TRILLIUM. 



t. 470. T. fcetidum Par. Lond. t. 35. Shady rocks in the 

 United States. 



Rhizoma large, praemorse, with thick horizontal fibres. Stem a foot 

 or more in height, sheathed at the base. Leaves large, abruptly acumi- 

 nate, closely sessile. Peduncle about half as long as the leaves, inclined 

 to one side. Flower large, a little nodding. Leaflets of the calyx 

 oblong-lanceolate, acuminate. Petals dark purple, nearly as broad again 

 as the calyx. Filaments distinct; anthers linear; stigmas sessile, 

 spreading. Berry large, nearly black. Torrey. Rhizoma violently 

 emetic, and the fruit suspicious. 



1245. Other species are reported to have the same pro- 

 perties. 



COLCHICUM. 



Perianth coloured, funnel-shaped, with a very long sub- 

 terranean, slender tube, and a somewhat campanulate 6-parted 

 limb. Stamens 6, inserted into the throat of the tube. Ovary 

 3-celled ; ovules numerous, in 2 or 4- rows ; styles 3, filiform, 

 long ; stigmas somewhat clavate. Capsule 3-celled, 3-partible, 

 opening inwardly. Seeds numerous, roundish, with a shrivelled 

 skin. 



1246. C. autumnale Linn. sp. pi. 485. Eng. Bot. t. 133. 

 Woodv. t. 177. Smith Eng. Fl. ii. 202. Moist rich pastures 

 in many parts of England, and in various countries of Europe. 



Cormus ovate, large. Leaves dark green, very smooth, obtuse, above 

 a foot long, \\ inch broad, somewhat keeled, produced in spring, along 

 with the capsules. Flowers several, radical, leafless, bright purple, with 

 a long white tube appearing in the autumn without the leaves. Capsules 

 3, distinct, though forming together one oblong, elliptic fruit, with 

 intermediate fissures. Seeds whitish, polished. The flowers in one 

 variety accompany the leaves in spring, and have long, narrow, 

 greenish-white segments, violet-coloured at the base. Smith. The 

 dried cormi and seeds are used extensively in the manufacture of 

 Veratria, and in various pharmaceutical preparations. Colchicum is 

 found to increase the secretions of the intestinal mucous membrane, 

 and of the kidneys, and in some cases to act as a sudorific ; it is also 

 emetic and purgative, and in large doses is a powerful narcotico-acrid 

 poison. It is used extensively in dropsy, gout, rheumatism, and also as 

 an anthelmintic. The energy of the cormus and consequently of the 

 preparations from it is often much impaired by the collection of the 

 plant at a wrong time of year, or by keeping it after it has been collected 

 until the flowers sprout forth, which they will do quickly if taken into 

 a warm place. When the leaves are quite withered is the best time for 

 taking up the cormi, of which use should be made without loss of time. 

 Many of those sent to the drug shops for sale have already pushed forth 

 their flowers, which are broken off so as to prevent the circumstance 

 from being observed. I have seen many cwts. sent to town in this 

 state, which nevertheless found a ready sale and at the best price. 



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