An annual plant that can grow to four feet tall. The stems and petioles are hispid, with long, soft hairs. The leaves are broad, palmated, petioled, and 5 to 9-cleft. The flowers are bluish-gray, in terminal, lax racemes, with hairy pedicels at least an inch long, and bracts inserted at their base; petals 5, dirty-white, the 2 lower spatulate. Spur hardly 2 lines long. Capsules 3, large, villous, containing many globose, 3-cornered, thick, black seeds

Antispasmodic, cathartic, emetic, narcotic, nervine, pediculicide, toxic and vermifuge (seeds)

Plants For A Future

The seeds cause a strong salivation if they are chewed and have been used in the treatment of toothache and other painful conditions of the throat and gums. Externally, a decoction is used to treat itchy skin and parasites. The plant has been used externally in the treatment of warts, lice and itches. A homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds. This is used in the treatment of a variety of ailments including adenopathy, alopecia, anxiety, body odor, blepharosis, callus, constipation, cramps, cystosis, debility, dermatosis, diabetes, diarrhea, dysuria, gonorrhea, hypochondria, hysteria, impotence, leukorrhea, melancholy, neuralgia, neurasthenia, rheumatism, rhinosis, scrofula, seborrhea, toothache, injuries and headache.

2 tsp seed poisonous; leads to collapse with labored breathing, stomach pain, and weakened pulse.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 697, CRC Press July 2002.