Spigelia

Spigelia, a genus of plants of the natural order Loganiaceæ, having a calyx glandular inside, a long slender valvate corolla, long filaments, and a capsule of two cocci, splitting around at the base. S. marilandica, often called Worm Grass and Carolina Pink, is a native of the southern United States, a perennial plant with a simple quadrangular stem. The root (Pink Root) is purgative, narcotic, and poisonous, but is a powerful vermifuge, and is very commonly employed in the United States. S. anthelmia, an annual, native of tropical America, with very small purplish flowers, in spike-like racemes, possesses similar properties. The efficacy of both is, however, impaired by keeping; and they are apt to produce unpleasant symptoms when used as medicines. Other species are also known as poisons.