Flora Medica

ERICACEAE.781. Ledum palustre Linn.fi. lapp. 160, has similar properties.KALMIA.Calyx 5-leaved, small, equal, herbaceous. Corolla cyathiformwith an angular very open limb, having 10 niches in its sides,within which the points of the anthers are held fast beforeflowering, but from which they are gradually liberated as theprocess of fertilization goes on. Capsules 5-celled, with a septicidaldehiscence.782. K. latifolia Linn. sp. pi 560. Bot. 1.Mag. 175. Mich,arbres. forest,iii. 147. t. 5. Bigel. med. hot. i. t. 13. Commonin various parts of the United States ;(Laurel, Lambkill, Ivy,Spoonwood, Calico-bush, Mountain laurel).Height generally that of a shrub, sometimes however attaining thealtitude of a small tree. Leaves irregularly alternate, evergreen,coriaceous, very smooth, with the under side somewhat paler, oval,acute and entire. Flowers varying from white to red ;in terminalsimple or compound corymbs, with opposite branches. Pedicels glutinous,pubescent, with ovate, acuminate bracts. Calyx small, 5-parted,persistent, with oval acute segments. Corolla monopetalous, with aconical tube, a cyathiform limb, and an erect shallowly 5-lobed margin ;at the circumference of the limb on the inside are 10 niches or pits,accompanied with corresponding prominences on the outside in these;depressions the anthers are found lodged at the time when the flowerexpands. Stamens hypogynous, bent outwardly, so as to lodge theiranthers in the niches of the corolla, but liberating them during theperiod of flowering and striking against the sides of the stigma.Ovary roundish ; style longer than the corolla and declinate ; stigmaobtuse. Capsule roundish, depressed, 5-celled, and 5-valved, withnumerous small seeds. Leaves poisonous to many animals ;arereputed to be narcotic, but their action is feeble and unimportant.Bigelow states that the flesh of pheasants which have fed upon theyoung shoots is poisonous to man, and some cases of severe illness areon record which have been ascribed to this cause alone. The flowersexude a sweet honey-like juice, which is said when swallowed to bringon intoxication of a phrenitic kind, which is not only formidable in itssymptoms but very lengthened in its duration. Burnett. A brownpowder which adheres to the shoots acts as a sternutatory.GAULTHERIA.Calyx 5-cleft or 5-toothed, bibracteate at the base, afterflowering becoming large and succulent and covering the capsulewith a baccate coating. Corolla ovate, ventricose, witha 5-cleft revolute border, transparent at the base. Stamens10, enclosed, with flat filaments ; anthers bifid at the apex ;lobes biaristate. Hypogynous scales 10, usually united at thebase. Ovarium half inferior. Capsule 5-celled, with a loculicidaldehiscence.380