Flora Medica

CICHORAC&S.961. T. Dens leonis Holler hist. i. 23. Leasing, synopsis 135.Leontodon Taraxacum Linn. sp. pi. 1122. Eng. Bot. t. 510.Woodv. t. 3. Smith Eng. Fl. iii. 349. Meadows, pastures,old walls, &c. very common all over Europe. (Dandelion.)Root tap-shaped, very milky, externally black, difficult of extirpation.Leaves numerous, spreading, of a bright shining green, quite smooth,tapering downwards, sessile, pinnatifid, with sharp, unequally toothedlobes, pointing downwards, or, in botanical language, runcinate, of whichthese leaves are a perfect example. Scapes 1 or more, longer than theleaves, erect, smooth, brittle, naked. Flower-heads 1 inch wide, of a uniformgolden yellow, expanded in the morning and in fine weather only.Outer scales of the involucre several, linear-oblong, loosely recurvedand wavy. As the fruit ripens the involucre becomes reflexed close tothe stalk, leaving the light globe, near 2 inches in diameter, formed bytheir radiating pappus, quite exposed, till dispersed by the winds. Smith.The infusion, decoction, and extract of the root are tonic and inlarge doses aperient. In some cases it acts as a diuretic. In thehepatic complaints of persons long resident in hot climates it oftenaffords very marked relief.CICHORIUM.Involucral scales in 2 rows, the outer shorter and rather lax ;the inner 8 or more, converging, equal. Receptacle naked.Achaenia beakless, turbinate, all of the same form. Pappus short,equal, composed of elliptical obtuse paleae,in 2 rows.a962. C. Intybus Linn. sp. />/. 1142. Eng. Bot. t. 539.Woodv. t. 248. Smith Eng. FL iii. 379. Lessing synops. 129.Common by waysides and on the borders of fields all overEurope. (Wild succory.)Root spindle-shaped, fleshy, whitish, milky. Stem 2 or 3 feet high,solid, round, furrowed, hispid, very tough. Radical leaves spreading,above a span long, numerous, runcinate, toothed, roughish ; caulinesmaller, sessile, less lobed, tne uppermost cordate, acuminate, entire.Flower-heads large, of a beautiful bright blue, axillary,in pairs, allnearly or quite sessile. Involucre roughish. Anthers and stigma blue.Root is said to be tonic and in large doses aperient. It has beenused in chronic visceral and cutaneous diseases, especiallyin the form ofdecoction. Pereira. The root is extensively cultivated, especially inFrance, as a substitute for coffee. When full grown, it is cut into dice,roasted, and ground down, when it cannot be distinguished by the eyefrom that substance : it agrees with it also in taste, but wants thepleasant aroma. The French maintain that the quality of Coffee isimproved by the addition of the succory root if not in too large aquantity. It certainly affords a most harmless means of adulterating it.470