CONVOLVULUS JALAPA
\kənvˈɒlvjʊləs d͡ʒalˈɑːpə], \kənvˈɒlvjʊləs dʒalˈɑːpə], \k_ə_n_v_ˈɒ_l_v_j_ʊ_l_ə_s dʒ_a_l_ˈɑː_p_ə]\
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A systematic name, generally thought to be the Jalap plant. (F.) Jalap, is produced from South America. Its odour is nauseous; taste sweetish and slightly pungent. It is solid, hard, heavy, brittle; fracture, resinous; internally, light gray; externally, covered with a deep brown wrinkled bark. Its operation is cathartic, the resinous part griping violently. A drop or two of any essential oil may prevent it from griping. An active principle has been separated from Jalap, to which the names Jalapin and Cathartin have been given.
By Robley Dunglison
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.