HERNIARIA, RUPTURE-WORT

HERNIARIA, RUPTURE-WORT; a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants.

Species. There are four species, of which the only remarkable one is the glabra, or smooth rupture-wort, a native of many parts of England. It is a low trailing plant, with leaves like the smaller chickweed; the flowers come out in clusters from the side of the stalks at the joints, and are of a yellowish green colour.

Uses, &c. This plant is a little saltish and astringent. The juice takes away specks in the eye. Cows, sheep, and horses, eat the plant; goats and swine refuse it.