LANDSCAPE
ARCH.
LIBRARY

AMERICAN

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS:

BEING A

OP

AGRICULTURAL BOTANY:

ENUMERATION AND DESCRIPTION OP USEFUL PLANTS AND WEEDS, WHICH

MERIT THE NOTICE, OR REQUIRE THE ATTENTION OP

AMERICAN AGRICULTURISTS.

BY WILLIAM DARLINGTON, M. D.

Hie Segetes, illic yeuiunt felicius Uvae :
Arborei fetus alibi, atque iujussa virescunt
Gramina. VIRGIL, GEORG. 1.

Here golden harvests wave, there Vineyards glow,
Fruit bends the bough, or Herbs unbidden grow.

SOTIIEBY.

REVISED, WITH ADDITIONS, BY

GEORGE THURBER,

PROF. OF MAT. MED. AND BOTANY, ETC., IN THE N. Y. COLLEGE OF PHARMACY.

NEW YORK:
A. 0. MOORE & COMPANY,

AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHERS,

No. 140 FULTON STREET.

1859.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in^the year 1859, by

A. 0. MOORE & CO.
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York.

STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY

EDWARD O. JENKINS,
No. 26 FRANKFORT STREET, NEW YORK.

TO THE YOUNG FARMERS

©f tf)f Bnitrfc States,
THIS HUMBLE ATTEMPT

TO AID AND PEB8TTADK THEM

TO CULTIVATE A DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE

ESSENTIAL TO AN ENLIGHTENED AGRICULTURE,
AND

INDISPENSABLE TO AN ACCOMPLISHED YEOMANRY,

$s respetiMlg tobkateb bg

THE AUTHOR.

667764

CONTENTS.

PAGE

DEDICATION, iii

EDITOR'S PREFACE, ...... vii

PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION, ix

REMARKS ON WEEDS, xiii

STRUCTURAL BOTANY, 1

ANALYTICAL KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS, . . 16
BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION :

POLYPETALOUS EXOGENS, .... 25

MONOPETALOUS " ..... 160

APETALOUS " 268

GYMNOSPERMOUS " . . . • • • 333

ENDOGENS, . . . • • • 344

GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS, . . . .415

ABBREVIATIONS OF AUTHORS' NAMES, . . 434

INDEX OF BOTANICAL NAMES, . . .436

INDEX OF ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NAMES, . . 442

NAMES OF THE PLANTS ILLUSTRATED, . .459

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

A new edition of Doct. DARLINGTON'S Agricultural Botany having been
called for, and as the author, at his advanced age, felt indisposed to as-
sume the labor of a revision, the work was placed in my hands to pre-
pare for the press, with the author's permission to make such changes
and additions as might seem desirable. Such alterations have been made
in the botanical arrangement, and names, as the advance of the science
required, and descriptions have been added of such plants, not included
in the former edition, as are generally known as weeds. Besides these,
I have noticed the common medicinal plants, and such of our native
shrubs as are worthy of cultivation, — those that are both ornamental
and easily obtained. These latter may not strictly come within the class
of " useful," but are introduced with the hope of inducing farmers to
render the exterior of their homes more attractive by surrounding them
with beautiful shrubbery, which, once planted, will be a permanent
source of gratification not only to the possessors, but to travelers who
pass them. The yards of our country dwellings generally present a for-
lorn appearance, which the attempt often made to cultivate a few coarse
flowering plants, rather increases than removes.

In the introduction of new plants, the plan of the original work has
been conformed to, and the descriptions of these are taken from Darling-
ton's Flora Cestrica, when that work contained them ; in other cases,
those in Torrey's Flora of the State of New York, and Gray's Manual
of the Botany of the Northern States have been used.

I am exceedingly indebted to Prof. GRAY for permission to use his
Analytical Key to the Natural Orders, and have modified it, as well as
some of his Synopses of Orders and Genera, to suit the present work.
Doct. C. "VV. SHORT, of Kentucky, has kindly furnished notes on sonu of

[vii]

Vlii EDITOR'S PREFACE.

the troublesome plants of the West, which have been acknowledged in
the proper places. I am also indebted to I. A. LAP HAM, Esq., for his
offer, which came too late to be available, to furnish notes upon the
weeds of Wisconsin. The more important illustrations in the work are
from original drawings, by ANTHONY HOCHSTEIN, Esq., whose delicate
sketches have hardly justice done them by being rendered in wood. The
most of his drawings are designated by his initials. The remainder of the
engravings were obtained from the best available sources. My friend,
Mr. FRANK A. POLLARD, has rendered me most essential aid, both be-
fore and during the rapid printing of the work, which I would gratefully
acknowledge.

Where new observations or other matter has been added, or the old
ones essentially modified, a * has been appended. This, however, has
been omitted where the alterations are unimportant ; in these cases any
faults may be placed to the account of the editor.

NEW YORK, January Sist, 1859.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

AGRICULTURE, in a broad and legitimate sense, being a comprehensive
system of Natural Science — involving more especially a practical
acquaintance with the useful portion of the Vegetable Creation, —
I have long thought it due to the Profession, and desirable in every point
of view, that the young Farmers of the United States should acquire an
exact knowledge of the Plants which it immediately concerns them to
know ; and that they should be enabled to designate, and treat of them,
with the precision and methodical perspicuity which belong to scientific
' language and arrangement. Under this impression, and in the hope of
promoting an object deemed so important, the present work has been
compiled. In submitting it to those for whom it is more particularly
intended, I am not unaware that its technical features are ill-suited to
the notions of many plodding disciples of the old school of Agriculture,
who despise every form of knowledge derivable from Books, — and whose
ideas never stray beyond the manual operations of the field and the barn-
yard. It is scarcely probable, indeed, that any written treatise — though
couched in the most familiar dialect — would obviate the objections, or
conciliate the prejudices of such antiquated tillers of the soil. My
views, therefore, have not been directed to that unpromising quarter. I
address myself to the youthful and aspiring Agriculturists of our country,
who seek to elevate their noble Profession to its just rank among human
pursuits, — and who feel that the exercise of intellect, as well as of muscle,
is indispensable to the accomplishment of their purpose.

I have preferred to treat of the Plants, which it more immediately
behooves the farmer to be acquainted with, according to the most approved
method of our day, and in the language of Systematic Botany. By
exhibiting as much of the classification, or frame-work of the Science,
as is requisite to present the Genera and Species, here described, in
their natural and relative positions, the Student will be enabled to com-
prehend their connection with the other portions of the System, and to
examine them, as the Geologists say, in situ. In that process, he will
necessarily have to learn something of their structure, and essential
character ; and that I should consider as an important advantage, — even
if his researches should there terminate. His knowledge, however lim-
ited, will be established on a correct basis, — and will be always avail-
able in his intercourse with men of science : but, to those who may
subsequently resolve upon a more extended acquaintance with the vege-
table kingdom, such knowledge will be a clear gain, and a valuable pre-
fix)

X PKEFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

liminary step ; — that step which, according to the proverb, is the only
one which costs.

In adopting the machinery of Science, — preferring the botanical to
the popular names of plants, as well as arranging them in kindred groups
— I have supposed that such a plan would be most conducive to accuracy
of conception, — and would, in fact, facilitate the investigation of their
true character. By employing names and phrases which have an exclu-
sive application, and a definite meaning, the study of plants is rea'ly
simplified ; and the knowledge acquired — being thereby communicable
. with more readiness and precision — is greatly enhanced in practical
value. By using, overywhere, the same terms in the same sense, men of
different regions, or districts, can be sure that they comprehend each
other's meaning, — and may then discuss questions understand ingly. When
disputes arise, touching the merits or demerits of particular plants, both
parties will have clear conceptions of the objects referred to, — and will
consequently have the ad vantage of knowing exactly what they are talk-
ing about : — which is far from being always the case when they make
use of a variable popular nomenclature.

It is a great mistake, in my opinion, to suppose that the significant
language of our Science must necessarily be merged in the vernacular
idiom, or degraded into a local patois, in order to adapt it to the capaci-
ties of intelligent practical men. An active intellect, I think, more
readily acquires new terms, appropriate to a Science, than new meanings
of old familiar words : and hence it is that most persons, as they advance
in any department of knowledge, are apt to discard all equivocal terms,
and to substitute those which are definite, technical, and peculiar. In-
stead, therefore, of writing clown to the level of boorish apprehension, I
would rather see Agricultural works gradually written up to the scien-
tific standard. I would have our young Farmers taught to appreciate
the importance of scientific precision, and incited to take their appro-
priate position in the intellectual community.

In the present work, it is hoped and believed that with the aid of
the copious Glossary, the Index of Common Names, and the other
facilities annexed, there can be no difficulty in becoming familiar
with the terms employed, nor in the investigation of the plants enumer-
ated:* and the farmer who shall have accomplished that much, will
find that he has obtained many new and interesting views of objects
intimately connected with his Profession, — that he has acquired a capac-
ity for observing and profiting by numerous processes and phenomena

* As a convenient and satisfactory mode of acquiring the requisite Botanical knowledge
— and of keeping that knowledge always within reach, in case of forgotfulness, — I would
recommend to the young Farmer the formation of a select Herbarium, containing authen-
tic specimens — neatly prepared and appropriately labelled — of those plants which it is
his interest to be acquainted with. Such a collection could readily be obtained by every
one who has the taste, or even the curiosity, to extend his information in that direction.
It would afford instructive subjects for investigation and comparison, in seasons of leisure;
and the contents, being duly arranged, could be examined or referred to, with the like
facilities and advantages as attend the consultation of a Dictionary.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. XI

in the vegetable economy, which had theretofore been unheeded, or im-
perfectly understood. A spirit of research will often be awakened,
which, in itself, is an unfailing source of gratification to ingenuous
minds, — and not unfrequently leads to important practical results.

The study of BOTANY, in its widest sense — comprising, as it does, the
entire vegetable creation, — will ever have its select votaries in those
who can appreciate its manifold charms, and find their reward in the
pleasures incident to the pursuit : But when regarded in a more limited
and practical point of view, it may fairly challenge the attention even
of the most inveterate Utilitarians. There are three aspects, or relations
of the Science, in which its importance will scarcely be denied by the
most penurious calculator of economical values : namely, 1. Agricultural
Botany, — 2. Medical Botany, — and 3. Artistical Botany, or the history
of those plants which are employed, or afford materials, in the processes
of the Arts and Manufactures. The Medical branch of the science has
been often treated of, with something like system, by the Professional
Writers of Europe and America. The other two divisions less fre-
quently, and with less method, in various Agricultural Journals, Cyclo-
paedias, and Mercantile Dictionaries. The attempt here made is an essay
on the A gricultural branch, — or a systematic description of those Plants
(both useful and pernicious) which more immediately interest American
Farmers — especially those in the Middle States of this Confederacy.
The Botany of the Arts, whenever undertaken, will afford a highly inter-
esting theme for some future laborer in this elegant department of Nat-
ural History.

In compiling this Farmer's Flora, I found it somewhat difficult to
determine, satisfactorily, the line of demarcation between the Plants
entitled to a place in it, and those which might properly be omitted. It
may, perhaps, be thought by some, that the list is unnecessarily large, —
while others may be of opinion that there are species left out which
ought to have been inserted. My aim has been, — not, certainly, to
describe all the plants which an accomplished Agriculturist might very
properly desire to know ; but — to include those only (whether in the
wood-lands, the fields, or the kitchen-garden,) of which no intelligent
Farmer would willingly be ignorant. When he shall have made him-
self familiar with these, he can extend his acquaintance with the Vege-
table Tribes, at pleasure, by having recourse to more general and com-
prehensive works ; such, for example, as the Flora of North America,
by TORREY and GRAY, — or Prof. DE CANDOLLE'S Prodromus of a Nat-
ural System, comprising all the known forms of vegetation upon this
terraqueous globe.

