CLASS II. ORDER I.J LYTHR0M. 675 



shaped filaments, inserted into the ovarium, shorter than the perianth. 

 Anthers of two cells, fixed about the middle of the tilaments. Style 

 furrowed, with a six cleft radiant stigma. Capsule of six cells, 

 coriaceous, each cell containing several pale obovate seeds.. 



Habitat. Woods and shady places in the North of England. 



Perennial ; flowering in May, 



Asarabacca has for some time had the reputation of a useful emetic, 

 possessing also cathartic and diuretic properties ; but as a medicine for 

 these purposes it is not now used, but the powdered leaves in the dose 

 of three or four grains snuffed up the nose as an errhine, is said to be 

 useful in the relief of tooth-ache, and some local affections of the eyes, 

 &c., but its use is seldom resorted to. 



GENUS II. LYTH'RUM. LINN. Purple Loosestrife. 

 Nat. Ord. LYTHRA'RIJS. Jess. 



GEN. CHAK. Calyx inferior, tubular, with from eight to twelve teeth, 



alternately smaller, and erect. Petals from four to six, inserted 



into the tube of the calyx. Stamens equal, or double the number 



of the petals, inserted into the middle or base of the calyx tube. 



Capsule oblong, of two cells, many seeded. Name from 



black blood, or gore; in allusion to the colour of the flowers. 



1. L, Salicaria, Linn. (Fig. 772.) Spiked Purple Loosetrife. 



Leaves lanceolate, cordate at the base, opposite; flowers in leafy 



whorled spikes. 



English Botany, t. 1061. English Flora, vol. ii. p. 343. Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 219. Lindley, Synopsis, p. 72. 



$. canescens, Koch. Leaves crisped on the margins, and sub- 

 tomentose. 



Root woody, with branched fibres. Stem from two to four feet high, 

 erect, acutely four angled, sometimes irregularly, six, simple or 

 branched, smooth or rough, with close pubescence. Leaves numerous, 

 opposite, sometimes alternate, or three or four in a whorl, sessile, or 

 nearly so, lanceolate, wiih a cordate base, and from one to three inches 

 long, the margins entire, or more or less waved and curled, darkish 

 green above, paler beneath, and more or less clothed with roughish 

 hairiness. Inflorescence a terminal spike, of numerous whorled flowers, 

 arising from the base of roundish ovate acute bracleas. Flowers 

 numerous, crowded, of a purplish crimson colour. Calyx tubular, of 

 twelve ribs, terminating in twelve teeth, the six outer awl-shaped, 

 three times as long as the six inner lanceolate ones, rough, with short 

 hairs. Petals oblong, with a tapering base, inserted into the throat of 

 the calyx, the margins waved. Stamens twelve, with slender awl- 

 shaped filaments, inserted into the base of the calyx, six shorter and 

 six about as long as the corolla. Anthers ovate, of two cells. Styles 



