Viper's Grass.
Scorzonera
A tall and handsome plant, native of the warmer parts of Europe, but kept in our gardens. It is three feet high; the stalk is round, thick, upright, and firm; the leaves are numerous and stand irregularly: they are long, narrow, of a pale green, sharp pointed, and not dentated at the edges. Those from the root are long and narrow also, but they are considerably larger. The flowers grow at the top of the branches; they are large like dandelion flowers in shape, and of a most beautiful pale yellow; the seed has a white down annexed to it. The root is long, thick, and brown.
The root is the part used, and it is best fresh taken up. It is given in infusion, and it is cordial, and operates by sweat; it is good in fevers, but little used.
