peonia

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In Spanish America, a land-measure, not now used and not well defined in extent. Originally it comprised the land given to a foot-soldier in a conquered country—supposed to be as much as could be cultivated by one man.
2. n. In Spanish-American countries, a small bright-colored seed of several plants, especially of Abrus Abrus, Dolicholus phaseoloides, and Erythrina coralloides, often used for playing games of chance, such as draughts. See colorin.
3. n. In Mexico, a name applied to several plants with tuberous roots, especially to two composites, Perezia runcinata and Zexmenia podocephala, because of the resemblance of their roots to those of Pæonia officinalis. Perezia runcinata, which occurs in the southern United States and northern Mexico, is reputed to be a specific for epilepsy, and is sold in the drug markets of several Mexican cities. This virtue was attributed by the ancients to Pæonia officinalis, a plant used medicinally in Greece four centuries before the Christian era, and celebrated by Galen as a remedy for epilepsy and lunacy.