182 MEDICAL PLANTS. 



Gen. Char. Corolla irregular, tubular, cleft nearly to base 

 ou the upper side ; anthers joined above into a curved tube ; 

 stigma two-lobed ; capsule opening at top ; seeds small. Spec. 

 Char. Stem hairy, erect, somewhat branching ; leaves ovate- 

 lanceolate, sessile, serrate, pilose ; capsule inflated- This well- 

 known plant, from its use as a specific in Thomson's practice, 

 sends out its pretty pale flowers from August to September. It 

 grows a foot or two high. The generic name was given in honor 

 of Lobele, some 240 years since. It is a powerful emetic, resem 

 bling tobacco in its effects, but acts in a shorter time. In reg- 

 ular practice it is given in asthma, with some success. 



ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA BUTTERFLY WEED. 



Natural order, Asclepiadaceae Linnaean class, Gynandria 

 Order, Pentandria. 



Gen. Char. Calyx small ; petals joined at base ; reflexed ; 

 five-lobed. with five averted horns at the base of the lobes ; 

 connate mass of anthers, five-angled, truncate, opening by fine 

 fissures lengthwise ; five distinct pairs of masses of pollen ; fol- 

 licles two, ventricose; seeds comose. Spec. Char. Stem 

 hairy, branching at top; leaves alternate, sessile, oblong-lance- 

 olate ; umbels many, forming large terminal corymbs. It is 

 about two feet or more high, and sends out magnificent orange- 

 v colored flowers in August. The pods are filled with flat ovate 

 eeeds, packed in with long silky down. The generic name is 

 given in honor of Esculapius, the god of medicine. The root 

 is bitter when dry, and easily powdered. Its dose is fifteen 

 grains. The decoction in water is taken by the wine glass, 



