Flower de Luce

A common flower growing in our gardens. The plant grows three feet high. The leaves are a foot and a half long, narrow, fiat, and in all respects like the leaves of flags, and of a bluish green. The stalks are round, or a little flatted; thick, firm, upright, and of a greener colour. The flowers are larger, and of a deep blue. The roots spread about the surface, and is thick and of a brownish colour, and marked with rings.

The juice of the fresh roots of this plant bruised with white wine is a strong purge; it will someatimes also vomit; but that is not hurtful; it is a cure for dropsies. Gordon, an old physic writer, says if a dropsy can be cured by the hand of man, this root will effect it. I have found it true in practice.