Flora Medica

SAXIFRAGACEJE.Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 162.HEUCHERA.Calyx permanent, 5-cleft, with an imbricated aestivation. Petalsundivided, somewhat unequal. Stamens 5. Styles 2, verylong, distinct, the length of the stamens, eventually diverging.Capsule crowned by the withered flower, at the lower part unitedto the calyx, 1 -celled, dehiscing between the styles.572. H. americana Linn. sp. pi. 328. Elliott i. 337. Torreyfl.i. 290. DC. prodr.iii. 51. H. viscida Pursh i. 187. H. CortusaMichx.fl.bor.am.\,\1\, H. reniformis and H. glaucaEaf. med.fl.i. 244.? Shady rocky situations in North America.(Alum root.)Root perennial. Leaves all radical, on very long downy stalks,roundish-cordate, hispidly pilose, about 7-lobed ;the lobes with dilatedmucronate teeth. Scape erect, naked, 2-3 feet long. Panicle thin,at length divaricating. Calyx obovate, striated, with very blunt segments.Petals minute, spathulate, purple, inserted into the margin ofthe calyx, between its segments. Filaments as long again as the petals,inserted opposite the segments of the calyx, persistent. Capsule ovate.Seeds minute, oblong, black, very hispid. Root a powerful astringent.273