SCROPHULARIA, FIGWORT, in botany: A genus of the angiosperma order, belonging to the didynamia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 40th order, Perfonate. The calyx is quinquefid; the corolla almost globose, and resupinate; the capsule bilocular. There are several species, of which the most remarkable are, 1. Nodosa, or the common figwort, which grows in woods and hedges. The root is tuberous; the stalks are four or five feet high, and branched towards the top; the leaves are heart-shaped, serrated, and acute. The flowers are of a dark red colour, shaped like a cap or helmet; the lower lip greenish: they grow in loose dichotomous spikes or racemes at the top of the branches. The leaves have a fetid smell and bitter taste. A decoction of them is said to cure hogs of the measles. An ointment made of the root was formerly used to cure the piles and scrofulous sores, but is at present out of practice. 2. Aquatica, water-figwort, or betony. The root is fibrous; stem erect, square, about four feet high. The leaves are opposite, elliptical, pointed, slightly scalloped, on decurrent footstalks. Flowers purple, in loose naked spikes. It grows on the sides of rivulets and other wet places, and has a fetid smell, though not so strong as the preceding. The leaves are used in medicine as a corrector of scrofa, and in powder to promote sweating. 3. Scorodonia, or balm-leaved figwort. The stem is erect, square, about two feet high. The leaves are opposite, doubly serrated. The flowers are dusky purple, in composite bunches. It grows on the banks of rivulets, &c. in Cornwall. 4. Vermalis, or yellow figwort. The stalks are square, hairy, brown, about two feet high. The leaves are heart-shaped, roundish, hairy, indented, opposite. The flowers are yellow, on single forked footstalks from the axe of the leaves. It grows in hedges in Surrey.