172 NAT. ORDER. ACANTHACE^. 



part of winter, when several of the numerous purple spikes have a 

 succession of flowers ; two on each, and never more than that number 

 being open at the same time. 



Propagation and Culture. This genus contains plants of no great 

 beauty, and are hardly worth cultivating as an ornament ; their medi- 

 cinal qualities also are veiy limited, and of but little value ; they are 

 only cultivated as a rare plant in some of the largest and most exten- 

 sive botanical gardens. The annual species should be treated similar 

 to other plants of the like character, and of the hot-house kind. The 

 shrubby and perennial and herbaceous kinds, like other stove plants. 

 They are all quite easily increased by seeds. 



Medical Properties and Uses. This plant is said to possess con- 

 siderable astringent properties, and was used at one time for tanning, 

 and in medicine for bleeding at the lungs, dysenteria, and other com- 

 plaints of the bowels. A strong decoction was used for bathing in 

 piles, sores, ulcers, sore eyes, and internally for cankered throat, and 

 as a gargle for other purposes. 



