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MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



CaryophyllacesB, — Campion and Stitcliwort Family 

 Dist Ingu ishing characteristics : 



1. Free petals. 



2. Opposite leaves. 



3. Stem swollen at the joints 



# 



A robust plant, 



about 2-4 feet high, with broad, pointed leaves. The 



pink flowers are arranged in 

 a bunch at Che top in such a 

 way that they all stand at 

 the same level (corymb). It 

 became naturalized in Britain 

 in the Middle Ages, being then 



The root has 



used as a drug. 

 a sharp burning taste, induces 



and is 



poisonous 



sneeznig, 



When mixed with water 



it 



readily forms a lather, this 

 being due to the presence in 

 it, to the extent of about 34 

 per cent, of a substance called 

 saponin, which readily forms 

 a froth when m i x ed w i th 

 water. 

 Corn Cockle {Agro^temma 



Githago) (fig. 41). — This poi- 

 sonous plant is distinguished 

 from the other members of 

 the order by its large hand- 

 some purple - red flowers, 

 w^hich appear in June or July. Accidents from eating 

 the seeds of Corn Cockle are confined to cattle, the seeds 

 being sometimea found in large quantities in the fodder 

 of these animals. It has been stated that 2^ parts of 



Fig. 41. 



Com Cockle {AgroHemma 

 Githatjo) 



