214 COLCHICACE.E. 



Geographical Relations. Most abundant in temperate 

 latitudes. 



Properties. Stimulating or acrid. 



Officinal Plants. 



Allium sativum. 

 Aloe spicata. 

 Scilla maritima. 



54. COLCHICACE^;. (MELANTHACE^E.) 



Perianth single, inferior, of 6 pieces, or tubular, invo- 

 lute in aestivation. Stamens 6, anthers extrorse. Ova- 

 rium 3- celled, and many seeded; style trifid ; stigmas 

 simple. Fruit capsular, 3-celled, sometimes with a lo- 

 culicidal dehiscence. Seeds with a membranous testa 

 and dense fleshy albumen. 



Herbaceous plants with fibrous roots, sometimes a 

 cormus, and the flowers arising from below the ground. 



Geographical Relations. Most abundant in northern 

 latitudes. 



Properties. Acrid, often highly virulent. The alka- 

 loid Veratrine is found in some. 



Officinal Plants. 



Colchicum autumnale. 



Veratrum album. 



Helonias officinalis, (Veratrum sabadilla.) 



