AN ENUMERATION 



OF 



SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL PLANT8. 



KNOWLTONIA. Salisb. 



{Ranunculaceod, ) 

 XIII. — 6. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



1. Knowltonia vesicatoria. Sims» Herbaceous. Leaves 

 triternate, leathery, smooth ; segments oval or sub- 

 cordate, sawed ; lateral ones obliquely truncate at 

 base. Flowers umbellate ; umbel nearly unbranched, 

 few-flowered ; flowers yellowish ; petals linear. 



Every part of this acrid plant is used as an Epispastic. 

 The bruised herb, when applied to a painful part, raises a 

 blister. It is therefore recommended in rheumatism, 

 ischias, lumbago, and similar affections caused by sudden 

 atmospheric changes. The root, when cut in slices, is a 

 good substitute for Emplastrum Janini- The plant is found 

 in almost every part of the Colony, and from its effects is 

 well known by the name of Brandhlarsti. 



RANUNCULUS. Lin. 



(Ranunculaceos.) 

 XIII. — 6. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



2. Ranunculus puhescens. Thbg. Root fibrous. Stem 

 herbaceous, erect, downy ; all the leaves hairy ; the 

 radical ones petiolate, ternate, their leaflets inciso- 

 dentate. Leaves of the stem either trifid or subpin- 

 natifid, toothed ; the uppermost sessile. Flowers 

 stalked, single, terminal, yellow. Calyx reflexed ; 

 carpels smooth, slightly mucronate, tuberculated. 



This herb grows in ditches and marshes, etc., and is 

 peculiar to the Cape and Uitenhage districts. The ex- 

 pressed juice, when fresh, is recommended in carcinoma- 

 tous ulcers, and therefore has received the Dutch name of 

 Kanherhldren. 