In my humble opinion, no Education can be deemed sufficient without
some acquaintance with the rudiments, or first principles, of Botanical
Science — some rational knowledge of the vast and multiform creation
around us, known as the Vegetable Kingdom. I consider such knowl-
edge just as indispensable to a rightly instructed people, as any of the
usual elementary branches of school learning. By this, however, I do

XU PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

not mean the smattering of a few obsolete terms, unconnected with any
available ideas — which, in too many instances, passes under the impos-
ing name of " BOTANY" : but I do mean, that thorough conception of
the general nature and relations of Plants, which may be acquired by
the aid of such works as the Botanical Text-Book of Prof. A. GRAY.
In all other employments, it is very properly expected that a workman
shall not only be expert in the manipulations of his art, but shall also
be well acquainted with the nature of his materials : and I can perceive
no good reason why it is not equally incumbent on a practical farmer
to understand the true character of those plants, which it is his especial
interest either to cultivate or to extirpate.

If our American youths who are being educated with a view to
Agricultural pursuits, were thoroughly instructed in the admirable Text-
Book, above referred to, — and were then required to -make themselves
botanically acquainted with that portion of the vegetable kingdom
which annually demands their attention, on the farm, — the Profession
would speedily assume a new and engaging aspect. The labors of the field
would be blended with the contemplation of facts and phenomena of the
deepest interest to inquiring minds, — and Agriculture — instead of being
shunned, as an irksome drudgery— would be justly esteemed as one of
the noblest employments of a free and intellectual people.

If the present Essay may in any degree tend to promote that auspi-
cious result, the Author will derive a sincere gratification from the
belief, that the the time and attention devoted to its preparation have
not been wholly misapplied.

WEST CHESTER, PENNA.,
June, 1847.

WEEDS.

In popular language, any homely plant which is not noticeable for the
beauty of its flowers, nor entitled to respect by a reputation for medic-
inal or other useful qualities, is designated by the epithet weed. In an
agricultural sense, the term is used with a more restricted meaning, and
is applied to those intrusive and unwelcome individuals that will persist
in growing where they are not wanted, — in short, the best definition that
has yet been given of a weed is the old one, " a plant out of place."
Most of the weeds troublesome in our agriculture are immigrants, either
from the Old World, or the warmer portions of this continent. The num-
ber of plants indigenous to our country, that are entitled to rank as per-
nicious weeds, is comparatively small. As the aborigines disappeared
with the advance of the whites, so do the native plants generally yield
their possession as cultivation extends, and the majority of the plants to
be met with along the lanes and streets of villages, and upon farms, are
naturalized strangers, who appear to be quite at home, and are with
difficulty to be persuaded or driven away.

The labors of the agriculturist are a constant struggle ; on the one
Land, by presenting the most favorable conditions possible, he endeavors
to make certain plants grow and produce to their utmost capacity ; and
on the other hand, he has to prevent the growth of certain other plants
that are ready to avail themselves of these favorable conditions. The
farmer is interested in two points concerning weeds : how they get into
his grounds, and how to get them out. As cultivation is all the more
profitably carried on if the farmer knows something of the nature and
character of the plants he would raise, so, if he would successfully
operate in the other direction, and stop plants from growing, he can do
so all the better if he knows what are the peculiar habits of the in.
dividuals with which he has to contend, — and it is quite as important

[xm]

XIV WEEDS.

to be familiar with the manner of growth, and the mode of propagation
of a weed, as it is to be with that of an useful plant. A plant that
spreads itself entirely by the seed must, of course, be differently treated
from one that multiplies by the root also, whether we would propagate
or destroy.

A sound constitution, established by a proper regard to the conditions of
health, is not only the best preventive to the attacks of disease, but much
faciltates recovery, if this be contracted ; in like manner thorough culture
and good farming ensures a sort of general exemption from the pesti-
lence of weeds, and renders easy the subjugation of those which happen
to make their way into the grounds. In agriculture as in morals, idleness
is the mother of vice, and if the ground be not occupied with something
good, there will be a plenty of the opposite character to take its place.
Possession is a great advantage in other matters than those of the law,
and a plant, whether useful or troublesome, when once fully established
is not disposed to yield without an argument. " That learned and saga-
cious observer of Nature — the late professor DE CANDOLLE — remarks,
that ' all the plants of a country, all those of any given place, are in a
state of war, in relation to each other. All are endowed with means,
more or less efficacious, of reproduction and nutrition. Those which first
establish themselves accidentally, in a given locality, have a tendency
from the mere fact that they already occupy the space, to exclude other
species from it : the largest ones smother the smallest ones ; the longest
lived ones supersede those of shorter duration ; the most fruitful gradu-
ally take possession of the space which would otherwise have been occu-
pied by those which multiply more slowly.' The farmer, therefore, should
avail himself of this principle, and aid the more valuable plants in their
struggle to choke down or expel the worthless." (Ed. 1.)

Weeds are introduced upon a farm in a variety of ways. Many have
their seeds sown with those of the crops ; this is particularly the case
where the seeds of the weeds and of the grain are so nearly alike in size
that their separation is difficult. Proper care in procuring and preserv-
ing clean seed will often save much future trouble and vexation. The
observing farmer will notice the means which nature has provided for the
scattering of seeds, and he will find that the most pernicious weeds seem
to have been especially furnished with contrivances to facilitate their
dispersion. The Clot-bur, Beggar's Lice, and others, have barbs or

WEEDS. XV

hooks by which they adhere to clothing and the coats of animals, and
are widely distributed by this agency. All of the Thistles, and many
others of the same family, have a tuft of fine silky hair attached to the
seed, or more properly fruit, by which they are buoyed upon the air, and
wafted from place to place. So numerous are the ways by which seeds
arc dispersed, that, however careful a farmer may be upon his own prem-
ises, a slovenly and neglectful neighbor may cause him infinite annoyance
by furnishing his lands with an abundant supply. In some European
countries a farmer may sue his neighbor for neglecting to destroy the
weeds upon his lands, or may employ people to do it at the delinquent's
expense.

The vitality of seeds, particularly if buried in the earth below the
reach of the influences which cause germination, in some cases endures
through many years ; hence, an old field, after deep plowing, has often a
fine crop of weeds from the seeds thus brought to the surface. "Weeds
that have been cut or pulled after they have flowered, should not be
thrown into the barnyard or hog-stye, unless the farmer wishes to have
the work to do over again with their progeny, as the seeds will be thor-
oughly distributed in the manuring of the land. In England they dry
the pernicious weeds and burn them, not only destroying root and branch,
but seed also. In all weeding, it is of the greatest importance that it
should be done before the plants have formed seed. This should be re-
garded equally with annual and perennial weeds. The prolific character
of some weeds is astonishing ; each head of an Ox-eye Daisy or White-
weed is not a simple flower, but a collection of a great many flowers,
each of which produces a seed ; and, as a single plant bears a great
many heads, the number of seeds that a single individual is capable of
supplying in a season amounts to several hundreds. In weeds, evil should
be, emphatically, nipped in the bud. In this respect, the farmer should
act in the spirit of the Western savages who kill the women and chil-
dren of their enemies, as a tolerably sure way of preventing the multi-
plication of warriors. Annual weeds are much more readily kept in
subjection than the perennial ones, which, especially those which multiply
extensively by their underground stems or roots, often become truly formid-
able. Here not only has the propagation by seeds to be prevented, but a
subterranean and hidden enemy has to be combatted. It is very impor-
tant that the agriculturist should understand the way in which these

XVI WEEDS.

plants grow, that he may know how to direct his efforts to subdue them.
A perennial weed, like the Canada Thistle or Couch Grass, is, during the
early stage of its existence, easily destroyed ; but later in the season it
makes strong underground stems, or roots, as. they are commonly but in-
correctly called, which have great tenacity of life, and which have within
them an accumulation of nourishment which enables them to throw up
several successive crops of herbage ; plowing such weeds generally ag-
gravates the trouble, for, unless every fragment be removed from the
ground, a thing very difficult to accomplish, each piece that is left makes
a separate plant. In the case of weeds of this description, the necessity
of early eradicating them is apparent, for if once well established, and
an underground provision depot formed, the farmer and the plant are
placed in the condition of beseiging and beseiged forces — as long as the
provisions hold out the latter can maintain its ground. It becomes a
question of endurance, for the underground supply must be eventually
exhausted in the attempt to produce new stems and leaves, and if the
farmer, by persistently cutting these away, prevents any new accession
to the stock of provision, the enemy must at length succumb. Often re-
peated cuttings will at length exhaust the underground portion of its vi-
tality. In some cases salt has been used with success, especially upon
Thistles, applied immediately after mowing. The farmer will do well to
keep in mind two rules. Do not let weeds flower, and do not let them
breathe, for the leaves may be considered the lungs of the plant, and
without the aid of these it cannot long maintain itself.

THE STRUCTURE OF PLANTS.

THIS chapter has been prepared for the purpose of giving those who use
this work, some general notions upon the structure of plants. From
the limited space allowed, the principal facts can only be stated, and
those very briefly. Those who desire to be more fully informed upon
this subject, are referred to the admirable works of Prof. GRAY. His
progressive series, " How Plants Grow," " Lessons in Botany," and
" Botanical Text-Book," — the first for children, the second a compre-
hensive popular work, and the last an extended treatise, — are all that
can be desired in the way of popular and at the same time thoroughly
scientific elementary works.

1. The material world is divided into Unorganized (or Inorganic)
substances, and Organized (or Organic) beings. The mineral substances
of the earth and air and water belong to the first, and plants and
animals to the second of these divisions. Unorganized substances have
neither life nor growth, and are without parts or organs adapted to
special offices. Organized beings have life and growth ; they start from
a simple germ, and go through progressive stages of developement ; they
are furnished with parts or organs which have particular functions to
perform, either in promoting the growth of the individual or in per-
petuating its kind.

2. Organized beings are of two kinds, Vegetables and Animals. A
vegetable or plant may be defined as a being which converts the unor-
ganized matter (contained in the air, water and the earth) into organized
material which is either directly or indirectly the food of animals.
Animals have not the power of appropriating unorganized substances,
but live upon the food furnished by plants, for the reception of which,
they are provided with an internal cavity or stomach. Plants are pro-
ducers of food, while animals are consumers of food.

3. The study of plants in all that relates to their growth and repro-
duction, their resemblance to and difference from one another in the
structure and arrangement of their parts, their distribution over the
earth's surface, and whatever relates to the history of a plant, constitutes
the science of Botany. The science is divided into several departments ;
that which treats of the nature and functions of the different parts or
organs is Structural Botany — that branch of the science of which we
wish to give a brief outline in the following page5;.

4. All plants fall into two great series : 1st, those which have manifest
flowers and are reproduced by seeds, — Flowering or Phcenogamous
plants ; 2d, those which have no flowers and no proper seeds, but are

1 [11

2 t* ; INTRODUCTORY.

reproduced r by minute, dust-!iko grains called spores, — Flowerless or
:Grypt(?g:a2r)vi>'s pt^iis. .A^cryp'togamous plants do not often appear as
^weeds' and J as 'their fetricfy is rather difficult, they are left out of con-
sideration in the present work.

5. Flowering plants have two kinds of organs ; those parts which are
concerned in sustaining the life and growth of the plant, — Organs of
Vegetation ; and those which provide for its perpetuation by means of
seed, — Organs of Reproduction.

6. The organs of vegetation are three, viz. : BOOT, STEM, and LEAF.
These the plant has at a very early stage of its existence. If a young
seedling plant, as a Radish, Bean or Pumpkin be taken from the ground
as soon as it has " come up," it will be found to consist of a short stem
with a pair of leaves at the top and a root at the bottom of it. By
soaking the seeds until the seed-coat is softened, and then carefully
breaking it open, the young plant will be found within, though in a
much less developed state. The seed always contains within it the
young plant, more or less developed, either lying straight in the seed or
variously coiled or folded up ; this is called the Embryo. By the influ-
ence of the warmth and moisture of the earth, the embryo bursts the
skin of the seed and begins to grow. The sprouting of the embryo is
called germination. The parts of the embryo are ; 1st, the little stem,
called the Radicle ; and 2d, the leaves which in the Radish, Bean, &c. , first
appear above ground and are usually called Seed-leaves, these are the
Cotyledons ; between them there is a little bud (which is not always to
be seen in the embryo, but appears soon after it begins to grow), the
Plumule. In germination the radicle elongates, the" lower end — what-
ever the position the seed may be placed in — pushes itself downward
into the earth, and its upper end bearing the seed-leaves is raised to the
light and air. That portion of the radicle which goes downward forms
the Root or Descending Axis, that which rises above the surface of the
earth is the Stem or Ascending Axis.

