Jalap Plant.
Jalapium.
A climbing plant, native of America, and not yet got into our gardens. The root is long, irregularly shaped, and thick. The stalks are round, tough, and firm, but slender and unable to support themselves. They grow to ten or twelve feet in length, and wind among the bushes. The leaves are oblong, broadest toward the base, of a dusky green, and not dented about the edges. The flowers are large, and of the shape of a bell, and their colour is purplish or white. The seed-vessel is large and oval.
The root is the part used; and druggists sell it. Given in powder with a little ginger, to prevent its griping, it is an excellent purge. A strong tincture of it made in brandy answers the same purpose; it is good in dropsies; and is in general a safe and excellent purge.
