Spermacoce (spermakose)

[NL. (Dillenius, 1732), so called in allusion to the carpels pointed with one or more calyx-teeth; open, one one often retaining the membranous axis. There are about 175 species, scattered through tropical and subtropical regions, and particularly common in America. They are annual or perennial herbs or low undershrubs, with smooth, rough, or hairy stems, commonly with four angled branchlets. They bear opposite leaves, which are either se ile or petioled, membranous or coriaceous, nerved or feather-veined. The stipules are united with the petioles into a bristle-bearing membrane or sheath. The small se ile flowers are solitary in the axils or variously clustered, often in dense axillary and terminal heads, and are white, pink, or blue. In allusion to the heads, the species are called button - weed. Five species occur in the United States all southern and summer-flowering and with a short white corolla; S. glabra, the most common, extends into Ohio. Several species are in repute for medicinal properties, especially as substitutes for ipecacuanha, for which S. ferruginea and S. Poaya are used in Brazil, and S. verticil lat a in the West Indies. The root of S. hispid a is used as a sudorific in India.