Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Leopard's-bane, the Great

LEOPARD's-BANE, or Doronicum, L. a genus of plants comprising seven species; the principal of which is the only indigenous one, termed Pardalianches, Great Leopard's-bane, or Wolf's-bane, growing on the banks of rivers, and in the Lowlands of Scotland: it produces yellow flowers in the months of May and June.

This plant delights in a moist soil, and a shady situation: its spreading roots multiply so rapidly, and the seeds, if carelessly scattered about the land, produce plants so abundantly, as very soon to become a most troublesome weed.

The roots of the leopard's-bane were formerly employed in medicine, as alexipharmics and purifiers of the blood; but, on account of their violent operation, have been justly exploded.