 

 tion is used to wash infected pimples. See also note under Stevio 

 serrata. 



12. TONALXIHUITL 



Twelve plants under this name are listed in Hernandez's book 

 (1942) and one of these, which is referred to as first Tonalxihuit! 

 (Hernandez, 1942, p. 56) has been interpreted as Stevia salicifo- 

 Ha Cav. The description corresponds to the characteristics of 

 this species, but no illustration is provided, for purposes of com- 

 parison. The text states that the roots of the plant are "... 

 excellent in reducing fevers, when crushed and rubbed or drunk. 



in a dose of an ounce". 



Another plant called Tonalxihuitl yacapichtlense has been 

 interpreted as Veronica aniericana Schwein. ex Benth. (Hernan- 

 dez, 1942, p. 57). 



In the NahuatI version of the 16th century Florentine Codex 

 written under the direction of Bernardino Sahagiin, using direct 

 information from Aztec physicians, there are three mentions ol 

 Tonalxihuitl plants, which, in the English translation of this 

 codex (Sahagun, 1961, 1963), are interpreted, following Her- 

 nandez's book, as Stevia salicifolia or Veronica aniericana. 

 According to the illustration provided (Sahagun, 1963, fig. 574). 

 the plant has alternate leaves, which do not correspond to the 

 characteristic of S. salicifolia. Under the section of the book 

 which "... telleth of the ailments of the body and of the medi- 

 cine . . . ", Tonalxihuitl is stated to be used as follows: 



17 



