thelygonum

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of plants, formerly known as Cynocrambe, constituting the tribe Thelygoneæ in the order Urticaceæ. It is characterized by numerous straight anthers and an erect ovule. T. Cynocrambe (Cynocrambe prostrata), the only species, known as dogs-cabbage, is found throughout the Mediterranean region, where it is used like spinach. It is a procumbent fleshy branching annual, with ovate entire leaves and small axillary flowers, and has somewhat purgative properties.