ORDER CXXXVIII. ARACEJ3. 551 



4. A. Wai/te'ri, (Ell.) Leaves sagittate, triangular, with the lobes 

 divaricate, acute, probably only a variety of the preceding. — 1[. April 

 — May. In swamps. 12 — 18 inches. 



The root of tho A. triphyllum is possessed of decided medicinal properties, which 

 are due to an exceedingly volatile substance, which is mostly dissipated by drying, 

 and wholly by boiling. It is exceedingly acrid, producing intense pain in the mouth 

 by biting the fresh root. It is not soluble in water, alcohol, or ether, as it communi- 

 cates none of its properties to these fluids. It has been employed with much benefit 

 in asthma, chronic coughs, rheumatism, &c. It is administered by grating tho dried 

 oot, and mixing it with sugar, in a dose often grains. 



Genus IV.— A'CORUS. L. 6—1. 

 (From a, privative, kore, pupil of the eye; from some supposed effect on the eye.) 



Spadix cylindrical, covered with flowers. Perianth gluma- 

 ceous, 6-leaved, naked. Stamens 6. Stigma sessile. Capsule 

 3-celled, 3-angled, many-seeded. 



1. A. cal'amus, (L.) Leaves ensiform, ancipitous, glabrous, entire. 

 Scape 3-angled, concave on one side, with the summit resembling the 

 leaves. Flowers on a cylindrical spadix, protruding from the side of 

 the ensiform scape. Stigma obtuse. — Pale yellow. %. April. Wet 

 places. 2 — 3 feet. Sweet-flag. 



The dried root of this plant is known in shops under the name of Calamus. It ia 

 a stimulant, tonic, and aromatic. It is prescribed in the regular practice as aid to ca- 

 thartic medicines, and in cases of debility of the alimentary canal. It was anciently 

 much more highly esteemed than at the present day. 



Genus V.— ORON'TITJM. L. 6—1. 

 (The Greek name.) 



Spadix cylindric, crowded with flowers. Perianth 6-leaved, 

 naked. Stigma sessile, very small. Fruit 1 -seeded. 



1. 0. aquat'icum, (L.) Leaves lanceolate, ovate, radical, entire, gla- 

 brous, somewhat glaucous, membranaceous ; spathe short. Spadix long, 

 green at ihe base, purple in the middle, white at the summit. Peri- 

 anth small, persistent. Filaments short. Fruit globular, fleshy. — Yel- 

 low. 2£. March — April. In marshes. Very common. 1 — 2 feet. 



Golden-club. 



Genus VI— CALA'DIUM. Vent. 19—12. 



« 



(Meaning not known.) 



Flowers monoecious. Sterile florets: perianth none. Sta- 

 mens numerous. Anthers peltate, collected in a spike at the 

 summit of the spadix. Fertile florets at the base of the spadix. 

 Perianth none. Stigma sessile. Fruit 1-celled, many-seeded. 



1. C. glau'cum, (Ell.) Leaves hastate, cordate, acuminate, entire, 

 glaucous ; lobes long ; scape about the length of the petioles ; spathe 

 cucullate, dibit ed at the summit. Spadix longer than the tube, with 

 the sterile florets extending to the summit. Fruit red, many-seeded. 

 — White. May — June. Wet soils. 12 — 15 inches. 



