38 
DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
Leaves and stems bristly-hairy. Leaves linear lanceolate, 
attenuate at base, 3-nerved, entire. In the cedar glades, 
rather infrequent. FI. July-August. Very recently it has 
been claimed to be a very efficient remedy in scrofulous 
and syphilitic affections. A fluid extract is prepared from 
the root. 
Helianthus tuberosus, L. Topinambour. Jerusalem Arti- 
choke. Stout, 6-10° high, herbaceous perennial of the sun- 
flower type. Stem pubescent or hirsute, branching at sum- 
mit, leaves alternate, ovate or subcordate, accuminate, thick- 
ish-membranaceous; bracts of the involucre lanceolate, at- 
tenuate, acuminate, hirsute; rays 12-20, often 1J', usually 
1' long. Achenes quadrangular-compressed, long and slen- 
der, pubescent at summit and margin; bracts of the receptacle 
hirsute-pubescent. Rootstocks horizontal, enlarging at apex 
into oval or fusiform fleshy tubers, which in cultivation 
become large, oval or roundish, sweet and edible. FI. Au- 
gust-September. Rich alluvial soil and river bottoms, over 
the State. Imported from Canada in the early part of the 
seventeenth century, and long extensively cultivated in fields 
and gardens in England and France, for food for cattle and 
for culinary purposes, until it was gradually displaced by 
the potato. It possesses the highest percentage of sugar 
with 147.5 per M., while parsnips contain only 120 per M. 
When nicely cooked they are well flavored and more nutri- 
tious than potatoes. Moreover they may be eaten by inva- 
lids when debarred from the use of other vegetables. The 
name, “ Jerusalem Artichoke,” is a corruption of the Italian 
“ Girasole Articocco,” or Sunflower Artichoke. 
Helianthella tenuifolia, Torr. & Gray. Helianthella. A very 
handsome plant belonging to the sunflower tribe. The slen- 
der and generally simple stem rises from a narrow, some- 
what moniliform horizontal tuber. Leaves very narrow with 
revolute margins. Rays orange yellow, 1J' long, 10-15; 
achenes slightly pubescent, quadrangular and moderately, or 
the outer very little compressed, the anterior and posterior 
angles narrowly and acutely margined, surmounted by subu- 
