390 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



as its well-known emetic-cathartic properties, even when toned by drying and keeping, are 

 powerful, and in a fresh state would be decidedly violent. 

 Dr. Johnson says : 



Iris, in full doses, is an active emeto-cathartic, operating with violence, and producing 

 considerable prostration. Its effects upon the liver appear to be analogous to those of 

 podophyllum. In sick headache dependent upon indigestion, small doses, frequently re- 

 peated, often act most happily. It has been largely used by eclectic practitioners, and is 

 highly esteemed by them as a hydragogue cathartic, an alterative, sialagogue, vermifuge, 

 and diuretic. 



One case of poisoning has been recorded in this state. Other species of 

 Iris of which we have quite a number in the U. S. must be looked upon with 

 suspicion. Mention may be made here of the Iris missouriensis and /. caro- 

 lina. The root stocks of our cultivated species like /. pumali and /. sibirica 

 must be looked upon with suspicion. The South African Homeric collina natur- 

 alized in Australia, according to Maiden, is poisonous to cattle browsing on 

 the plant. 



SCITAMINEAE 



Large herbs with endogenous stems and monocotyledonous seeds ; flow- jj 

 ers very irregular; ovary inferior, composed of several united carpels; seeds 



Fig. 170. Ginger (Zingiber officinale). 

 n. Entire plant. b; flower. (Charlotte 

 M. King, after Strasburger, Schenck, Noll 

 and Schimper.) 