In the instances quoted as illustrations (Radish, Bean and Pumpkin),
the embryo is large and fills the whole seed ; the seed-leaves, in the Bean
especially, are thickened and rounded from being filled with a supply of
food which nourishes the young plant until it can form roots and draw
sustenance from the soil. In many seeds, as the Pea, Acorn, &c., the
cotyledons are very much distended and do not rise to the surface, but
only open far enough to allow the radicle to protrude.

7. In many seeds the embryo, instead of containing the food for its
early growth within its cotyledons, has a more or less abundant supply
surrounding it, called Albumen. The embryo is placed sometimes in the
centre of the albumen — or at one side, or sometimes coiled in a more or
less complete ring around it. Seeds which contain albumen are said to
be albuminous, those having none, exalbuminous. The albumen may be
large in proportion to the embryo, or very sparing ; its texture varies,
being farinaceous or mealy (as in Buckwheat), horny or corneous (like
that of Coffee), oily (as in the Poppy), or mucilaginous.

8. In the examples given, the embryo has in each case two cotyledons ;

THE STRUCTURE OF PLANTS. 3

plants having embryos of this kind are termed Dicotyledonous (i. e.
having two cotyledons or seed-leaves). There are many plants in which
the embryo has but one cotyledon ; this is the case with Wheat, Indian
Corn, the Onion, Lily, &c. ; such plants are Monocotyledonous (i. e.
having one cotyledon). This is an important distinction, and divides
all our flowering plants into two great classes — Dicotyledonous and
Monocotyledonous plants — which are further distinguished by impor-
tant differences in their stem, leaves, and flowers. In the Fine Family,
the embryo has several cotyledons in a whorl — Poly cot yledonous,
(Fig. 238).

9. The ROOT or Descending Axis, is that portion of the radicle which
grows downwards, fixing the plant to the soil ; its office is to absorb
nourishment from the earth, and to this end it is provided with an
extended surface by being generally subdivided into branches and sup-
plied with multitudes of delicate fibres or root-hairs. The root of a
plant, which springs from the seed, makes its growth and produces
flowers and seed all in one year, is called annual. When the plant re-
quires two years to complete its career, it is biennial ; and when it lives
through a number of years, it is perennial.

10. The various forms which roots present, are produced either by the
branching of the principal root, or by the enlargement of it and that of its
branches. Where the main root continues distinct and unbranching, or
sends off only occasional branches, a tap-root is formed ; ordinarily, how-
ever, the main root is lost in its numerous branches, or many roots
start from the lower end of the radicle, and we have a cluster of roots.
Annual roots are very much divided into numerous thread-like branches ;
such are termed fibrous roots. In biennial plants, the first year is occu-
pied in storing up nourishment to be expended in producing flowers and
seed in the following year ; this is frequently deposited in the root, hence
the roots of biennials are usually thick and fleshy. If such roots taper
regularly downwards (as in the Parsnip and Carrot), they are conical.
If they taper both upwards and downwards (the Long Radish, for
example), we have a spindle-shaped or fusiform root. When much en-
larged laterally, so as to be broader than long, the root is turnip-shaped
or napiform. In these forms the branches are small and hair-like. In
some perennial roots, those where the stem dies down annually, there is
often an accumulation of nourishment and the roots become tuberous, as
in the Sweet Potato.

11. Under favorable circumstances, roots may spring from any por-
tion of the stem and branches. When a branch lies along the earth, or
when a cutting is placed in the soil, roots are given out ; these are
termed secondary roots. Some stems throw out roots even at a great
distance from the earth (aerial roots), which serve in some cases only as
supports to the stems of climbing plants, adhering to rocks, the trunks
of trees and other objects, as in the Ivy and Poison Oak, — or they at
length reach the earth and help sustain the plant, as in the Indian Corn,
which often throws out roots from the lower part of the stem, at some
distance from the surface of the earth. In Parasites (those plants which

4 INTRODUCTORY.

feed upon the juices of other plants), the roots adhere to or penetrate
the plants upon which they feed, either above-ground, as the Mistletoe
and Dodder, or they attach themselves to their roots beneath the surface,
as in the various root-parasites. Boots branch without any regular order,
and very seldom produce buds, in which they differ from the

12. STEM OR ASCENDING Axis, As the elongation of the radicle
lifts the cotyledons of the bean, &c., above the surface of the earth, so
in turn the plumule or little bud is lifted up ; its leaves, or leaf, as the
case may be, expand, another bud is produced, and thus the process goes
on, and the plant increases in length by the development of a succes-
sion of leaves separated by a greater or less length of stem. The point
on the stem from which a leaf, or leaves, arise is termed a Node (or knot)
and the spaces between the nodes are Internodes (or joints). A stem is
made up of leaf-bearing internodes and terminated by a bud, which is a
collection of very short internodes with their undeveloped leaves. The
nature of the bud is seen in a marked manner in some trees in which
the whole of the next season's growth may be seen in miniature, just as
the first internode of the plant is found in the seed.

13. A stem which continues to develope from the apex only, remains
simple ; but commonly the stem branches. Branches proceed from buds
which with few exceptions, appear on the stem in the angle formed by
its union with the leaf (the axil). The position of the branches is deter-
mined by that of the leaves, and did all the buds develope, the form of
the plant would be regular. Sometimes buds appear out of their usual
place, (the axils of the leaves) and as roots may develope from any part
of the stem, so under some circumstances may buds. Such buds are
termed adventitious ; they may even appear on the root, which does not
ordinarily produce buds. Where more than one bud appears in an axil,
the additional ones are called accessory ; and where, as is sometimes the
case, buds appear above the axil, they are extra-axillary. When the
stem continues to elongate by the terminal bud and the main trunk is
kept distinct, as in the Fir Trees, the stem is excurrent ; but it is usual-
ly lost in the branches, when it is deliquescent.

14. If a stem of a plant dies down at the end of the season, it is an
Herb. Herbs, according to the duration of their roots, may be annual,
biennial or perennial (9) ; where the stem becomes woody it is, according
to its size, a Shrub or Tree. Under-shrubs are woody plants with stems
rising but little above the surface of the ground. If the stem is only
woody near the base it is suffruticose; or when but little woody, suff rules-
cent. Shrubs and Trees differ only in size ; those under 15 or 20 feet
high and branching irom near the ground are called shrubs. The
jointed stem of grasses is called a Culm.

15. The various modifications of the stem and branches have received
distinguishing names, of which the most used are given here. When the
stem is too weak to stand erect but bends over, it is declined; if it partly
lies on the ground, it is decumbent ; or if it lies entirely upon the ground,
prostrate or procumbent. If it clings to objects by means of tendrils
(16), like the Grape vine, or by aerial roots (11), like the Ivy, it is

THE STRUCTURE OF PLANTS. 5

climbing or scandent. If is winds around other objects like the Bean
and Hop, it is voluble or twining.

16. Branches which arise from the main stem, below the surface of
the earth, are called suckers.

If a branch bends over so as to reach the ground and there takes root,
a stolon is formed, which sends up branches of its own, and by the di-
vision or the dying away of the connecting portion, becomes an inde-
pendent plant. Plants multiplying in this way are stoloniferous. A long
slender thread-like branch which strikes root at its extremity, as in the
strawberry, is called a runner.

Spines or thorns are hardened sharp-pointed branches ; they may fre-
quently be found bearing leaves, especially in their young state, which
shows their true character. Sometimes the thorns are branched, as
those of the Honey Locust.

A tendril is a weak, leafless branch, capable of coiling around objects
to support climbing plants (Fig. 95). Some tendrils, however, belong
to the leaf (26).

17. Besides the aerial form of the stem and branches, there are sev-
eral subterranean ones which are often mistaken for roots, but are to be
distinguished from them by having nodes, producing regular buds, and
often having rudiments of leaves (11). The Root-stock or Rhizoma is an
under-ground stem, advancing by its terminal bud and throwing off
roots from each node or from the whole surface ; the Couch- or Quitch-
grass furnishes a good illustration of one form of rhizoma ; it often be-
comes fleshy, as in the Sweet Flag and Bloodroot.

18. Where an underground stem thickens at the apex, a Tuber is
formed, as is the case in the Jerusalem Artichoke and Potato. Though
popularly considered as a root, the potato is a short thick under-ground
stem, having scars which are the rudiments or representatives of leaves,
and the " eyes " are buds in their axils. A Corm or solid bulb is a more
or less globular subterranean stem, as that of the Indian Turnip. A
bulb is a very much shortened stem, covered with scales, which are the
thickened bases of former leaves. The White Lily has the scales sepa-
rate, and affords an example of the Scaly bulb, while in the Onion the
scales surround one another and form a Tunicated or Coated bulb. The
stem is here often reduced to a mere plate, from the lower surface of
which proceed the roots, and from the upper the scales. Bulblets are
small bulbs produced above ground ; the Spotted Lily of the gardens
bears these in the axils of the leaves, and in the Wild Leek, or Garlic,
they appear in the place of flowers.

19. The internal structure of the stem presents two marked varieties.
In dicotyledonous plants, the woody portion occupies a ring between the
pith and bark, and in stsms of this kind which last from year to year,
they increase by an annual deposition of wood outside of that of the
previous year ; such plants are termed Exogenous or Exogens, (meaning
outside growers). The stem of a mouocotyledonous plant presents no
such distinction into pith, wood and bark, but the wood is in threads or
fibres, distributed irregularly throughout the pith, as is seen in cutting

6 INTRODUCTORY.

across a stalk of Indian Corn ; these stems are called Endogenous or
JEndogens, (inside growers). The terms Dicotyledonous and Exogenous
are used synonymously, as are Monocotyledonous and Endogenous.

20. THE LEAF. It is in the leaf that the important work of trans-
forming the crude sap, which is taken up by the roots, into organized
material fit to enter into the growth of the plant, is performed. In this
process the agency of sunlight is required and a free exposure to the air,
hence the leaves are so made and so disposed upon the stem as to present
the greatest possible surface to these influences. A leaf, having all its
parts, consists of an expanded portion, (the Blade, Lamina, or Limb,} a
stalk by which it is attached to the stem, (the Petiole or Leaf-stalk,} and
a pair of appendages at the base of the leat-stalk, called Stipules. The
petiole and stipules may one or both be absent, the essential portion
being the blade. Leaves having a petiole are said to be petioled or pe-
tiolate ; without a petiole they are sessile. Where the blade joins the
petiole, or, if this be absent, the stem, is its base ; the opposite ends are
the apex, and the sides are the margins.

21. The blade of the leaf consists of a green pulpy substance through
which runs a framework of fibres to give it strength ; these, as they are
large or small, are called Ribs or Veins, and the mode in which they are
distributed is termed venation. There are two principal kinds of vena-
tion : 1st, where the veins run mostly parallel, and do not branch nor
form a network ; these are parallel-veined (sometimes called nerved}
leaves, and are mostly to be found in endogenous plants (19) ; 2d, where
the veins form a sort of network through the pulpy portion ; the leaf is
then said to be netted- or reticulately-vemcd. This kind of veining has
two forms : 1st, where a strong rib, (the midrib}, runs from the base to
the apex of the leaf, from which lateral veins branch off, like the plume
upon a feather ; this is called feather-veined, or penni-nerved (Fig. 66) ;
2d, where several strong ribs start from the 'base and spread like rays
from the centre ; here we have a radiately-veined leaf (Fig. 68) ; these,
from their resemblance to a web-foot, are also called palmately-veined.

