Perfoliate Bellwort
- Uvularia perfoliata
This is one of three
bellworts found in the region. The technical term for a stem
which seems to pierce the leaf is "perfoliate", hence
the common name. As was the case for all three species this was
assumed to be an effective treatment for throat ailments since
the flower hanging down was said to resemble the Uvula in the
back of a human's throat. Basing a plant's medicinal qualities
on the resemblance to a body part was called the Doctrine
of Signatures.
|
