1 00 CISTACE^. 



direction opposite to that of the sepals. Stamens indefinite, distinct, 

 liypogynous ; filaments slender ; anthers innate. Ovary distinct, 1- to 

 many-celled, few- or many-ovuled, the ovules with a foramen at their apex ; 

 style single or none ; stigma sim)>le. Fruit a capsule, usually 8- or ^-valved, 

 occasionally 10-valved, either 1-celled or imperfectly 5- to lO-celled. 



Leaves simple, usually entire, the lower opposite, the upper alternate, 

 stipulate or exstipnlate. 



A small and unimportant order, comprising in North America three 

 genera, namely, Heliantheraum, Hudsonia, and Lechea, the first-named 

 only being represented by medicinal species. 



IIELIAXTIIEMUM.— Rock Rose. 



Character of the Genus. — Sepals and petals as in the character of the 

 order. Ovary 1-celled ; stylo short or none. Most North American species 

 bear two crops of flowers, of widely different aspect. The early flowers are 

 few in lunuber, solitary or in terminal corj'mbs, have large yellow petals, 

 and produce manj'-seeded c.ipsules, while tlio later ones are in axillary 

 clusters, the petals small and inconspicuous or absent altogether, and the 

 capsules few-seeded. 



Helianthemum Can ad en se Michaux. — Frostweed, Rock Rose. 



Description. — Calyx : sepals 5, the outer two small. Corolla : petals of 

 the early flowers 5, large and showy, opening but once, in sunshine, and 

 falling the next day. Expanded flower about 1 inch broad. 



Stem erect, hairy, pubescent, (5 to 18 inches high, at first simple, ulti- 

 mately branching. Leaves alternate, entire, lanceolate-oblong, pubescent, 

 about 1 inch long. Early flowers solitary ; secondary flowers in axillary 

 clusters. Period of flowering, June to August. 



Habitat. — In dry, sandy soil from Canada southward ; common. 



Helianthemum corymbosum Michaux. 



Description. — Like the preceding, excejjt that the flowers are in terminal 

 corymbs, the showy ones becoming stalked, Avliile the others are sessile, 

 and the whole plant being more pubescent. 



Ilabitat. — In pine barrens from New Jersey to Florida, along the coast. 



Fart Used. — The herb— not official. 



Constituent.^. — The only constituent of therapeutic activity thus far dis- 

 covered in tliese plants is tannin. 



Freparations. — There are various commercial preparations. 



Medical Froperties and Uses. — Frostweed is a mild astringent, and prob- 

 ably nothing more, though it is not without advocates among those who 

 appear to think every plant must, of necessity, possess therapeutic virtues. 

 Of course such persons value it highly in scrofula, etc. 



