152 UMBELLIFERJ3. 



A biennial herb, with a fusiform root. Leaves 2- to 3-pinnate, or pin- 

 nately divided. Umbels concave, with an involucre of several trifid or 

 pinnatifid leaflets. Flowers white or cream- colored, the central one of 

 each umbellet abortive and dark purple ; they are produced throughout 

 the summer. 



Habitat. A native of the Eastern continent but naturalized throughout 

 the United States, and in many places has become a very troublesome 

 weed. The cultivated varieties produce large fleshy roots of great eco- 

 nomic value. 



Part Used. The fruit not official. 



Constituents. Carrot fruit contains a small percentage of aromatic vol- 

 atile oil, to which it owes its medicinal activity. 



Preparations. It is commonly administered in powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Carrot fruit is stimulant, diuretic, and 

 somewhat aromatic. Like many other remedies of similar properties, it 

 has been used to stimulate menstruation and for the relief of strangury. 

 The root of the cultivated plant boiled and reduced to a pulp forms an ad- 

 mirable poultice. 



HER ACLEUM. Co w-PARSNiP. 



Heracleum lanatum Michaux. Hasterwort, Cow-Parsnip. 



Description. Calyx-teeth minute or obsolete. Corolla : petals obcor- 

 date with an inflexed point, those of the outer flowers often larger and 

 radiant, appearing deeply 2-cleft. Fruit compressed on the back, with a 

 broad flat margin ; ribs, 3 dorsal and equi-distant, 2 lateral near the di- 

 lated margin ; oil-tubes shorter than the fruit, 1 in each interval and usu- 

 ally 2 in the commissure. 



A large perennial herb. Stem 4 to 8 feet high. Leaves large, ternately 

 divided, the segments 4 to 10 inches in diameter, unequally lobed, the 

 lobes acuminate, nearly glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Umbels 

 widely spreading, 6 to 10 inches or more in diameter ; involucre of 6 to 10 

 oblong-lanceolate, caducous leaflets. Flowers white, appearing in June. 



Habitat. In rich wet ground from Labrador to Pennsylvania and west- 

 ward. 



Part Used. The root not official. 



Constituents. Unknown. 



Preparations. Used in infusion. 



Medical Properties and Uses. When fresh, the leaves or root placed in 

 contact with the skin cause irritation and inflammation. The root is said 

 to be stimulant, antispasmodic, and carminative. Though recommended in 

 epilepsy and a variety of other nervous disorders, little is known of its effi- 

 cacy. That it is active, even poisonous, seems well established, but its 

 therapeutic uses are yet to be ascertained. 



