Hybanthus

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Hybanthus (family Violaceae) A genus of perennial, often creeping, herbs and shrubs, whose leaves are alternate or in clusters, occasionally opposite, sessile, or with a short petiole, and entire or slightly toothed, with or without stipules. The flowers are held in axillary racemes or cymes, or are solitary. They are irregular and bisexual. The sepals are of similar length, the petals irregular, with a broad, spurred, and clawed lower lobe. The stamens are often attached to the corolla. The fruit is a dehiscent capsule. There are about 150 species, found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, often in mountainous areas. The roots of H. calceolaria yield a drug, white ipecacuanha, and are used as an emetic.

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