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NAT. ORDER. ACANTHACEjE. 
part of winter, when several of the numerous purple spikes have a 
succession of flowers ; two on each, and never more than that number 
being open at the same time. 
Propagation and Culture. This genus contains plants of no great 
beauty, and are hardly worth cultivating as an ornament ; their medi- 
cinal qualities also are very limited, and of but little value ; they are 
only cultivated as a rare plant in some of the largest and most exten- 
sive botanical gardens. The annual species should be treated similar 
to other plants of the like character, and of the hot-house kind. The 
shrubby and perennial and herbaceous kinds, like other stove plants. 
They are all quite easily increased by seeds. 
Medical Properties and Uses. This plant is said to possess con- 
siderable astringent properties, and was used at one time for tanning, 
and in medicine for bleeding at the lungs, dysenteria, and other com- 
plaints of the bowels. A strong decoction was used for bathing in 
piles, sores, ulcers, sore eyes, and internally for cankered throat, and 
as a gargle for other purposes. 
