To one whose childhood was passed in the country some fifty years ago the name or sight of this plant is fraught with unpleasant memories. The attic or wood-shed was hung with bunches of the dried herb which served as so many grewsome warnings against wet feet, or any over-exposure which might result in cold or malaria. A certain Nemesis, in the shape of a nauseous draught which was poured down the throat under the name of “boneset tea,” attended such a catastrophe. The Indians first discovered its virtues, and named the plant ague-weed. Possibly this is one of the few herbs whose efficacy has not been over-rated. Dr. Millspaugh says: “It is prominently adapted to cure a disease peculiar to the South, known as break-bone fever (Dengue), and it is without doubt from this property that the name boneset was derived.”
White Snakeroot.
Eupatorium ageratoides. Composite Family (p. [13]).
About three feet high. Stem.—Smooth and branching. Leaves.—Opposite, long-stalked, broadly ovate, coarsely and sharply toothed. Flower-heads.—White, clustered, composed of tubular blossoms.
Although this species is less common than boneset, it is frequently found blossoming in the rich Northern woods of late summer.
PLATE XXXII
BONESET.—E. perfoliatum.
Climbing Hemp-weed.
Mikania scandens. Composite Family (p. [13]).
Stem.—Twining and climbing, nearly smooth. Leaves.—Opposite, somewhat triangular-heart-shaped, pointed, toothed at the base. Flower-heads.—Dull white or flesh-color, composed of four tubular flowers; clustered, resembling boneset.
In late summer one often finds the thickets which line the slow streams nearly covered with the dull white flowers of the climbing hemp-weed. At first sight the likeness to the boneset is so marked that the two plants are often confused, but a second glance discovers the climbing stems and triangular leaves which clearly distinguish this genus.