34 



The balsamic odor diminishes in drying-. The herb has a bitter, per- 

 sistent taste. 



Hoarhound is well known as a remedy for colds, and is also used in 

 dyspepsia and for expelling worms. 



Imports and prices. — A considerable quantity of marrubium or 



hoarhound is imported, about 

 125,000 pounds coming into 

 this country annually. Three 

 to 8 cents is the price paid per 

 pound. 



BLESSED THISTLE. 



Cnicus benedictus L.- 



Other common names. — Holy 

 thistle, bitter thistle, Our 

 Lady T s thistle, St. Benedict's 

 thistle, cursed thistle, spotted 

 thistle. (Fig. 23.) 



Range and habitat. — This 

 wood has been introduced 

 from Europe and occurs in 

 stony, uncultivated localities 

 and waste places in the South- 

 ern Stub's and in California 

 and Utah. 



Description. — Blessed thistle 

 is an annual plant belonging to 

 the aster family (Asteraceae). 

 The round stems are erect, 

 about 1 to 2 feet high, branched, 

 and rather woolly. The leaves 

 are more or less hairy, the 

 lower ones borne on petioles (leaf steins), the upper ones sessile 

 (stemless) and clasping the stem. They are oblong-lanceolate and 

 wavy-lobed. The terminal yellow flower heads are surrounded by 

 -cale- of a leathery texture, which are prolonged into long, hard, 

 branching spines. 



Parts used. — The leaves and tops should be collected when the 

 plant is in (lower, about June, thoroughly and quickly dried, and 

 kept in a vessel from which moisture, light, and air should be 

 excluded. They have a somewhat disagreeable odor and the taste is 

 very bitter. 



Blessed thistle is employed in fevers, dyspepsia, and as a tonic to 

 restore the appetite. 



Fie. 22.— Hoarhound, flowering top. 