22. Feather- veined leaves are usually longer than broad, while in the
radiately-veined the form approaches the circular. The general outline
of leaves, as well as that of other flat portions of plants, is described by
a variety of terms. A very narrow leaf with two parallel margins is

linear, as the leaves of most grasses (Fig. 260) ; when the blade tapers
upwards or to each end, and is several times longer than broad, it is lan-
ceolate (Fig. 179) ; when broader in proportion, oblong ; if both ends are
rounded and of equal width, elliptical ; when having the form of a hen's
egg cut lengthwise, with the broad end down, it is ovate ; when nearly
round, orbicular (Fig. 44). If the leaf tapers towards the base instead
of towards the apex, it is oblanceolate and obovate, the reverse of lanceo-
late and ovate. If rounded above and long and narrow below, it is
spatulate, and cuneate when shaped like a wedge.

23. When the two sides of the base are prolonged and rounded, the
leaf is said to be cordate or heart-shaped (Fig. 171) ; if such a leaf be
much broader than long, it is kidney-shaped or reniform. If the pro-

THE STRUCTURE OF PLANTS. 7

longed portions or lobes, instead of being round, are sharp and pointing
downwards, the leaf is arrow-shaped or sagittate (Fig. 182 and 243) ; or
if the lobes, instead of pointing downwards, are turned outwards, it is
halbert-shaped or hastate (Fig. 181) : if the lobes are rounded, it is auricu-
late or eared. When the lobes of a kidney-shaped leaf unite, and the
petiole appears to be fixed in its centre, it is called peltate or shield-
shaped.

24. Various terms are used to describe the apex or termination of
leaves and similar bodies, viz. : acute, when terminating in a sharp angle
without much tapering ; acuminate or pointed, if the apex is narrowed
into a point ; mucronate, if furnished with a small abrupt point ; obtuse,
if ending in a rounded blunt point ; truncate, when it appears as if cut
off abruptly ; refuse, if slightly indented at the apex ; notched or emargi-
nate, when decidedly indented ; and obcordate, when so much so as to be
reverse heart-shaped.

25. The margin of the leaf, when without any notches or indentations
of any kind, is entire ; when with sharp teeth pointing forwards, like the
teeth of a saw, it is serrate. If the teeth point outwards instead of to-
wards the apex, it is said to be dentate or toothed; if the teeth are
rounded, it is crenate or scalloped. If these indentations of the margin are
small in degree, then the diminutives, serrulate, denticulate and crenulate,
are employed.

A margin with a wavy outline is called repand, or if the indentations
are deeper, shallow and rounded, sinuate. When the teeth are irregular
and sharp, the leaf is said to be incised or cut. A lobed leaf has the mar-
gin deeply cut with a definite number of divisions ; if the divisions reach
nearly to the middle, it is cleft ; if nearly to the midrib, parted ; or it
quite to the midrib or base, divided. The number of these divisions is
expressed by numerals ; thus we say 2-lobed, 3-cleft, 4-parted, &c. The
division of the margin follows the distribution of the veins, and a pin-
nately-veined leaf will be pinnatelu-cleft, pinnately-parted, &c., and a pal-
mately-veined one will be palmately-lobed, palmately-divided, &c.

26. Leaves, as to the division of their margins, present every variety
from entire to so deeply cut that the division reaches the midrib. The
parts of a divided or parted leaf are called Segments or Lobes. However
much it may be divided, the leaf is considered as simple unless the parts
are jointed together, or articulated, in which case it becomes compound.
The parts of a compound leaf are called Leaflets, and the same terms are
used for them that are employed in describing leaves. Compound leaves,
like divided ones, present two principal forms : when a pinnately-veined
leaf becomes compound, it forms a pinnate leaf (Fig. 78), the leaflets
being arranged on the midrib which becomes the Common Petiole or
Rachis ; so a palmately or radiately-veined leaf becomes palmately com-
pound or digitate, bearing the leaflets at the top of^ common petiole
(Fig. 64) . When the leaflets of a pinnate leaf are* in even pairs, the.
leaf is equally- or abruptly-pinnate ; odd-pinnate, if the common petiole
terminates with a leaflet (Fig. 53). Sometimes the common petiole is
prolonged into a Tendril (Fig. 71), and the leaf aids in supporting the

8 INTRODUCTORY.

plant. When the leaflets themselves have a stalk (Petiolule) they are
petiolulate. Often the leaflets of a pinnate leaf themselves become com-
pound, when we have a doubly or twice-pinnate leaf ; this division may
be continued to produce thrice-pinnate, &c.

The number of leaflets in a compound leaf is expressed by pinnate! y
3-foliolate, 5-foliolate, &c., or palmately 3-foliolate, 5-foliolate, &c.

Very much clivided leaves, especially if irregularly so, are called de-
compound.

27. The point of attachment of the leaf to the stem is its insertion.
Those leaves which are inserted at or beneath the surface of the ground,
are called Radical- or Root-leaves ; those along the ascending stem, can-
line ; and those near the flower, Floral-leaves or Bracts.

The insertion of the leaf is in three principal ways : when two arise
from each node or joint, they are opposite (Fig. 34) ; when there are 3
or more at each joint, they are whorled or verticillate (Fig. 114) ; and
alternate, when only one is produced at each node (Fig. 24). Alternate
leaves present a great variety in their arrangement. When one is pro-
duced above another on exactly opposite sides of the stem, they are 2-
ranked. When they are so placed that each is i the circumference of
the stem from the other, we have the ^-ranked order, and so on for the
5-ranked and others. The subject of the arrangement of leaves, or Phyl-
lotaxy, as it is called, is one which presents much interest to the curious,
and will be found clearly explained in Gray's Botanical Text Book.

28. When the bases of two opposite leaves grow together, appearing
as if the stem passed through them, they are connate-perfoliate ; when a
single leaf presents this appearance by the union of the lobes of its base
beyond the stem, it is called perfoliate.

Pairs of opposite leaves crossing each other at right-angles are decus-
sate.

Where several leaves are crowded together, so as to spring apparently
from the same point, they are clustered or fascicled.

Leaves and other parts which fall soon after expanding, are fugacious
or caducous ; deciduous, when they fall at the close of the season ; per-
sistent, when they last the whole year or longer.

29. The manner in which leaves are disposed in the bud is their verna-
tion or prefoliation. When each leaf is infolded lengthwise, it is condu-
plicate ; plicate, when several times folded or plaited ; involute, when
the margins are rolled in ; revolute, when rolled backwards towards the
midrib ; convolute, when rolled up from one edge ; and circinate, when
spirally rolled from the apex downwards.

30. Stipules (20) are not always present. In the Magnolia Family
their office seems to be to protect the bud, and they fall away early ; in
other cases they remain with the leaves. When the leaflets of a com-
pound leaf have gytipular appendages, they are said to be stipellate. If
the stipules adhere by one edge to the petiole, they are adnate, as in tlio
Clover (Fig. 74), and if they unite around the stem, they form a sheath
or Ochrea, as is seen in Polygonums (Fig. 179).

31. ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION consist of the flower, fruit and seed.

THE STEUCTUEE OF PLANTS. 9

Flowers are developed from buds occupying the same position as those
which produce branches, and the botanist regards the flower as a short
branch with its leaves in a peculiar state of developement, the different
parts of the flower answering to leaves. The manner in which flowers
are arranged upon the stem is termed inflorescence.

32. The simplest form is when the stem is terminated by a flower-bud,
as in the Tulip ; as the stem grows no longer in this direction, this is
called determinate inflorescence, but it is generally the case that flowers
are thrown out from the axils of the leaves, while the stem keeps on
growing. This form, of which there are several modifications, is inde-
terminate. If the flowers arise from the axils of the leaves of the stem
which remain like those of the rest of the plant, the inflorescence is axillary
(Fig. 184) ; but more commonly, when flowers are produced, the leaves
become smaller, and the joints of the stem shorter, and some kind of a
flower cluster is formed. In this case the reduced or transformed leaves
are called Bracts, and the flower cluster receives various names according
to the form it assumes.

33. When flowers arise each from the axil of a bract upon a short
pedicel of its own, a Raceme is formed ; the main stem or axis is its
Rachis or Common Peduncle ; and the stalk of each flower, its Pedicel.
Here the lower flowers open first. If the flowers are sessile instead of
being raised upon pedicels, a Spike is produced. If the lower pedicels
of a short raceme are elongated so that all the flowers are raised up to
the same level, it forms a Corymb ; and if the internodes of the common
peduncle are at the same time shortened so that the pedicels all appa-
rently start from the same point, an Umbel (Fig. 108,) is the result, the
pedicels of which are called Rays, and the collected bracts at their base
form an Involucre. It is usually the case that the umbel becomes com-
pound and the rays themselves bear small umbels or Umbellets ; if these
have any involucres they are called Involucels. A Head is where the
flowers are closely crowded together as in the Clover (Fig. 74). In the
Composite Family, of which the common Sunflower is an example, the
apex of the stem is expanded to form a Receptacle, upon which the sepa-
rate flowers or Florets are placed ; here the bracts form an involucre
around the head and sometimes appear upon the receptacle as Chaff. A
fleshy spike like that of the Indian Turnip and Skunk Cabbage is called
a Spadix, and the hood-like involucre which sometimes surrounds it, a
Spathe. A scaly spike, like those of the willow, is called an Ament or
Catkin.

If the pedicels of a raceme are branched a Panicle is produced.

In the determinate form of inflorescence, the flowering is often con-
tinued by the production of flowering branches from the axils of the
leaves or bracts below the terminal flower ; these branches may throw
out others, and thus a Cyme is produced. In this case the central or
uppermost flower is oldest and it is thus distinguished from forms of in-
determinate inflorescence. A flower-stalk which arises from below or
near the surface of the ground is called a Scape.

34. THE FLOWER has two kinds of organs ; the flower-leaves or Floral

1*

10 INTKODUCTOKY

Envelopes, which are usually in two series ; the outer of usually green
leaves, the Calyx or Flower-cup ; and an inner and more delicate por-
tion, the Corolla ; and the Essential Organs, the parts necessary to the
production of seed, the Stamens and Pistils, which are also in two series.
The portion of the stem to which these are attached is the Receptacle.
These parts are arranged on the receptacle in a regular ascending order :
first, the calyx ; then the corolla ; within and above this, the stamens ;
and in the centre of the flower, the pistils. (Fig. 4.)

35. The calyx is generally green and leaf-like ; the pieces of which it
is composed are called Sepals.

The corolla is of a more delicate texture than the calyx and of some
other color than green ; its parts are called Petals. The broad expanded
portion of the petal answering to the blade of the leaf, is its Limb, and
the narrowed base, corresponding to the petiole, is, when present, its Claw.

36. The stamens which are to be found next within the petals have
also two parts ; a rounded or lobed body or case called the Anther ;
and the usually slender stalk which supports it, the Filament. Although
the stamen is so unlike a leaf, the botanist regards it as representing in
its anther, the blade of a leaf with its margins infolded to form a hollow
bag, and in its filament, the leaf-stalk. This would perhaps be difficult
to comprehend if there were not some plants which show a regular gra-
dation from green calyx leaves to perfect anthers. In half double roses
we can often c-ee bodies that are half petals and half anthers, showing
that they are but modifications of the same fundamental organ. As the
blade is the essential part of the leaf so is the anther that of the stamen,
and the filament may be wanting, when the anther is sessile. The anther
produces a powder, usually of a yellow color, which is discharged ordinarily
by slits in its walls or sometimes by pores at the apex (Fig. 144) or by
valves or trap doors (Fig. 16). The office of this powder, called Pollen,
is to fertilize the ovary. Anthers are usually 2-celled, sometimes 4-celled,
or one-celled by the confluence or running together of the cells, or by the
abortion or disappearance of one of them.

