152 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



good preparation as it contains the active principle of the plant, 

 a yellow, viscid, essential oil. 



Botanical Description. — A plant about 1° high, stem 

 and branches bearing 3 serrate wings. Leaves premorse, lan- 

 ceolate, decurrent, downy. Flowers white, in a globose head, 

 divided into 50 or more groups each with its own calyx of 9 or 

 10 leaflets surrounding 2 or 3 hermaphrodite, 5-toothed, cam- 

 panulate flowers. Anthers 5, united. Style 1, tliick at ex- 

 tremity. Stigma none. Corolla of pistillate flowers very 

 minute, with 3 obscure teeth. Stigma of 2 down-curved divi- 

 sions. One seed, 4-angled, imbricated. 



Habitat. — The rice fields. Blooms in January. 



Spilanthes Acmella, L. 



NoM. VuLG. — Hagonnf/, Tag. ; Afjonoy, Sp.-Fil., Vis. (?) ; 

 Palunay, Pam. 



Uses. — Some native herb-doctors use the root as a purgative, 

 giving a decoction of 4—8 grams to a cup of water. The infu- 

 sion is used locally for itch and psoriasis. Internally it has a 

 diuretic effect and is reputed to be a solvent of vesical calculi. 

 The leaf juice and the bruised leaves are applied to wounds and 

 atonic ulcers. These leaves with those of " sambon " and 

 "sampaloc" (tamarind) are used to prepare aromatic baths for 

 convalescents, rheumatics and pregnant women. 



Botanical Description. — A plant with stem drooping, 

 square, grooved, covered with drops of gum resin. Leaves 

 opposite, cordate, oval, lanceolate, serrate, 3 prominent nerves 

 covered with short down. Petioles short, grooved. Flowers 

 yellow, in a sort of umbel, with 3 or more flowerets on long 

 peduncles. Common calyx, 9-11 narrow sepals, concave, fleshy, 

 in 2 rows. Hermaphrodite disk-flowers 40 or more. Corolla 

 tubular, 5-toothed. Anthers longer than corona. Pistil longer 

 than stamens. Style bifid. Pistillate flowers, 15 or more, form- 

 ing the rays. Corolla monopetalous, 3-tootlu'(l. Style and 



