SCUTELLARIA — SKULLCAP. 



213 



ing, 3-lobecl. Stamens i, in pairs under the nppcr lip, the upper j^air 

 longer. 



Nepeta Cataria Linm'. — Catnip, Catmint. 



Di'srrijjlioit. — A perennial herb 1 to 2 feet liigli. Leaves ovate-cordate, 

 acuminate, coarsely serrate, petiolate. whitish downy underneath. Flow- 

 ers whitish, dotted with pur- 

 ple, in compact cymes, form- 

 ing short, oblong spikes at 

 the ends of the branches; 

 they appear in sununer and 

 autumn. 



Hahitat. — In waste places 

 about dwellings ; naturalized 

 from Europe. 



Nepeta Glee ho ma 

 Bentham. — Groniul Icy, iUll- 

 over-the-ground. 



I)ei>cripiion. — A more or 

 less hairy perennial herb, 

 creeping and rooting at the 

 base. Leaves orbicular or 

 reniform, crenate, petiolate, 

 green both sides. Flowers 

 blue, in axillary whorls of 

 about G, appearing early in 

 sining and summer. 



llaliilal. — In Avaste places 

 about dwellings ; naturalized from Europe. 



Part Ui^ed. — The herb of both species — not official. 



Constitiientf'. — Tlieir only important constituents are their volatile oils. 



Medical Proiicrlioft and ll^es. — Catnip is chiefly iisod for its .stimulant 

 effect in the flatulent colic of infants, and, in hot infusion, to pn)moto 

 menstruation. Ground ivy fornuu'ly had some reputation in catarrhal 

 affections and in pulmonary consumption, but Avithout substantial founda- 

 tion, for there is no evidence to support the idea that it possesses prop- 

 erties e.-isentially dill'erent from those of the labiatuo generally. 



145.— Nopeta Glechomo. 



SCUTELL A11L\. —Skullcap. 



Scutellaria lateriflora Linne.— .S'/-«//c(7p. 



Description. — Calyx bell-shaped, 2-lipped, the lips entire, the upper 

 one with a helmet-like appendage on the back, and closed after flowering. 

 Corolla 2-lipped, the upper lip vaulted, the lower dilated, sjireading, con- 

 vex, notched at the apex. Stamens 4, ascending under the upper lip. 



