Arkansas Flora
SOLANUM CAROLINENSE: "Horse Nettle, Bull Nettle"
Oak-like leaves, brownish stems with sharp spines, white flowers with yellow centers, tomato-like fruit (green and then yellowish). Grows in disturbed land (pastures, etc).
POISON! Nightshade Family! Medicine: Diuretic, analgesic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac (berries). For sore throat, gargle wilted leaf tea. For poison ivy rash, apply a leaf poultice. For worms, drink a leaf tea.
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM: "St. John's Wort"
Perennial, 1-3 ft tall. Leaves paired, hugging stem, spotted, oblong. Flowers yellow, 5 petals, tiny dots on petals. Seed pods in clusters at top of stems. Whole plant smells like brown sugar. Crushed flowers leave a red stain.
Medicine: Antidepressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral. Dried leaves can be smoked as a mood enhancer. Flower tea is good for bladder ailments, diarrhea, worms, depression. May make one sensative to light or increase chance of sunburn.
RUDBECKIA HIRTA: "Black-Eyed Susan"
Bright yellow flowers with black/brown cone-shaped centers. Stiff hairy stem, fuzzy oval alternating leaves. One flower per stem.
Medicine: Immunostimulant, similar to echinacea. Root tea for worms, colds. External wash for sores, snakebite, swelling. May cause contact dermatitis.
Oak-like leaves, brownish stems with sharp spines, white flowers with yellow centers, tomato-like fruit (green and then yellowish). Grows in disturbed land (pastures, etc).
POISON! Nightshade Family! Medicine: Diuretic, analgesic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac (berries). For sore throat, gargle wilted leaf tea. For poison ivy rash, apply a leaf poultice. For worms, drink a leaf tea.
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM: "St. John's Wort"
Perennial, 1-3 ft tall. Leaves paired, hugging stem, spotted, oblong. Flowers yellow, 5 petals, tiny dots on petals. Seed pods in clusters at top of stems. Whole plant smells like brown sugar. Crushed flowers leave a red stain.
Medicine: Antidepressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral. Dried leaves can be smoked as a mood enhancer. Flower tea is good for bladder ailments, diarrhea, worms, depression. May make one sensative to light or increase chance of sunburn.
RUDBECKIA HIRTA: "Black-Eyed Susan"
Bright yellow flowers with black/brown cone-shaped centers. Stiff hairy stem, fuzzy oval alternating leaves. One flower per stem.
Medicine: Immunostimulant, similar to echinacea. Root tea for worms, colds. External wash for sores, snakebite, swelling. May cause contact dermatitis.