LIATRIS SCARIOSA. 
SCALY-CUPPED LIATRIS. 
Order. 
POLYGAM I A jEQUALIS. 
Natural Order. 
CORYMBIFERJ5. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Cultivated 
N. America. 
2 feet. 
September. 
Perennial. 
in 1759. 
No. 161. 
Of tfie origin of the term Liatris we know no- 
thing. Scariosa, scaly ; in reference to the forma- 
tion of its calyx. 
All the species of Liatris, that have been intro- 
duced to this country, are natives of America, and 
though several are not of recent introduction, they 
are still but sparingly met with. It is stated by 
Pursh that in some parts of North America, the 
Liatris scariosa and Liatris squarrosa are called the 
rattle-snake’s master, on account of their efficacy 
in the cure of the bite of that reptile. Probably 
Mr. Catesby alludes to the root of this plant, when 
speaking of the Americans, and their antidotes to 
the poison of the rattlesnake. He says, “ But that 
which they rely on the most, and which the Virgi- 
nian and Carolina Indians carry dry in their pockets, 
is a small tuberous root, which they procure from 
the remote parts of the country. This they chew, 
and swallow the juice, applying some to the wound.” 
It maybe divided in the spring; and flourishes 
in a light rich soil. Seeds are not produced in Eng- 
land from plants in the open ground. Probably the 
roots would bear drying. 
41 Hort. Kcw. 2, v. 4, 503. 
Class. 
SYNGBNESIA. 
