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DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
long runners ; leaves 3-divided, the divisions all stalked, or 
at least the terminal one, broadly wedge-shaped or ovate, un- 
equally 3-cleft or parted and variously cut, never pinnately- 
compound ; frequently white- variegated, or spotted. In low, 
waste grounds ; not frequent. FI. June-August. The herb 
is collected in flowering time. 
Ranunculus bulbosus, L. Bulbous Crowfoot or Buttercups. 
Hairy, stem erect, from a bulbous or bulb-like base, 1° high. 
Radical leaves 3-divided ; the lateral divisions sessile, the 
terminal stalked and 3-parted, all wedge-shaped, cleft and 
toothed; peduncles furrowed; petals round, wedge-shaped 
at base; calyx reflexed ; carpels tipped with a very short 
beak. Leaves appearing as if pinnate; petals often 6-7, 
deep glossy yellow, the corolla more than one inch broad. 
Only once found near Nashville, probably introduced with 
garden seeds. 
Coptis trifolia Salisb. Three-leaved Goldthread. Low 
smooth perennial, with ternately divided root- leaves and 
small white flowers on 1- flowered scapes. Leaflets 3, 
obovate- wedge- form, sharply toothed, obscurely 3-lobed. 
Sepals 5-7, petal-like, deciduous. Petals 5-7, small, club- 
shaped, hollow at the apex. Stamens 15-25. Pistils 3-7, 
on slender stalks. Pods divergent, membranaceous, pointed 
with the style, 4-8 seeded. FI. May. The whole plant. 
Hydrastis Canadensis. L. Yellow Puccoon. Golden Seal. 
Herbaceous perennial, with a thick, knotty, yellow under- 
ground stem or root, from which springs up a simple stem, 
one foot high, bearing near the top two or three rounded, 
hand-shaped leaves, the upper leaf growing close up the stem, 
while the lower has a longish stalk. At the top of the stem 
is a solitary small, greenish- white inconspicuous flower, desti- 
tute of petals; the three-leaved calyx quickly falls away, 
leaving only the stamens and pistils. The fruit is about the 
size of, and greatly resembles, a raspberry in its appearance, 
having juicy flesh of a bright, crimson color. Open oak- 
barrens of Middle Tennessee. Frequent. The rhizome with 
