ArJS.EMA INDIAN TL'UXIP. 



203 



flower in threes. F.iuhryo with a aiuglc cotyledon (ox seed-leaf), Avheuce 

 the term mouocotyledoiious. 



ARACCM. 



* 



Character of the Order. — Plants with au acrid or pungent juice, simple 

 or compound alternate leaves, and How- 

 crs ou a spadix which is commonly 

 surrounded l)y a spatlio. Floral enve- 

 lopes absent, or of 4 to G sepals. Fruit 

 usually a berry. 



A large order of chiefly tropical 

 plants. In general they possess acrid 

 and irritating properties. 



ARISzEMA. — Indian Tuunip, 



Ariseema triphyllum Torrry. — 



fndian 2'ui nip. 



Description. — Flowers inoncecious 

 or by abortion dioicious, crowded upon 

 the bas(! of au elongated, clid>shaped 

 spadix, which is surrounded and cov- 

 ered by a flattened, inciu'vod, hoodetl 

 spathe ; both spathc and spadix, tlu' for> 

 mer es2)ccially, often variegated with 

 dark purple spots and stripes. Floral 

 envelope absent. Sterile flowers above 

 tlie fertile, each of a cluster of 2- to 4- 

 cellcd anthers ; fertile flowers, consist- 

 ing of a single 1-celled, 5- to G-ovuled 

 ovary, forming in fruit a scarlet, 1- to 5- 

 seeded berry. Leaves mostly two, di- 

 vided into >) elliptical-ovate, entire, pointed, veinj- leaflets. 



A low perennial herb, with a wrinkled, turnip-shaped, farinaceous corm. 

 It blooms in April aiid ^lay. 



Iliilnlut. — In rich woods, everywhere. 



Fu)is Used. — The corm — not official. 



Constituent.^. — Indian turnip contains an intensely acrid principle which 

 has not yet been isolated. It is evidently veiy volatile, being jiartially lost 

 in drying, and c utirely so by long keeping. 



Friparatioiu^, — It has been employed in substance and in syrup. 



Medical Propertieii and Usen. — In the recent state Indian turnip, applied 

 to the skin, may vesicate ; being chewed it leaves in the mouth an acrid 



Fio. J5T. — Ai-isitma tripliylhim. 



