458 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



number to them. Ovary 1-celled, styles united or none; stigmas 2. Capsule many- 

 seeded, with 1 or 2 cells, usually 2-valved. Seeds small, with a fleshy albumen, and a 

 minute embryo. 



A somewhat extensive order, consisting of herbs with a watery juice, and 

 in almost all cases, opposite and entire leaves. The flowers are generally 

 handsome. The species are found in all parts of the world, from the frigid 

 zones to the tropics. They all are pervaded by a bitter principle, which is 

 most developed in the roots in some genera, and in the leaves and stalk in 

 others. From this identity of properties, except that in some, especially in a 

 fresh state, a slight narcotic power exists, they may be employed indifferently. 



Sabbatia. — Adanson. 



Calyx 5 — 12-parted, rarely 5-cleft, segments acute. Corolla rotate, regular, 5 — 12- 



parted. Stamens 5 — 12, inserted in the throat of the tube ; anthers erect, spirally twisted 



after shedding the pollen. Ovary superior, ovate ; style distinct, declining, bifid ; stigmas 



capitate, ascending. Capsule bivalve, septicidal, somewhat 2-celled, valves inrlexed. 



Seeds numerous, small. 



.'■'... 

 This small genus of North American plants .consists of biennial species ; 



mostly with rose-coloured flowers of much beauty, and -possessed of very 



bitter properties. It was established by Adanson, and named in honour of a 



Roman botanist, but was united to Chironia by Linnseus, to which, in fact, 



it is closely allied, but has again been separated under its former name by 



more modern botanists. All the species are bitter and tonic, but only one is 



officinal. 



S. ANGULARIS, Pursh. 



Fig. 205. 



6. angularis. 



-Stem erect, angular, and winged ; leaves amplexicaul, ovate, 

 acute; segments of the calyx lanceolate, shorter than 

 the corolla ; stamens five. 



Linn., (Chironia,) 272 ; Pursh, i. 137 ; Bar- 

 ton, Veg. Mat. Med. i. 255 ; Bigelow, Am. Med. 

 Bot. hi. 147 ; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. ii. ,76.; 

 D. B. Smith, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. ii. 213 ; 

 Lindley, Flor. Med. 522. 



Common Names. — Centaury ; American Cen- 

 taury ; Rose Pink. 



Description. — Root annual ? or biennial, fibrous, 

 yellow. Stem one to two feet high, with opposite 

 branches, forming a corymb, smooth, angular, with 

 membranous wings at the angles. Leaves opposite, 

 sessile, subcordate and clasping, smooth, very entire.- 

 Flowers terminal, numerous, of a rich rose colour, 

 nearly white in the centre. Calyx of five narrow, 

 lanceolate, almost subulate segments, about half the 

 length of the corolla. Corolla with five obovate seg. 

 ments. Stamens five, erect, with short slender fila- 

 ments, and oblong anthers of a yellow colour, which are 

 spirally twisted after fecundation. Ovary ovate, with a 

 terete style, bifid, and the stigmas twisted together. 

 Capsule many-seeded. 



Very common in low meadow grounds or ne- 

 glected fields in most parts of the United States ; 

 flowering in August and September. The whole 

 plant is very bitter, and is officinal, and yields 

 its virtues to alcohol and water, and also affords 

 an efficient extract. It is to be preferred to the 



