XANTHIUM, in botany; a genus of plants of the class monocotyl, order pentandria, and arranged in the natural classification under the 49th order, compositae. The male flowers are composite, common calyx imbricated; corollae monopetalous, tubular, quinquefid. Female: calyx involucre of two leaves, containing two flowers; carolla 2; drupa,
dry, prickly; nucleus bilocular. There are five species; only one of which is a native of Britain, the strumarium or less bardock. The stem of this plant is a foot and a half high, thick, often spotted; leaves heart-shaped, lobed, on long footstalks. Flowers, male and female, many together, in the axle of the leaves. The leaves are bitter and astringent. A decoction of the whole plant affords a flowery yellow colour, but it is better if only the flowers are used. Florists and goats eat it; cows, sheep, and swine refuse it.