Horse-Gentian (Triosteum)
Description
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 fruit is a drupe. It may be white, yellow, orange, or red, depending on the species. The dried and roasted fruits 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.[citation needed]
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Dipsacales
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Family: Caprifoliaceae
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Genus: Triosteum
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