AEISiEMA INDIAN TURNIP. 



2G3 



flower in threes. Embryo with a single cotyledon (or seed-leaf), whence 

 the term monocotyledonous. 



ARACE/E. 



Character of the Order. — Plants with an acrid or pungent juice, simple 

 or compound alternate leaves, and flow- 

 ers on a spadix which is commonly Ak 

 surrounded by a spathe. Floral enve- / i v \ 

 lopes absent, or of 4 to 6 sepals. Fruit 

 usually a berry. 



A large order of chiefly tropical 

 plants. In general they possess acrid 

 and irritating properties. 



ARIS^MA.— Indian Turnip. 



Arisaema triphyllum Torrey. — 

 Indian Turnip. 



Description. — Flowers monoecious 

 or by abortion dioecious, crowded upon 

 the base of an elongated, club-shaped 

 spadix, which is surrounded and cov- 

 ered by a flattened, incurved, hooded 

 spathe ; both spathe and spadix, the foi\ 

 mer especially, often variegated with 

 dark purple spots and stripes. Floral 

 envelope absent. Sterile flowers above 

 the fertile, each of a cluster of 2- to 4- 

 celled anthers ; fertile flowers, consist- 

 ing of a single 1-celled, 5- to 6-ovuled 

 ovary, forming in fruit a scarlet, 1- to 5- 

 seeded berry. Leaves mostly two, di- FlG - 15T.— Arisaema triphyllum. 



vided into 3 elliptical-ovate, entire, pointed, veiny leaflets. 



A low perennial herb, with a wrinkled, turnip-shaped, farinaceous conn. 

 It blooms in April and May. 



Habitat. — In rich woods, everywhere. 



Parts Used. — The corm — not official. 



Constituents. — Indian turnip contains an intensely acrid principle which 

 has not yet been isolated. It is evidently very volatile, being partially lost 

 in drying, and entirely so by long keeping. 



Preparations. — It has been emplo} r ed in substance and in syrup. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — In the recent state Indian turnip, applied 

 to the skin, may vesicate ; being chewed it leaves in the mouth an acrid 



