54 
DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
flowered, calyx 5-parted, imbricated. Corolla open funnel- 
form, 5-lobed, the lobes broad and imbricated in the bud. 
Stamens 5 on the tube of the corolla, anthers linear or ob- 
long; style filiform; the 4 lobes stigmatose inside. Capsule 
elliptical, compressed contrary to the narrow partition, sep- 
ticidal ; the conduplicate valves at length 2-cleft at the apex. 
The flowers are showy and produced in abundance, March- 
. April. Only on the southern border of the State, Chatta- 
nooga. The plant is poisonous. The rhizome should be 
collected before or after flowering. 
Spigelia Marilandica, L. Pinkroot. Spigelia. A herbace- 
ous plant with a large perennial rootstock ; stem 1-2° high ; 
leaves from ovate-lanceolate to ovate and acuminate, 2-4 
long, closely sessile by a rounded base, one or two pairs of 
veins basal. Flower unilateral-spicate on the single or 
sometimes geminate or umbellate and naked terminal pe- 
duncles of a scorpioid inflorescence; bracts minute and sub- 
ulate or wanting. Calyx 5-parfed ; the lobes narrow, usual- 
ly very slender. Corolla tubular-funnelform or salverform, 
15-nerved ; stamens 5; anthers linear or oblong, 2-lobed 
at the base. Style filiform, articulated near or below the 
middle, puberulent or pubescent. Capsule didymous, some- 
what compressed contrary to the partition, circumcissile 
above the cupule-like, persistent base, and 2-coccous, the 
carpels soon localicidally 2-valved. The very showy corolla 
is scarlet outside, yellow within, long. Frequently and 
deservedly cultivated in gardens. The anthelmintic virtues 
of this plant were first learned from the Cherokee and Creek 
Indians, and the roots are still employed for this purpose by 
the country people. The roots are collected after blooming. 
GENT! A'NACEiE. (Gentian Family.) 
Sabbatia angularis, Pursh. American Centaury. Pretty an- 
nual, 2° high, stem quadrangular with sharp angles, panicu- 
lately branched above ; the branches leafy, all opposite; leaves 
cordate-ovate and clasping, 3-5 nerved; numerous and 
crowded branches few-flowered, pyramidally or somewhat 