If the anther rests directly upon the apex of the filament it is innate ;
if the whole length of one face is applied to the filament, it is adnate ;
when it looks towards the centre of the flower, it is introrse ; when look-
ing outwards, extrorse ; it is called versatile when hung to the apex of
the filament in such a way as to swing loosely in any direction.

When the filament is prolonged between the anther-cells it is termed
the Connective.

The number of stamens is expressed by monandrous, diandrous, triaii'
drous, &c., for a flower with 1-2 and 3 stamens, &c. ; polyandrous for
many stamens : words obtained by putting the names of the classes of
Linnaeus, monandria, diandria, &c., founded on the number of stamens,
into the adjective form.

37. THE PISTIL or pistils occupy the centre of the flower ; they are
the parts which produce seeds. The pistil has three parts ; the hollow
portion below, the ovary; a more or less prolonged stalk above this, the
style, which has a variously shaped termination, the stigma. The ovary

THE STIIUCTUHE OF PLANTS. 11

and stigma being the essential portions, the style may be, and frequently
is, wanting, when the stigma is sessile. The ovary contains within it
the rudiments of seeds or Ovules, which are, after they have received the
fertilizing influence of the pollen which is communicated through the
stigma, developed into seeds. The number of pistils in a flower is ex-
pressed by prefixing the greek numerals to gynous ; a monogynom one
having one pistil ; a digynous one having two pistils, &c. For farther
in relation to the structure of the pistil, see 45.

38. The stamens and pistils being the essential parts of the flower,
one or both series of the floral envelopes may be wanting : when one of
the series is absent, it is the corolla, and the flower is then apetalous
(without petals) ; or when both are absent, the flower is naked.

A complete flower has all four series of organs present : if either of
these is lacking it is then incomplete. An incomplete flower may pro-
duce seeds, having both stamens and pistils, and as long as these are
both present, the flower is perfect. If either of these is absent, the flower
is imperfect. These organs are frequently produced in separate flowers
(Figs. 69 and 70) : when the staminate and pistillate flowers are both
borne on the same plant, they are said to be monoecious (i. e. in one
household) ; or if produced on different plants, dioecious (in two house-
holds). When some of the flowers are perfect and the others separated,
they are polygamous. Flowers having the different series of organs with
the same number of parts in each, are symmetrical ; those having the
parts in each series of the same shape, are regular ; or of different shapes,
irregular (Fig. 13).

39. The infinite variety of forms which flowers present is produced by
modifications in these four series of parts. Some parts of a set may be
wanting or much changed from the usual form, or the number of parts
may be multiplied. The different parts of a set may unite and form one
piece, or the structure may be st.ll further varied by the cohering or
growing together of the parts of two or more adjoining series.

It is very common to find the sepals of a calyx or the petals of
a corolla more or less joined by their contiguous edges so as to form a
tube. When the sepals are distinct, the calyx is polyscpalous ; and
where united, monosepalous. Where the union is only partial and the
upper portions of the sepals free, it is sometimes convenient to say that
it is cleft or parted as the case may be.

If the corolla has distinct petals, it i: polypetalous ; when these are
more or less joined, monopetalous or gamopetalous. In a monopetalous
corolla the parts are not usually united for their whole length : — the
free or expanded portion is the Limb and the narrower portion the Tube.
Among the forms of monopetalous corollas may be mentioned the follow-
ing : the funnel-shaped or infundib aliform, when the tube is narrower
below but spreads at summit (Fig. 167) ; the bell-shaped or campanu-
late, with a rounded base and open or spreading border ; tubular,
when elongated and more or less cylindrical throughout (Fig. 115) ;
salver-shaped, when the tube is very narrow and bears a broad spreading-
limb ; and wheel-shaped or rotate, with a broad limb and scarcely any

12 INTRODUCTORY.

tube (Fig. 161). When the petals are irregularly united, a 2-lipped
or labiate corolla is produced (Fig. 152).

40. The stamens and pistils are also frequently united. When sta-
mens unite by their filaments so as to form a tube, they are monadelphous,
(i. e. forming one brotherhood,) as in the Mallow Family (Fig. 45) ;
or when, as in the Pulse Family (Fig. 73), they are in two sets, they
are diadelphous, (i. e. in two brotherhoods) . The union into three or many
parcels is expressed by the terms triadelpkous and polyadelphous. In the
large Composite Family, the union takes place by the anthers, when
they are syngenesious.

41. The pistils are oftener united than otherwise, so that what ap-
pears to be a simple pistil is frequently made up of several united ones.
The union may take place by the ovaries only, the styles remaining
wholly or partly free, or it may be so complete that the real nature of
the pistil can only be discovered by cutting it across, through the united
ovaries, which will generally present as many cells or cavities as there
are simple pistils that go to make up the compound one.

42. The union or consolidation of the parts of different series fre-
quently occurs, and this often renders the structure of the flower at first
sight rather obscure. When the calyx, corolla and stamens are all free
from each other and are evidently inserted below the pistils, they are
hypogynous (i. e. under the pistil), as in Fig. 4. When calyx, corolla
and stamens cohere together, but are still free from the pistil, so that the
latter two appear to be inserted on the former, they are perigynous, (i. e.,
around the pistil,) as in the Peach and Cherry (Fig. 80). The union
often involves the ovary ; in this case, the stamens and corolla appear to
be on the calyx, it is still perigynous ; but the union is sometimes so
complete that the parts appear to be inserted directly upon the ovary,
when they are said to be epigynous ; (i. e., upon the ovary) . These
terms are not so much used as formerly, as the condition of the parts is
better expressed by saying, calyx half adherent or entirely adherent to
the ovary, as the case may be.

43. The symmetry of the flower (Fig. 38) is broken up either by the
suppression or nondevelopment of some parts of a set or by the multi-
plication of the parts : but as one or more series usually retains the nor-
mal number, there is generally but little difficulty in making out the nu-
merical plan upon which the flower is constructed. The number of
parts in a whole flower or in a set is expressed by the following terms :
binary, if in twos ; ternary., in threes ; quarternary, in fours ; quinary,
in fives. Tetramerous, pentamerous, &c., (written 4-merous, 5-merous,
&c.) are used to describe flowers with their parts in fours, fives, &c.

44. Ordinarily the parts of a symmetrical flower alternate ; that is,
the petals are placed over the interval between the sepals, the stamens
over the interval between the petals and consequently opposite the sepals,
and so on. This is to be considered the usual position, unless otherwise
stated, in the description of the plant. Exceptions, however, occur, as

•in the Buckthorn and Barberry, where the stamens are placed directly
in front of the petals.

THE STRUCTURE OF PLANTS, 13

The terms upper and lower, as applied to the parts of the flower, refer
to their position in relation to the main stem or axis. The petal or
sepal of an axillary flower, which lies next to the bract or farthest out-
ward from the stem, is lower or anterior ; the one on the opposite side
and nearest the stem is upper or superior ; and those placed right and
left of these are lateral.

45. THE PISTIL in its simplest form, a single pistil, is regarded as a
loaf with its margins folded together so as to form a closed bag or hol-
low portion, the ovary ; its prolonged apex is the style, and the upper
end of this or some portion of its margin, the stigma. A simple pistil,
composed of a single leaf, whether separate or forming a part of a com-
pound pistil, is called a Carpel; that portion where the margins of the
leaves join, is the Ventral Suture ; and the portion opposite to this cor-
responding to the midrib of the leaf, the Dorsal Suture. The Ovules
{&!) are placed at the ventral suture where the margins of the
carpellary leaf are infolded and project more or less into the cavity,
forming what is called the Placenta, to which the ovules are attached.

46. When two or more carpels unite, a Compound Pistil is formed ;
this will have as many cells or cavities as there are simple pistils or
carpels combined ; the placenta will be in the centre and the partitions or
Dissepiments which separate the cells, being formed by the union of the
contiguous sides of two carpels, will be double in fcheir nature, although
this may not be manifest (Fig. 33 represents a compound pistil of 3
carpels, cut across). Sometimes a compound pistil is but one-celled ;
either from the early disappearance of the partitions, when the placen-
tae will be left free in the centre of the ovary ; or the ovary may be
formed by the union of the contiguous edges of several carpellary leaves,
without their folding together, — the placentas in this case consist of the -
margins of two different leaves and may not project into the cavity of
the ovary — such placenta are parietal, (i. e,, on the walls). The num-
ber of carpels of which a compound ovary is composed, is frequently in-
dicated by the number of styles or stigmas. An ovary of two carpels is
dicarpellary ; one of three, tricarpellary, &c.

47. The ovules are the little rudimentary bodies which are to become
seeds : our limits do not permit us to describe their structure or to say
much about them. After they have received the fertilizing influence of
the pollen, communicated through the stigma, an embryo is developed
within them as they mature, and a seed is formed. Each ovule is placed
on a little sttilk, the Funiculm. When the ovule is straight it is called
orthotropous ; when curved or bent upon itself, campy .'otropnus ; and if
entirely inverted on its stalk so that its apex points to the placenta,
anatropous.

48. Not only does the ovule enlarge and undergo a great change, in
forming the seed, but the ovary also enlarges and is variously trans-
formed and becomes the fruit. The Fruit is the ripened ovary, (called
Pericarp or Seed-vessel,} its contents and sometimes the adhering adjacent
parts, as the calyx. In the Checkerberry (Fig. 147) and in the Quince, •
it is the enlarged and fleshy calyx which is the eatable portion of the

14 INTRODUCTORY.

fruit, while in the Strawberry, it is the large and pulpy receptacle
which is eaten.

49. In the process of maturing, the walls of the ovary assume a va-
riety of texture. If they become soft and pulpy a Berry is formed, or
if the outer portion only becomes juicy and soft while the inner part be-
comes hard and bony, a stone-fruit or Drupe is produced (Fig. 81).
When the walls become thick or papery, we have some form of a Pod,
or if bony, a Nut. The internal structure of the fruit is often different
from that of the ovary ; a several-celled ovary frequently producing a
one-celled fruit, the other cells, and often all the ovules but one, being
obliterated. It sometimes happens that more cells are present in the
fruit than were contained in the ovary ; this results from the formation
of false partitions.

50. A pod formed of a single carpel, opening at maturity by its inner
or ventral suture, is a Follicle (Fig. 7) ; if it open at both sutures and
splits into two valves or pieces, it is called a Legume, of which the Pea
and Bean are familiar examples. A pod formed by a compound ovary
is termed a Capsule ; — if this opens by regular valves it is dehiscent,
otherwise indehiscent. Dehiscence may take place either by splitting
through the partitions, when it is septicidal or through the back of each
carpel ; the latter mode is called loculicidal. That form of pod which is
peculiar to the Mustard Family is called a Silique (Fig. 23) ; this is
composed of two carpels, the two valves at ruaturity falling away from
the two parietal placentae which remain as a frame-work or Replum, —
in this the pod is two-celled by the stretching of a delicate false partition
between the two placentae. A short pod of this kind is called a Silicle
or Pouch (Fig. 27).

Some capsules open by a transverse line, the top coming off as a lid ;
such a pod is called a Pyxis and this kind of dehiscence, circumsissile.
(Fig. 42).

51. A berry is a fruit, which like the grape, is pulpy throughout ; if
the rind becomes hardened while the interior remains soft, a Gourd-fruit
or Pepo is formed. A Pome, as the Apple and Pear, is composed of
the fleshy and enlarged calyx-tube ; the carpels being the thin plates
which surround the seeds in its centre (Fig. 90). Fleshy and pulpy
fruits are of course indehiscent. An Akene or Achenium is a small dry
one-seeded fruit, often popularly called seed, as in the Crowfoot (Fig.
6) and in the Composite Family (Fig. 126 & 140). A Grain or Caryops/s
is like an akene but with the pericarp closely adherent «to the whole
surface of the seed. An Utricle is an akene with very thin walls. A
Key or Samara is a kind of akene with a wing, as in the Ash or Maple
(Fig. 68) ; in the latter case two are united. Multiple fruits result
from several flowers closely crowded together, as in the Mulberry. A
Cone or Strobile is a scaly-inbricated multiple fruit.

