CLASS XI. ORDER II.J AGRIMOKIA. 677 



smsill membranous nuts, inclosed in llie indurated lube of Uie 



calyx. — Name corrupted from Argemone, given by the Greeks to 



a plant supposed to cure cataract in the eye, called v-eynf/.tt. 



I. A. Eupalo'ria, Linn. (Fig. 774) Common A(jrimony. Spike 



elongated ; calyx in fruit, ob-conical, deeply furrowed ; leaves of the 



stem interruptedly pinnate; leaflets oblong, lanceolate, deeply serrated, 



the intermediate ones small, the terminal one on a footstalk. 



English Botany, t. 1335.— English Flora, vol. ii. p. 346. — Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 220. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 99. 



Root tapering, branched, of a reddish yellow colour. Stem erect, 

 about two feet high, rarely branched, with alternate distant leaves, 

 roundish, mostly of a reddish colour, or spotted and clothed with lonjif 

 spreading hairs. Leaves numerous at the base of the stem, alternate, 

 from four to six inches long, with deep cut stipules at the base, inter- 

 ruptedly pinnate, the leaflets dark green, paler beneath, and clothed 

 wiih long spreading hairs, opposite and alternate, the smaller inter- 

 mediate leaflets of irregular shapes and size. Inflorescence a long 

 terminal spike, of numerous at first crowded flowers, which, after 

 flowering, become more distant. Flowers yellow, apparently sessile, 

 but after flowering the fruit is elevated on a short pedicle, having at 

 the base a three cleft bractea, and beneath the calyx two smaller three 

 cleft scales, or bracteola. Calyx tubular, furrowed, hairy, with a five 

 cleft limb, of short ribbed lanceolate segments, surrounded externally 

 with rough rigid hooked bristles, which become much enlarged after 

 flowering. Corolla of five ovate short clawed petals. Stamens on 

 short filaments, inserted into the throat of the calyx tube. Styles two, 

 spreading. Fruit two membranous nuts, enveloped in the hardened 

 tube of the calyx. Seed ovate, pointed, suspended. 



Habitat. — Waste and shady places on road sides, borders of fields, 

 &c. ; frequent. 

 Perennial ; flowering in June and July. 



The genus Agrimonia, it will be observed, is nearly allied, especially 

 by the variable number of its stamens, to the class Icosandria, in which 

 perhaps it would be better to place it. 



Agrimony, from the tonic astringent properties which it possesses, 

 has long obtained a place among the British herbalist's collections, and 

 has been esteemed as a useful remedy in the expulsion ot worms from 

 the body ; from its pleasant aromatic flavour it has also composed a 

 part of various renowned British herb teas, and was thought useful in 

 the form of a gargle in affections of the throat, and the decoction was 

 reputed a useful drink in the cure of fevers, &c. The juice of the 

 plant before it has flowered dyes woollen goods of a nankeen colour, 

 and if collected after it has flowered it produces a much darker yellow. 

 It has also been used from the astringent properties which it possesses 

 la the process of tanning leather. 



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