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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.




BUTTERWORT
LENTIBULARIACEAE
(Pinguicula vulgaris)
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A carniverous plant (to 6 inches) of North America and Eurasia found in bogs, moist heaths, ponds and lakesides. Thick fleshy leaves, ovate to elliptical, obtuse to 2 inches, with crystalline dots and a greasy feel, form a basal rosette. Flowers are solitary, violet to purple, 3/4 inch long, on a naked stem; calyx 4 to 5 lobed; corolla 5-lobed, 2-lipped, spurred at base; 2 stamens. Fruit is a capsule.

The pulp of the leaves has been used to clot milk for buttermaking.





©2005 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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