52. The seed has already been described as containing an embryo
with or without albumen ; it has two coats, the inner of which is very
thin and delicate and not always to be made out, — the outer one, the
Testa, is much thicker and often even hard and bony, and is variously

THE STRUCTURE OF PLANTS. 15

marked. Sometimes it is expanded into a wing", and at others, as in the
Milkweed, furnished with a tuft of hairs which serve to waft it from
place to place. The mark left by the separation of the seed-stalk or
funiculus is called the Hilum, which is conspicuous in the Bean and
Horse-chestnut.

53. SYSTEMATIC BOTANY is that branch of the science which groups
together plants according to their resemblances in structure. Individual
plants that are so much like each other that they may be conceived to
have a common origin, are comprised under the head of Species. Plants
are apt to vary much, from local influences, and to deviate somewhat
from the regular form of the species ; these departures from the typical
form are considered as Varieties. Where varieties perpetuate their pecu-
liarities from one generation to another by the seed, they form Races ; of
which our cultivated plants furnish numerous examples. Those species
which have many points of resemblance, though differing in minor char-
acters, are grouped together in Genera, and genera again are collected
into Families or Orders, these into Classes founded upon fundamental dif-
ferences in the structure of the embryo, stem, &c. The next group in
the ascending order is that of Series, where the whole vegetable kingdom
is separated into two great series, the one comprising the Flowering and
the other the Flowerless Plants.

54. In the descriptions of plants, the account given of the Order should
apply to all the genera included in it ; that of the Genus should include
the important characters of all the species it comprises ; and that of a
Species should present those points which distinguish it from other
species in the same Genus.

The names given to plants are double, corresponding to the surname
and baptismal names of persons. The name of the Genus is placed first,
followed by that of the species ; the latter is usually in the adjective
form.

55. Of course all the plants that one meets with will not be found in
this work, it being intended only to include those which are to be found
in cultivated sections. In order to find the name and description of any
particular plant, the first thing to be settled, (it being of course a flow-
ering plant.) is, to which class to refer it ; this is usually indicated by
the leaves, or, at any rate, it may be ascertained by making a cut across
the stem. If it be an exogenous stem, then it must be ascertained
whether the corolla is present, and if present, whether it is composed of
many pieces or is a more or less entire single one. These preliminaries
being settled, a reference to the Key and a little patience will soon de-
termine the Family to which it belongs. If upon referring to the
description, the plant in question agrees with the character given to the
Family, then the genus is to be ascertained, and after this the species.

A KEY

TO THE

NATURAL ORDERS OR FAMILIES

OF PLANTS DESCRIBED IN THIS WORK.

SERIES 1. FLOWERING PLANTS. Plants with flowers, having stamens and
pistils, and producing seeds, which contain an embryo.

CLASS I. EXOGENOUS or DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. Stems distinctly
formed of bark, wood &ndpith ; the wood in stems lasting from year to year,
increasing by annual layers on the outside next the bark. Leaves netted-
veined. Embryo with two opposite cotyledons, or (in the Pine family) seve-
ral in a whorl. Parts of the flowers usually in fives or fours.

SUB-CLASS 1. ANGIOSPERMS. Pistil a closed ovary, containing ovules
and becoming the fruit. Cotyledons 2.

DIVISION I. POLYPETALOUS : Calyx and corolla both present (except in
some genera of Order I); the petals entirely separate (except in Order
XXX , where they are sometimes united).

A. STAMENS NUMEROUS, MORE THAN 10.
1 . Stamens borne on the receptacle, entirely free from the calyx, corolla or ovary.

Pistils more than one, entirely separate from each PAGE-

other.

Herbs with perfect flowers and divided leaves. RANUNCULACE^:, 26
Small trees with 6-petalled flowers and entire

leaves. ANONACE^E, 36

Pistils numerous, grown together one above

another, covering the long receptacle. MAGNOLIACE^E, 34

Pistils only 1, or 2 - several, more or less completely
united into one.

Ovary simple and 1 -celled, with only one
placenta.
Petals large. Filaments shorter than the

anthers. Podophyllum in BERBERIDACEUE, 36

Petals 4 and irregular, or else very small. RAXUNCULACFLS:, 26
(16)

KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS. 17

Ovary compound, with many seeds from a PAGE-

central placenta. PORTULACACEJE, 62

Ovary compound, 1 -5-celled ; if 1-celled, with
2 - several placentae on the walls.
Sepals falling when the flower opens,
fewer than the petals. Herbs with

milky or colored juice. PAPAVERACE^B, 40

Sepals falling after blossoming, 5 in

number. Trees. TILIACE.&. 68

Sepals remaining beneath the fruit.

Leaves all opposite, with transparent

or dark-colored dots. HYPERICACE^;, 54

2. Stamens connected with the base of the petals, and these borne an the receptacle.

Filaments united in a tube or column; anthers
kidney-shaped, 1-celled. MALVACEAE, 63

3. Stamens and petals united with and apparently borne on the calyx (perigynom).

Petals many, in several rows. Shrubs. CALYCANTHACEJE, 135

Leaves with stipules, alternate. ROSACES, 1 12

Leaves without stipules.
Pod many-seeded.

Shrubs, leaves opposite. Pod
with several cells. Philadel-

[phus in SAXIFRAGACE^E, 143
Herbs; leaves fleshy. Pod 1-

celled, opening by a lid. PORTULACACEJE, 62

Pod 2-seeded, 2-beaked. Shrubs

or trees.
Petals sometimes wanting. HAMAMELACE^E, 144

B. STAMENS 10 OR FEWER.

1. Corolla irregular. (Pistil one.)

Leaves opposite, palmately compound. Calyx 5-

toothed. Shrubs or trees. SAPINDACE.E, 87

Leaves alternate, with stipules.

Filaments often united. Two lower petals
approaching or joined. Pod simple with

only one row of seeds. LEGUMINOS^E, 93

Leaves alternate, without stipules.

Flower 1- spurred. Stamens 8. Fruit of 3

thick and closed pieces. TROP.EOLACE.E, 73

Flower somewhat papilionaceous. Stamens
4-8 in two sets; anthers 1-celled,
opening at top. Fruit a 2-celled, 2-
seeded pod. POLYGALACE.E, 92

18 KEY TO NATTRAL ORDERS.

2. Corolla nearly or quite regular. fAQ*-

Stamens as many as the petals and opposite them.
Pistil and style 1 (the latter sometimes cleft at
. the summit).

Anthers opening by uplifted valves. BERBERIDACE.E, 36

Anthers opening lengthwise.

Woody vines. Calyx minute ; petals

falling very early. YITACE^, 81

Shrubs. Calyx larger, its divisions 4-5. RHAMNACEJE, 85

Herbs. Sepals 2: petals 5: stigmas 3. PORTULACACE.E, 62
Stamens as many as the petals and alternate with
them, or twice as many, or of some unequal
number.

Calyx-tube adhering to the surface of the ovary.
Stamens more or less united with each

other. Flowers monoecious. CUCURBITACE^:, 138

Stamens distinct, as many or twice as
many as the petals.

Seeds many in a 1 -celled berry.

Shrubs. GROSSULACE.E, 136

Seeds many, in a 2-celled or 1 -celled

pod. Styles 2. SAXIFRAGACE.E, 143

Seeds many, in a 4-celled pod. Style

1 : stigmas 4. ONAGRACE.E, 135

Seeds only 1 in each cell. Border
of calyx obscure.
Flowers in small axillary clus-
ters. Pod 2-beaked. Shrubs

or trees. HAMAMELACE.E, 144

Styles 2: fruit dry. Herbs
with flowers in compound

umbels. UMBELLIFER,E, 145

Styles 3-5 (rarely 2) ; fruit a
berry. Shrubs or herbs, with
flowers in simple or panicled

umbels. ARALIACEJE, 155

Style 1. Flowers in cymes or
clustered in heads, sometimes

surrounded by an involucre. CORKAGES, 157

Calyx free from the ovary, at least from the fruit.
Leaves with transparent or blackish dots.

Leaves simple, entire and opposite. HYPERICACE^E, 54
Leaves compound or divided. RUTACE.E, 74

Leaves without transparent dots.

Pistils more than one. Leaves with

stipules. ROSACE JR, 112

Pistils 2, nearly distinct. Stipules

none. SAXIFRAGACE.E, 143

Pistil 1, simple, 1-celled: style and
stigma 1. LEGUMINOS^:, 93

KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS. 19

Pistil 1, compound ; either its styles, stigmas PAGK-

or ovary cells more than 1.

Style 1, entire, or barely cleft at top.
Stamens united into a tube, with

anthers in its orifice.
Trees with odd-pinnate or bipinnate

leaves. MELIACE^E, 69

Stamens distinct.

Anthers opening by holes or chinks

at top.

Anthers opening across the top. ERICACEAE, 207

Anthers opening lengthwise.

Herbs. Stamens 6, 2 of them
shorter. CRUCIFEILE, 42

Woody plants. Fruit few-
seeded.
Stamens fewer than

the 4 long petals. OLEACEJE, 264

Stamens as many as

the broad petals. CELASTRACE^E, 86

Styles or sessile stigmas 2-6, or style
2 - 5-cleft.

Ovary and fruit 1 -celled.

One-seeded. Shrubs. AxACARDiACEuE, 77
Several- or many-seeded.
Seeds in the cen-
tre of the pod. CARYOPHYLLACEJE, 56
Seeds on the walls
or bottom of

the pod. SAXIFRAGACE^;, 143

Ovary with 2 - 5 or more
cells.

Sessile stigmas and sta-
mens 4 -6. AQUIFOLIACE^E, 216
Styles or long stigmas

2 : fruit 2- winged. ACERACE.E, 89

Styles or divisions of
the style 5.

Stamens 5: pod
partly or com-
pletely 10-cell-

ed. LINAGES, 70

Stamens 10 : pod
5-celled. Leaves

compound. OXALIDACE.E, 72

Stamens 10 (or
fewer) : styles
united with a
long beak, split-
ting from it
when ripe. GERANIACE.E, 71

20 KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS.

DIVISION II. MONOPET ALDUS : Calyx and corolla both present ; the petals
more or less united.

A. TUBE OF THE CALYX COHERENT WITH THE OVARY, the corolla ap-
parently inserted on the ovary.
Stamens united by their anthers, and

Not by their filaments. Flowers in heads PAGE.

which are furnished with an involucre. COMPOSITE 168

Also more or less by their filaments. Flowers
not in heads.
Corolla irregular, cleft down one side.

Flowers perfect. LOBELIACE^:, 206

Corolla regular. Flowers monoecious.

Tendril bearing vines. CUCURBITACEJE, 138

Stamens separated from each other, and

Inserted on the corolla. Leaves opposite or
whorled.

Leaves opposite, without stipules.

Flowers in an iuvolucrate head. DIPSACEJE, 167

Flowers not involucrate.

Stamens 2 -3. Corolla 5-lobed. YALERIANACE^:, 165
Stamens 4-5. Corolla 4-5-

lobed. CAPRIFOLIACEJE, 160

Leaves opposite with stipules between

them, or whorled without stipules. RUBIACE^E, 163

Inserted with but not on the corolla.

Stamens twice as many as the lobes of

the corolla.
Woody plants. Huckleberry sub-family

[in ERICACEAE, 207

B. CALYX FREE FROM THE OVARY ; the corolla on the receptacle.

1. Stamens more in number than the lobes of the corolla.
Leaves compound. Flowers commonly irregular.

Pod 1 -celled. LEGUMINOSJE, 93

Leaves simple or palmately divided. Stamens

united into a tube. MALVACEAE, 63

Leaves simple, undivided. Stamens united only
at the base, or separate.

Stamens on the corolla, twice or four times as

many as its lobes. EBENACEJS, 217

Stamens free from the corolla, twice as many

as its lobes. ERICACEAE, 207

2. Stamens as many as the 5, 4 or rarely 6-7 lobes of the regular corolla.
Stamens alternate with the lobes of the corolla, 5
or rarely 4.

