ipom[oe]a purga

2 definitions found

ipom[oe]a purga - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Ipomoeic \Ip`o*m[oe]"ic\ ([i^]p`[-o]*m[=e]"[i^]k), a. (Chem.)
     Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained by the
     oxidation of convolvulin (obtained from jalap, the tubers of
     Ipom[oe]a purga), and identical in most of its properties
     with sebacic acid.
     [1913 Webster]

  Jalap \Jal"ap\, n. [F., fr. Sp. jalapa; -- so called from
     Jalapa, a town in Mexico, whence it was first obtained.]
     (Med.)
     The tubers of the Mexican plant Ipom[oe]a purga (or
     Exogonium purga) of the family Convolvulaceae, a climber
     much like the morning-glory. The abstract, extract, and
     powder, prepared from the tubers, are well known purgative
     (cathartic) medicines, and are also called jalap. Other
     species of Ipom[oe]a yield several inferior kinds of jalap,
     as the Ipom[oe]a Orizabensis, and Ipom[oe]a tuberosa.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     False jalap, the root of Mirabilis Jalapa, four-o'clock,
        or marvel of Peru.
        [1913 Webster]