AMERICAN MEDICINAL PLANTS 



13 



BLACK WILLOW 



Salix nigra Marsh. (Fig. 19.) 



Other common names. — Swamp willow. 



Habitat and range. — This tree is found in low ground and along streams from 

 New Brunswick to western Ontario and in North Dakota, Florida, and Texas. 



Description. — This willow is a tree attaining a height of 120 feet and a trunk 

 diameter of 3 feet, with narrow lance-shaped leaves 2> x 2 to 5 inches long and up 

 to three-quarters of an inch wide, finely toothed and hairy when young. Male 

 and female flowers are borne in separate catkins which expand with the leaves, 

 the male catkins 1 to 2 inches and the female catkins V/'i to 3 inches long. 



Part used. — The bark and buds. In limited demand only. 



Figure 19.— Black willow (Salix nigra) 



Figure 20. — Blessed thistle {Cnicus benedictus) 



BLESSED THISTLE 



Cnicus benedictus L. (Fig. 20.) 



Synonyms. — Carduus benedictus Steud.; Carbenia benedicta Adans. 



Other common names. — Holy thistle, St.-Benedict's-thistle, Our Lady's thistle, 

 bitter thistle, spotted thistle, cursed thistle, blessed cardus, spotted cardus. 



Habitat and range. — The blessed thistle is a weed which is found sparingly in 

 waste places and stony, uncultivated localities from Nova Scotia to Maryland 

 and the Southern States, also on the Pacific coast. 



Description. — This plant, which scarcely exceeds 2 feet in height, has a coarse, 

 erect, branched, and rather woolly stem. The leaves are 3 to 6 inches long, more 

 or less hairy, with margins lobed and spiny. The yellow flower heads which 

 appear from about May to August are borne at the ends of the branches, almost 

 hidden by the upper leaves, and are about V/% inches long. Surrounding the flower 

 heads are leathery scales, tipped with long, branching, yellowish-red spines. The 

 herb has a rather disagreeable odor which is lost in drying. 



Part used. — The leaves and leafy flowering tops, gathered preferably just before 

 or during the flowering period. In limited demand only. 



