202 GROBA^CHACE^E. 



A tree twenty to fifty feet high. Leaves mostly opposite, large, cor- 

 date, pointed, pubescent, at least beneath, long-petioled. Mowers in large, 

 showy, terminal panicles, appearing in summer. 



Habitat. — Native of the Southern States, but common in cultivation in 

 New England and New York. 



Parts Used. — The bark and seeds — not official. 



Constituents. — In the bark have been found tannin, an amorphous 

 bitter principle, a bitter, nauseous crystalline body, besides common vege- 

 table constituents. 



Preparations. —A decoction. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Regarding the medicinal properties of 

 catalpa, there is little to be said, for little of a definite character is known. 

 It is said to be emetic and vermifuge, and to have been used in bronchitis 

 and asthma with beneficial effect. Porcher states that the honey col- 

 lected from the flowers is somewhat poisonous. 



OROBANCHACEyE. 



Character of the Order. — Low, fleshy herbs, parasitic upon the roots of 

 other plants, destitute of green foliage, bearing scales instead of leaves. 

 Calyx 4- to 5-toothed or parted. Corolla monopetalous, tubular, 5-lobed, 

 more or less 2-lipped, withering-persistent. Stamens 4, inserted in pairs 

 upon the tube of the corolla. Ovary free ; style long, curved at the apex ; 

 stigma large. Pod 1-celled, 2-valved. Seeds numerous. 



A small order of* unimportant plants. In general they possess bitter 

 and astringent properties. 



EPIPHEGUS.— Beech-Drops. 



Epiphegus Virginiana Barton. — Beech-Drops, Cancer-Root. 



Description, — Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla of the upper flowers long, 

 tubular, curved, 4-toothed, whitish and purple ; of the lower flowers, 

 short, seldom expanding, but being forced from its base by the growth of 

 the pod. Pod 2-valved at the apex, but with 2 partial partitions in each 

 valve. 



A slender much-branched herb, 6 to 12 inches high, purplish or yel- 

 lowish-brown, with small scattered scales. Flowers racemose or spiked, 

 the upper sterile, the lower fertile, appearing late in summer. 



Habitat. — -Parasitic upon the roots of beech-trees ; very common. 



Part Used. — The entire plant — not official. 



Constituents.— Unknown. 



Preparations. — Administered in decoction or powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Beech-drops has a disagreeable bitter 

 and astringent taste, which is much more pronounced in the recent than 

 in the dried specimen. It has been employed both topically and internally 



