FLORA MEDICA. 



RANUNCULACE^E. 



Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 5. 



CLEMATIS. 



INVOLUCRE 0, or resembling a calyx below the flower. Sepals 

 4-8 coloured, valvate. Petals or shorter than the sepals. 

 Achenia numerous, terminated by a long feathery hardened, 

 tail-like style. Seed pendulous. Perennials usually with per- 

 manent half-shrubby stems. Leaves exactly opposite. 



The species of this genus are generally acrid, and raise blisters when 

 applied in a fresh state to the skin ; but they lose the property by dry- 

 ing or exposure to heat. The following have been more particularly 

 noticed : 



1. C. erecta Aliped. No. 1078. DC. prodr. i. 2. C. recta 

 Linn. sp. pi. 767. Jacq. austr. t. 291. Hills and woods in 

 the south of Europe. 



Stem herbaceous, erect, about 2 feet high, somewhat angular, stri- 

 ated, nearly smooth. Leaves opposite, pinnated with 2 pairs and an 

 odd one, smooth above, hairy beneath ; leaflets ovate, acuminate, 

 stalked, entire. The leaves are occasionally simple, cordate and angu- 

 lar, and not unfrequently ternate. Umbels irregular, terminal, panicled, 

 quite erect. Pedicels downy. Sepals linear-obovate, white, spreading, 

 downy, much longer than the stamens. Ripe carpels seldom more 

 than 2 to each pedicel, ovate, brown, smooth, with a feathery tail. 

 Much recommended by Storck in obstinate cachectic diseases; the 

 powdered leaves have been also used as an escharotic. 



2. C. Flammula Linn. sp. pi. 766. DC. prodr. i. 2. 

 Hedges and thickets in the south of Europe and North of 

 Africa. 



Stem climbing and forming large entangled masses of angular, 

 slightly downy half-herbaceous branches. Leaves pinnated ; segments 

 smooth, entire or 3-lobed, orbicular, oval, oblong, or nearly linear, 

 somewhat acute. Flowers small, white, in large loose panicles, ex- 

 tremely fragrant. Petals ^- inch long, linear, obtuse, downy, 

 much longer than the stamens. Carpels extremely shaggy. Leaves 

 used as vesicatories. 



1 B 



