212 labiatyE. 



A perennial herb. Stem 2 to 3 feet high, somewhat branching above. 

 Leaves 3 to 8 inches long and 3 to 4 inches broad, ovate, serrate, acumi- 

 nate, the lower on long petioles, the upper almost or quite sessile. Flowers 

 racemose, the racemes disj^osed in a large panicle ; they appear in summer 

 and early autumn. 



Habitat. — In rich, moist woods ; common. 



I^arts Used.— The root and liex'b— not official. 



Constituents. — When bruised this plant has a strong, somewhat dis- 

 agreeable odor, faintly suggestive of a lemon or lime. Like other labiates 

 its chief important constituent is a volatile oil. The constituents of the 

 root have not been ascertained. 



Preparations. — Employed in infusion and tincture. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Stone-root is said to be diuretic and 

 tonic, and, as its name implies, useful in calculous affections. It cer- 

 tainly possesses stimulant properties similar to those of many other labiate 

 plants, but whether anything beyond this is, as yet, a matter of conjecture. 

 The leaves doubtless owe all their efficacy to their volatile oil. 



MONAKD A.— Horse-Mint. 



Monarda punctata Linne. — Horse-Mint. 



Descrijjtion. — Calyx tubular, elongated, somewhat curved, nearly equally 

 5-toothed, haii-y in the throat. Corolla elongated, strongly 2-lipped, upper 

 lij) erect, linear, the lower spreading, 3-lobed, the lateral lobes ovate, ob- 

 tuse, the middle one narrower. Stamens 2, inserted in the throat of the 

 < oroUa, not longer than its upper lip. 



A perennial herb. Stem 2 to 3 feet high, branching, whitened by a fine 

 pubescence. Leaves lanceolate, tapering to a point, petiolate. Flowers 

 yellowish, the upper lip spotted with purple, in a few dense whorled 

 heads, surrounded with bracts ; they appear late in summer. 



Habitat. — In sandy soil from New York to Illinois and southward. 



Part Used. — The herb — not official. 



Constituents. — A j)ungent volatile oil. 



Preparations. — Oleum monardf?e — oil of monarda. Formerly official. 

 It is also employed in infusion. 



Medical P^ojierties and Zlfes. — Horse-mint is, like other labiates, stimu- 

 lating and aromatic. Like them also it is employed to relieve colic pains, 

 and in hot infusion to induce diaphoresis, and to stimulate the menstrual 

 function. 



NEPETA. —Catmint. 



Character of the Genus. — Calyx tubular, 15-nerved, obliquely 5-toothed, 

 the upper teeth usually longest. Corolla dilated in the throat, 2 lijDped ; 

 the upper lip erect, slightly concave, notched or 2-lobed, the lower spread- 



