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NAT. ORDER. — CONVOLVULACEiE. 
are on the upper surface of a deep green, and on the under of a 
lighter shade. As the flowers, which are peduncled, large and white, 
approach the summit of the stem, they separate further; several are 
usually in a fascicle ; their buds pass from a purplish hue, tinctured 
with red to a straw-like color ; the three inner sepals, which are the 
largest, are commonly tipped with an abrupt subulate point ; the 
tube of the corolla is beautified with the purple color. It flowers 
from June to August. 
Medical Properties and Uses. In taste this plant is bitter, 
slightly astringent, and, like many others of the same genus, some- 
what cathartic. These qualities, which assimilate it in effect to 
rhubarb, and provide for it a ready and needed sphere, are drawing 
towards it extensive notice from medical practitioners. The very 
peculiarity of its virtues has tended to retard its acknowledgment. 
In calculous affections it holds claim as a remedy. By its means 
calculous granulae has been administered with facility. In addition 
to this it may be considered as possessed of diuretic qualities, a sup- 
position which will probably be confirmed by further trial. Its root 
has not unfrequently been sold for mechoacanna, according to a wri- 
ter in the Materia Medica, and who observed its collection and sale 
to this end. Other properties are rendered not improbable by the 
fact that with empirics whose private interest it is to hide their mode 
of practice, this plant has been in constant requisition. 