Inserted on the receptacle. ERICACEAE, 207

Inserted on the corolla, but connected more
or less with the stigma. Juice milky.
Filaments monadelphous. ASCLEPIADACE^E, 261

KEY TO NATURAL OKDEKS. 21

Inserted on the corolla free from the stigma. P^GB.

Style none : stigmas 4 - 6 : corolla very

short, deeply cleft. AQUIFOLIACE^E, 216

Style 1, rarely 2, sometimes 2-cleft or 3-
cleft.

Ovary deeply 4-lobed, making 4
akenes.
Stamens 4. Leaves opposite,

aromatic. LABIATE, 228

Stamens 5. Leaves not aromatic. BORRAGINACE.E, 241
Ovary and pod 1 -celled : the seeds
on the walls.

Leaves entire and opposite. GENTIAN ACEJJ, 260
Ovary and fruit with 2 or more cells.
Stamens 4, long. Flowers in a

close spike. PLANTAGINACE^;, 218

Stamens 5. Pod or berry many-
seeded.
Flower not quite regular.

Style entire. SCROPHULARIACE.E, 223

Flower quite regular. Sta-

mens all alike. SOLANACEJS, 250

Stamens 5. Pods with few

large seeds. Twining herbs. CONVOLVULACEJJ;, 246

3. Stamens always fewer than the lobes of the calyx or corolla, 2-4.
Corolla more or less irregular, mostly 2-lipped.
Ovary 4-lobed, making 4 akenes. Stems

square ; leaves opposite, aromatic. LABIATE, 228

Ovary and fruit 4-celled and 4-seeded. Sta-

mens 4. VERBENACEJE, 228

Ovary and pod 2-celled, with many large ~)

S30

with

many large seeds.
Ovary and pod 2-celled, with many or few

small seeds. SCROPHULARIACE^E, 223

Corolla regular. Stamens only 2.

Corolla 4-lobed or 4-parted. Shrubs or trees. OLEACE^E, 264

22 KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS.

DIVISION III. APETALOUS : Corolla none ; the floral envelopes being in
a single series (calyx), or sometimes wanting altogether.

A. FLOWERS NOT IN AMENTS OR CATKIN-LIKE HEADS.
1. Seeds many in each cell of the ovary or fruit.

Calyx with its tube coherent with the 6-celled PAGE.

ovary. ARISTOLOCHIACE.E, 268

Calyx free from the ovary.

Pod 3-celled or 1 -celled, with 3 or more

styles. Mollugo, &c., in CARYOPHYLLACEJS, 56

Pod or berry 1 -celled and simple. RANUNCULACE.E, 26

2. Seeds only 1-2 in each cell of the ovary or fruit.
Pistils more than one to the flower, and separate
from each other.

Calyx present and petal-like. Stamens on

the receptacle. RANUNCULACE.E, 26

Calyx present; the stamens inserted on it.

Leaves with stipules. ROSACES, 112

Pistil only 1, simple, or formed of two or more,
with their ovaries united.

Styles 10. Fruit a 10-seeded berry. PHYTOLACCACEJS, 270

Styles or stigmas 2-3.

Herbs with sheathing stipules and entire

leaves. POLYGONACE.E, 278

Herbs with separate stipules and com-
pound or cleft leaves. URTICACE.E, 291
Herbs with milky juice : stipules decidu-
ous or none, and stigmas often forked.

Fruit splitting into 2-3 2-valved pods. EUPHORBIACEJS, 287
Herbs without stipules, and

"Without scaly bracts. Flowers small

and greenish. CHENOPODIACE.E, 270

"With scaly bracts around and among

the flowers. AMARANTACE^E, 275

Shrubs or trees, with opposite leaves.

Fruit a pair of keys. ACERACE^E, 89

Shrubs or trees, with alternate leaves
and deciduous stipules.

Stamens on the throat of the calyx,

alternate with its lobes. RHAMNACE^E, 85

Stamens on the bottom of the calyx. URTICACE.E, 291

Style 1 ; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a key. Leaves

pinnate. Fraxinus in OLEACE^, 264

Style or sessile stigma 1, and simple.

Calyx of 6 petal-like colored sepals : sta-
mens 9-12: anthers opening by valves.

Aromatic shrubs or trees. LAURACE^E, 285

Calyx in the sterile flowers of 3 - 5 green-
ish sepals : stamens the same number.
Flowers monoecious or dioecious. URTICACE^E, 291

KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS. 23

B. FLOWERS, OXE OR BOTH SORTS, IN AMENTS OR CATKIX-LIKE HEADS.

Twining dioecious herbs ; fertile flowers only in PAGE.

short aments. Humulus in URTICACE.E, 291

Shrubby plants, parasitic on trees. Fruit a berry. LORANTHACE^E, 286
Trees or shrubs.

Sterile flowers only in aments. Flowers
monoecious.

Leaves pinnate. Ovary and fruit with-
out an involucre. JUGLANDACILE, 302
Leaves simple. Nuts one or more in a

cup or involucre. CUPULIFERE, 307

Flowers of both kinds in aments or close
heads.
Leaves palmately-veined or lobed.

Calyx 4-cleft, in the fertile flowers

becoming berry-like. Morus in URTICACE.E, 291

Calyx none : flowers in round heads. PLATANACE^E, 301

Leaves pinnately-veined.

Flowers dioecious, 1 on each scale.

Pod many-seeded. SALICACE^E, 328

Flowers monoecious, the fertile ones

2 or more under each scale. BETULACE^E, 824

Flowers only 1 under each fertile

scale.
Fruit 1 -seeded. MYRICACE.E, 323

SUB-CLASS 2. GYMKOSPERMS. Pistil represented by an open scale or leaf,
or sometimes entirely wanting ; the ovules and seeds naked.
Flowers monoecious or dioecious. Stems

branched. Leaves simple. CONIFERS, 333

KEY TO NATURAL ORDERS.

CLASS II. ENDOGENOUS OR MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. Stem not
distinguishable into bark, wood and pith. Leaves mostly parallel- veined and
sheathing at base. Parts of the flower usually in threes. Embryo with a

ARACE.E,

TYPHACE.E,

844

347

ALISMACE^E,

347

BROMELIACEJE, 349

1. Flowers densely crowded on a spadix with or without a spathe.
Herbs. The small and crowded flowers either

naked or with a small perianth.

Spadix with a large spathe surrounding it. 1

Flower generally naked : fruit a berry, f
Spadix without a spathe. Perianth of 6 j

pieces. J

Spadix without any proper spathe: perianth

none ; fruit an akene.

2. Flowers not on a spadix, but variously disposed, having a calyx and
corolla, or a 6-leaved or 6-lobed (rarely 4-lobed) perianth colored and
corolla-like.

Perianth not adherent to the ovary, and

Of 3 greenish sepals and 3 distinct and colored
petals.
Pistils many, in a ring or head, forming

akenes.
Pistil 1, 3-celled, many - several-seeded :

style one.
Slender scurfy-leaved plants, growing on

trees.

Of mostly 6 petal-like leaves in 2 ranks, 3 out-
side and 3 inside, or else 6- (rarely 4-)
lobed, all colored alike.

Stamens 6, or as many as the divisions
of the perianth, all alike.

Anthers turned outward, i. e., on
the outer side of the filament.
Leaves alternate with side ten-
drils, netted-veined between
the ribs. Flowers dioecious :
styles or sessile stigmas 3. SMILACE.E,
Anthers turned inwards, i. e., on the
inner side of the filament : style 1 :
stigmas 1-3. LILIACEJE,

3. Flowers not on a spadix and without any colored or corolla-like
perianth, but having glumes, i. e., husk -like or scale-like bracts. Stems rush-
like or straw-like.

Glumes 6 in a whorl to each flower, like a calyx. JUNCACE.E, 358

Glume one to each flower, the flower in its axil.

Flowers collected into heads or spikes. CYPERACE^E, 358

Glumes 2 - 4 to each flower, of 2 sorts, GRAMINEJS.

350

351

AMERICAN

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

SERIES I.
FLOWERING PLANTS.

PLANTS with flowers, having stamens and pistils, and producing seeds,
which contain an embryo.

CLASS I.
EXOG'ENOUS, OR DICOTYLE'DONOUS PLANTS.

STEMS distinctly formed of bark, wood and pith ; the wood, in stems
lasting from year to year, increasing by annual layers on the outside
next the bark. Leaves netted-veined. Embryo with two opposite
cotyledons, or rarely several in a whorl. Parts of the flower usually in
fives or fours.

SUB-CLASS I.
ANGIOSPER'MOUS EX'OGENS.

PISTIL a closed ovary, containing ovules and becoming the fruit.
Cotyledons 2.

DIVISION 1.

POLYPET'ALOUS EX'OGENS.

FLORAL ENVELOPES consisting generally of both calyx and corolla.,
with the petals mostly distinct.*

* In the Ranunculacene sometimes the petals are absent, and in Legumincsse and
Cucurbitaccje, some species have the petals more or less united.

2 (25)

26

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ORDER I. KANUNCULA'CE^E. (CROWFOOT FAMILY.)

Herbs, or woody vines, with a colorless and often acrid juice, and usually dissected leaves^
without stipules; petals sometimes wanting, and the calyx, which is often colored like a
corolla, hypogynous ; the sepals, petals, numerous stamens, and many or few (rarely
single) pistils, all distinct and unconnected. Fruit either dry pods, akenes or berries I -
several-seeded ; seeds with a firm, fleshy albumen, and a minute embryo.

In many plants of this family, the juice is so powerfully acrid as to produce blistering ;
the acridity in most is, however, destroyed by heat, and in many it is lost in drying.
Many of the plants belonging to the order are cultivated for ornament, as the Colum-
bine, Clematis, Anemone, Larkspur, Peony, &c. Some, as the Aconite, are eminently
poisonous, while others, like Coptis, are simple bitter tonics.

§ 1. Petals none. Sepals colored and petal-like. Pistils several, becoming akenes in fruit.
Upper leaves sometimes forming an involucre near the flower.

Akenes several, not ribbed ; three upper simple leaves forming a

calyx-like involucre near the flower. Radical leaves 3-lobed. 1. HEPATICA.

Akenes several, ribbed. Involucre none. Leaves 3-4 times com-

pound. 2. THAIJCTRUM.

{5 2. Sepals and petals present, the latter with a small scale at the base
inside.

Akenes in a head. 3. RANUNCULUS.

($ 3. Sepals petal-like. Petals, when present, small and irregular. Pis-
tils forming several seeded pods, or follicles.

Flower regular.

Petals none. Sepals yellow. Leaves kidney-shaped. 4. CALTHA.

Petals small, hollowed at the apex. Sepals whitish.

Pistils stalked. 5. Coras.

Flower irregular.

Upper sepal spurred. Petals 4, of two forms. 6. DELPHINIUM.

Upper sepal hooded. Petals 2, long-clawed. 7. AOONITUM.

§4. Sepals petal-like, falling off as the flower opens. Petals small, 2-
horned at the apex.

Flowers in a long raceme. 8. CIMICTFUGA.

1. HEP AT '10 A. Ditten. LIVERLEAF.

[Greek, Hepar, the liver, from a fancied resemblance in tho leaves.]

Involucre of 3 simple leaflets, close to the flowers, resembling a
calyx. Sepals 6- 9 in 2 - 3 rows, colored and petal-like. Petals none.
Akenes in a loose head, compressed, hairy. Leaves all radical. Flowers
single, on hairy scapes.

CROWFOOT FAMILY. 27

1. H, tri'loba, Chaix. Leaves broadly heart-shaped, or somewhat
kidney-shaped, with 3 obtuse lobes ; sepals blue or purplish.

THREE-LOBEB HEPATICA. Liverwort; Liverleaf.

Leaves on petioles 3 - 5 inches long. Scapes several, 4-6 inches long, silky-villous. In-
volucre villous externally.
Open woodlands ; common. April.

