36 



GUNNERA. Lin. 



( UrticacecB. ) 

 II. — 2. DIANDRIA DIGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



81. Gunner a jDerj^ensa. Lin. Herbaceous. Radical 

 leaves large, stalked, kiclney-shaped, unequal, veined, 

 obsoletely lobed, cordate at base, serro-dentate. 

 Petioles elongated, compressed, streaked, hairy, as 

 the leaves are. Scape tall, bearing a compound 

 panicle of very small crowded flowers. Fruit a 

 glabrous juicy berry. 



This plant ( Wilde Ramanas) grows in moist and watery 

 parts of the colony. A decoction of the root is used by 

 the farmers in the interior as a tonic in dyspepsia, and 

 a tinctm-e from it as an efficient remedy in gravel. The 

 leaves infused as tea are said to act as a demulcent in 

 pulmonary affections, and to cure ulcerations and wounds 

 when applied fresh. 



PIPER. Lin. 



(^PiperacecB.) 

 II. — 1. DIANDKIA MONOGYNIA. LIN. SYST. 



82. Piper capense. Lin. Herbaceous, smooth. Stem 

 erect, articulated, branchy, climbing. Branches geni- 

 culate, forked, one-sided, .spreading. Leaves alter- 

 nate, stalked, cordate, acute, entire, 3-nerved above, 



7 -nerved beneath, netted. Nerves downy. Flowers ' 

 in spikes, opposed. Spikes peduncled, cylindrical. 

 Fruit a berry. 



The dense forests of Swellendam and George produce a 

 kind of pepper {Boscltpeper), which partakes of the pro- 

 perties peculiar to the genus. The berries have a hot 

 pungent taste, and an aromatic smell, and, infused in 

 spirits, yield a tincture which is prescribed as a stomachic, 

 stimulant, and carminative in indigestion, flatulency and 

 colic. In appearance and taste they greatly resemble the 

 Cubehsj and very likely possess similar virtues. 



WIDDRINGTONIA. Endl. 



( Conifer w.) 



XXI. — 10. MONOECIA MONADELPHIA. LIN. SYST. 



83. Widdringtonia juniperoides. Endl. Branches 

 purplish, squarrose, twiggy. Leaves opposite, minute. 



