152 UMBELLIFEILE. 



A biennial lierb, witli a fusiform root. Loavos 2- to ,1-pinnato, or pin- 

 luitely dividcil. Uiii])els concave, with an involucre of severul trilitl or 

 pinnatitid leaflets. Flowers white or cream-colored, the central one of 

 each umbellet abortive and dark purpls ; they are produced throughout 

 the summer. 



Ifuhitat. — A native of the Eastern continent but naturalized throughout 

 the United States, an<l in many places lias become a vei-y troublesome 

 weed. The cultivated varieties produce large fleshy roots of great eco- 

 uomic value. 



I'(>.rl Used. — The fruit — not officdal. 



ConHiUaenta. — Carrot fruit contains a small percentage of aromatic vol- 

 atile oil, to which it owes its medicinal activity. 



J'rcixiralions, — It is commonly administered in powder. 



Medical rroperUes and Cf^ct-: — Carrot fruit is stimidant, diuretic, and 

 somewhat aromatic. Like many other remedies of similar proi)erties, it 

 has been used to stimulate menstruation and for the relief of strangury. 

 The root of the cultivated plant boiled and reduced to a pulp forms an ad- 

 mirable poultice. 



IIERACLEUM.— Cow-PAKSNir. 



Heracleum lanatum Michnnx. — Jl[at<tcru'orf, Coic-Parsnip. 



J)r>'cripli()}i. — Calyx-teeth minute or obsoh.-te. Corolla : petals obcor- 

 date with an inflexed point, those of the outer flowers often larger and 

 radiant, appearing deeply 2-cleft. Fruit compressed on the back, with a 

 broad flat margin ; ribs, :{ dorsal and (([ui-distant, 2 lateral near (he di- 

 lated margin ; oil-tubes shorter than the fruit, 1 in each iijier\al a' lisu- 

 ally 2 in the commissure. 



A large pei'ennial herb. Stem 4 to 8 f(>et high. Leaves hii>.(., ti'^'nately 

 divided, the segments 4 to 10 inches in diameter, unequally Irued, the 

 loues acuminate, nearly glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Umbels 

 widely spreading, (5 to 10 inches or more in diameter ; involucre of to 10 

 oblong-lanceolate, caducous leaflets. Flov^ers white, appearing in June. 



IlubilaL — In rich wet ground from Labrador to Pennsylvania and west- 

 ward. 



Vmi Used. — The root — not official. 



(Joriditucnls. — Unknown. 



Preparalions. — Used in infusion. 



Mcduvl Properlies and Vsru. — "When fresh, the leaves or root placed in 

 contact with the skin cause irritation and inflammation.. The root is said 

 to be stinnilant, antispasmodic, and carminative. Though recommended in 

 epilepsy and a variety of other nervous disorders, little is known of its efti- 

 cacy. That it is active, even poisonous, seems well established, but its 

 therapeutic uses are yet to be ascertained. - ^ 



