Flora Medica

EUPATORtUM.EUPATORIUM.Heads 3-100-flowered. Receptacle flat, naked. Involucralscales in 1, 2, or more rows, equal or unequal, loosely or closelyimbricated. Throat of corolla hardly dilated. Anthers inclosed.Arms of the style protruding, cylindrical, obtuse. Achaeniumangular or striated. Pappus in 1 row, hairy, rough. DC.907. E. perfoliatum Linn, sp.pl. 11 74-. Bigelow mad. hot. t. 2.DC.prodr. v. 151. E. connatum Michauxfl. bor. am. ii. 99Meadows and boggy soils in North America; vulgarly called" Thorough wort, Thorough wax, Cross wort, Bone set."Stems erect, round, hairy, branched at the top only. Leaves connate,linear-lanceolate, acuminate, decreasing gradually in breadth fromthe stem, where they are widest, to the extremities, serrated, wrinkled,pale underneath, and hairy, especially on the veins. Flowers in corymbswith hairy peduncles. Involucre cylindrical, imbricated, 12-15-flowered ;the bracts lanceolate, acute, hairy. Florets tubular, with 5 spreadingsegments, with a rough down-like pappus. Style filiform, divided into2 filiform acuminate branches, which project beyond the corolla. Fruitoblong on a naked receptacle. All the parts bitter ; a decoction ofthe leaves the most active form. A valuable tonic stimulant ; used asa substitute for Peruvian bark in the cure of intermittent fevers in theUnited States. In large doses, in warm infusion or decoction, emetic,sudorific, and aperient.A good substitute for Chamomile flowers infacilitating the operation of an emetic.908. E. Ayapana Vent. malm. t. 3. DC. prodr. v. 170E. triplinerve Vahl.symb.iii. 97- South America, on the rightbank of the Amazons, and elsewhere, whence it has been carriedinto the East Indies.Stem suffruticose at the base, ascending, branched, smooth.Leavessubsessile, opposite, lanceolate, triple- nerved, acuminate, nearly entire,smooth. Corymb loose, few-headed. Heads pedicellate, each containingabout 20 florets. Scales of the involucre in about 1 row,linear, acuminate, unequal, downy at the back. The infusion of thisplant is said to be a powerful sudorific, and alexipharmic. L'Heritierrecommends it as an antidote against the bite of veaomous serpentsand malignant insects. For this it purpose is used in Brazil.A quantity of the bruised leaves, which is to be frequently changed, islaid on the scarified wound, and some spoonfuls of the expressed juiceare from time to time administered to the patient, till he is found to befree from the symptoms, particularly the dreadful anxiety which followsthe wounds of venomous reptiles. Martins.MIKANIA.Head 4-flowered. Receptacle naked, narrow. Involucralleaves 4, with a bractlet added at the base or below it. Tubeof corolla short; throat dilated and somewhat campanulate.Anthers somewhat protruded. Achaenium angular. Pappusin 1 row, rough and hairy. DC.451 G G 2