SG Heritage Dictionary

Hermodactyl [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. In the Materia Medic, a root brought from Turkey. It is in the shape of a heart flatted, of a white color, compact, but easy to be cut or pulverized, of a viscous sweetish taste, with a slight degree of acrimony. Some suppose it to be the root of the

2. Colchicum variegatum; others, the root of the Iris tuberosa. It was anciently in great repute as a cathartic; but that which is now furnished has little or no cathartic quality.

Hermodactyl [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

A heart-shaped bulbous root, about the size of a finger, brought from Turkey, formerly used as a cathartic.