Scientific name Triosteum Rank Genus | ||
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Similar Caprifoliaceae, Triosteum himalayanum, Dipsacales, Dipelta, Leycesteria | ||
Triosteum perfoliatum
Triosteum, commonly known as horse-gentian or, less commonly, feverwort, is a genus of flowering plants in the Caprifoliaceae family. A genus of six species total, it has three species native to North America, and three more in eastern Asia.
Contents
triosteum
Description
These are perennial, herbaceous plants of rich woods. Each plant typically consists of at least one erect, round, hairy, fistular stem, 1 to 4 feet (0.3 to 1.2m) high, with opposite ovate-lanceolate entire leaves, and whitish to purplish flowers presented either in axillary whorls or terminal racemes. The fruit is a drupe. It may be white, yellow, orange, or red, depending on the species. The dried and roasted fruits have been occasionally used as a substitute for coffee; but it is chiefly valued for its medicinal properties. The roots of the American species have been used as an emetic and mild cathartic. It is sometimes called Tinker's root, after Dr. Tinker, who first brought it to notice.
Species
The species include the following:
