PHRAGMITES

(Lat.), n. m. Fra2g(fra3g)-mit(met)'ez(as). From 4>payiu.a, a fence. Fr., phragmite. Ger., Rohrschilf. 1. Reed; a genus of the Festucece. 2. Of Adanson, the genus Saccharum. [B, 34, 64, 42, 121 (a, 35).] P. commuiiis. Fr., jonc a balais. Ger., gemeines Rohrschilf, Teichrohr. Common (or ditch) reed, bennels; a widely dispersed species having numerous economic uses. A fungus growing upon it produces by its spores severe headaches and other disorders in those who cut the reeds. In southern Utah the leaves are punctured by small insects, and a liquid of a sweetish, licorice-like taste exudes, which hardens gradually and is used as food by the Indians. The root of the reed, radix a rund in is vulgar is, was formerly official as an alterative, especially in syphilitic complaints. It has a sweetish, mucilaginous taste, and is diaphoretic and diuretic. [B, 61; " Proc. of the Am. Pharm. A oc.," xxvii (o, 50); B, 34, 42, 173, 180, 185, 275 (o, 35).] [s. 261]