Triosteum
| Triosteum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Triosteum perfoliatum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus: | Triosteum |
Triosteum, commonly known as horse gentian or, less commonly, feverwort, is a genus of flowering plant which includes six species. It is in the Caprifoliaceae family. A genus of six species total, it has three species native to North America, and three more in China and Japan.
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 fruits may be white, yellow, orange, or red, depending on the species. The dried and roasted berries 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.
List of species[1]
Native to the eastern United States:
- T. aurantiacum - orangefruit horse-gentian
- T. angustifolium - yellowfruit horse-gentian
- T. perfoliatum - feverwort
Native to China:
- T. himalayanum
- T. pinnatifidum
Native to Japan:
- T. sinuatum
References
- ↑ Gould, K. R., Donoghue, M. J. (2000). "Phylogeny and biogeography of Triosteum (Caprifoliaceae)". Harvard Papers in Botany 5 (1): 157–166.