06s. One of the earliest flowers of spring, blooming in rocky woods
as soon as the snow disappears. The leaves remain through the
winter, and when old are purplish below. A variety, or what is by
some considered a species (H.acutiloba, DC.), has very acute lobes to the
leaves. This plant, which has no especial interest to the agriculturist,
is noticed on account of some popular reputation it has as a remedy.
It forms a slightly astringent mucilaginous infusion, which is used by
the " herb doctors" in diseases of the lungs, in which it is probably as
harmless as any other warm drink.

2. THALIC'TRUM, L. MEADOW-RUE.

[A name of obscure derivation.]

Often dioecious or polygamous. Sepals 4-5, petal-like, soon falling.
Petals none. Akenes 4-15, ribbed or grooved, pointed by the short
style. Perennial herbs, with 2 - 3-ternately compound leaves and corym-
bose or paniculate flowers.

1. T. Cqrim'ti, L. Dioecious or polygamous ; leaves ternately decom-
pound, divided to the base ; those of the ctem without common petioles ;
leaflets 3-lobed at the apex, glaucous and more or less pubescent ;
flowers white, in loose compound panicles.

COENUTUS'S THALICTRUM. Meadow-rue.

Stem 3-6 feet high, rather stout, branching, furrowed and hollow.

Obs. This is very common in wet meadows and along rivulets, where
its showy white flowers are likely to attract the notice of the farmer.
It can hardly be considered a troublesome plant. *

3. RANUN'CULUS, L. BUTTERCUP. CROWFOOT.

[Latin, Rana, a frog ; the plant often growing where that animal is found.]

Sepals 5. Petals 5, with a scale or pit on the inside, at the base. Sta-
mens mostly numerous. Akenes numerous, compressed, ovate, pointed,
disposed in roundish or cylindrical heads. Annual or perennial herbs,
with mostly radical leaves, and solitary or somewhat corymbed mostly
yellow flowers.

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. R. bulbo'sus, L. Hairy ; radical
leaves petiolate, trifoliolate and some-
what pinnately divided ; leaflets usu-
ally 3-cleft, incisely toothed, the mid-
dle or terminal one petiolulate ; stem
erect, from a solid bulb-like base ;
peduncles furrowed ; calyx reflexed,
shorter than the petals.
BULBOUS RANUNCULUS. Buttercups.
Crowfoot.

FT. Bassinet. Germ. Knolliger Ran-
unkel. Span. Boton de Oro.

Root perennial. Stem about a foot high,
often several from the same root, more or
less branched, clothed with appressed hairs.
Leaves variously cut, the segments cuneate.
Peduncles 2-6 inches long, sulcate-angular.
Petals sometimes more than 5 (flowers double),
deep yellow and shining. Carpels in a. globose
head.

Pastures and meadows : introduced. Native
of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. This foreigner is extensively
naturalized, and is considered quite a
nuisance by farmers. The fleshy bulb
is highly acrid, affording a powerful
rubefacient, and even causing ulcers
when externally applied. Beggars
in Europe, it is said, use it for this
purpose, in order to excite sympathy. I do not know that cattle have
been injured by it, but as it is a troublesome weed, when fully intro-
duced, it may be well for farmers to know the plant, and eradicate it
upon its first appearance in their grounds.

2. R. a'cris, L. Hairy ; stem erect, not bulbous at base ; leaves 3-divid-
ed, divisions all sessile and 3-parted, their segments cut into lanceolate
or linear lobes ; peduncles not furrowed ; calyx spreading.
ACRID RANUNCULUS. Tall Crowfoot. Buttercups.

Perennial. Stem 1-2 feet high, branched above, sparingly leafy, and with the petioles
clothed with spreading hairs, but sometimes nearly smooth. Flowers nearly as large, but
not so deep yellow, as in the preceding.

Meadows and pastures. Native of Europe. June - Aug.

Obs. Like the foregoing, this is an introduced weed ; it is common
in New England and in New York State, though, according to Dr. Dar-
lington, it has not become abundant in Pennsylvania. Both species

Fio. 1. Bulbous Crowfoot, or Buttercups (Ranunculus bulbosus), the upper an I lower
portions of the stem. 2. A separate petal, with a scale at the base.

CKOWFOOT FAMILY.

FIG. 3. Tall Crowfoot (Ranunculus acris), reduced. 4. An enlarged flower divided, to
show the insertion of the distinct parts on the receptacle. 5. A head of akeues. 6. A
separate akene.

30 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

are popularly known as Buttercups, and in some localities are so abun-
dant in meadows, as to appear at a distance like an unbroken sheet of
golden yellow. On account of their very acrid juice, cattle do not eat
them in their fresh state, but when cut with the grass and dried, the
acridity is dissipated, and they become apparently quite innocuous.
Before the introduction of Spanish Flies, these and other species were
used to produce blisters ; being uncertain in their operation, they are
now seldom employed. About a dozen other species are to be found in
the woodlands and meadows, and a few aquatic ones in streams and
ponds. The only one of these which assumes the character of a weed
at the north is R. repens, L., the long stems of which are usually pros-
trate and rooting at the joints ; it has large bright flowers, and is some-
times common in wet meadows. R. muricatus, L., is an introduced
species, found in the fields in Virginia and southward. It has roundish,
mostly 3-lobed leaves, and the akenes beset with spiny tubercles or
bristles. Both R. bulbosus and JR. acris frequently become perfectly
double by the transformation of their organs of fructification into petals,
and are frequently cultivated in gardens. In the double R. bulbosus,
the flower is proliferous, the receptacle producing, instead of a head of
pistils, a bud which developes as the old flower falls away ; this is
repeated several times in succession.

4. CAL'THA, L. MAESH MARIGOLD.

[Greek, Kalathos, a goblet ; from the cup-like form of the flower.]
Sepals 4-10. Petals none. Pistils 5-10, without styles, forming in
fruit many-seeded, compressed, spreading pods. Smooth perennials, with
large round or heart-shaped entire leaves.

1. C. palus'tris, L. Stem nearly erect, hollow, furrowed ; leaves round,
heart-shaped or kidney-shaped, often wider than long, crenate or nearly
entire.
MARSH CALTHA. Marsh Marigold. Cowslip.

Stem 5-10 inches high, succulent, sometimes branched. Radical leaves on petioles 3-
6, and flually often 12-15 inches long. Flowers an inch or more in diameter, few, some-
•w'hat corymbose, bright yellow.

Swamps and wet meadows ; common at the north. April.

Obs. This plant has considerable acridity when fresh, but heat de-
stroys it ; it is much used as a pot herb or " greens " in early spring. In
New England its popular name is Cowslips (or corrupted into '•' cows
lops"). It has no botanical relation to the Cowslip nor to the Marigold.

5. COP'TIS, Salisb. GOLDTHREAD.

[Greek, Kopto, to cut ; on account of its divided leaves.]

Calyx of 5 - 7 petal-like, deciduous sepals. Petals as many as the sepals,
small, thickened, and hollow at the apex. Stamens 15 - 30, shorter than
the sepa's. Pistils 3-7, each upon a short' stalk, which lengthens as the

CROWFOOT FAMILY. 31

fruit matures. Pods membranaceous, spreading, pointed with the short,
sometimes recurved style, few-seeded. Low, slender, "smooth perennials
with trifoliolate leaves, which survive the winter, and small white flowers
borne on scapes.

1. C, trifo'lia, Salisb. Leaves ternately divided ; leaflets wedge-obo-
vate, sharply toothed, obscurely 3-lobed ; scape 1-flowered.
THREE-LEAVED COPTIS. Goldthread. Mouth-root.

Rhizoma horizontal, creeping ; fibres bright yellow. Leaves on long petioles, very smooth
and shining ; leaflets about an inch long. Scape slender but somewhat rigid and wiry,
3-6 inches long. Flowers about two-thirds of an inch in diameter. Sepals obtuse, white,
sometimes purplish underneath. Petals much shorter than the sepals, yellow at the
base.

Obs. This beautiful little evergreen is found in boggy places and in
damp woods from Maryland to Greenland. The long bright yellow fibres
of the root have caused it to receive the common name of Goldthread.
It is purely bitter, without any astringency, and is used in medicine as
a tonic. In some places it is a domestic remedy for the sore mouths
of children ; whence the name " Mouth-root." " That eminent naturalist,
JOHN ELLIS, in a letter to LINNAEUS, dated London, April 25, 1758,
says : ' Mr. GOLDEN, of New York, has sent Dr. Fothergill a new
plant, described by his daughter (Miss JANE GOLDEN). It is called
Fibraurea, Gold Thread. This young lady merits your esteem and does
honor to your system. She has drawn and described 400 plants in your
method only : she uses the English terms. Her father has a plant called
after him, Coldenia ; suppose you should call this Coldenella, or any
other name that might distinguish her among your genera.' LINNAEUS,
however, referred the plant to his genus Helleborus, and when it was
subsequently ascertained to be distinct, SALISBURY, regardless alike of
gallantry and Justice, imposed on it the name of Coptis." — Memoirs of
Bartram and Marshall, p. 20. *

6. DELPHIN'IUM, L. LARKSPUR.

[Greek, Delphin, a dolphin ; from a fanciful resemblance in the flower.]

Sepals petaloid, irregular, the upper one produced into a spur at base.
Petals 4, irregular, the two upper ones with a spur-shaped appendage at
base inclosed in the spur of the calyx, sometimes united. Ovaries 1 -
5, mostly 3. Follicles many-seeded. Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves
petiolate, palmately divided. Flowers in terminal racemes.

1. D. Consol'ida, L. Stern erect, with spreading branches ; leaves
many-parted, the segments linear ; flowers few, in loose racemes ; pedi-
cels longer than the bracts ; petals united ; pod solitary, smooth.
SOLDER DELPHINIUM. Lark-spur. [Caballero.

Ft: Pied d'Alouette. Germ. Der Eittersporn. Span. Espuela de

Root annual. Stem about two feet high, and with the foliage and nowers somewhat
pubescent. Flowers blue or violet-purple, sometimes the petals are multiplied into double
flowers.

Ciraui Holds and waste places : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. August.

32 AVEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

O6s. This plant (which gets its specific name from a supposed virtue
in soldering or uniting wounded flesh,) has strayed from the gardens, in
some places, and is an unwelcome intruder in grain fields and other cul-
tivated grounds. This, and a kindred species, (D. Ajacis, L. with lew

erect branches, longer and more crowded racemes,) are so common in
gardens, that it requires some attention to prevent them from trespass-
ing on the farm. There are several other species cultivated for orna-
ment, among them the curious Bee Larkspur (D. ELATUM), which has its

FIG. 7. Field Larkspur (Delphinium Consolida). 8. Uppor sepal. 9 & 10. Lateral
eepals. 11. Lower sepals. 12. United petals.

CKOWFOOT FAMILY.

33

dark bearded petals folded up in such a way as to resemble an insect in
the centre of the flower.

7. ACONI'TUM, Tournef. MONKSHOOD.

[The ancient name.]

Sepals petal-like, irregular, the upper one hooded and larger than the
others. Petals 2 (the 3-lower entirely wanting or resembling sterile
stamens) , small spur-shaped bodies on a long slender claw, concealed
under the hood. Pistils 3-5. Pods several-seeded. Acrid and poison-
ous perennial herbs' with palmately divided leaves, and racemes or pani-
cles of showy flowers.

A. NAPEL'LUS, L. Flowers race-
mose on short pedicels ; hooded
sepal semicircular ; divisions of the
leaves parted into linear lobes ; root
fusiform ; flowers blue.
MONKSHOOD. Wolfsbane. Aconite.

Root somewhat woody. Stem erect, sim-
ple, rather stout and very leafy. Flowers
mostly dark violet or blue.

Cultivated in gardens. Native of Europe.
June.

Obs. This is a very variable spe-
cies of which De Candolle notices
29 varieties, differing in the color of
the flowers and division of the
leaves ; many of these are highly
ornamental plants, and are often
cultivated. All parts of the plant
are highly poisonous ; especially is
this the case with the root. Death
has resulted from mistaking the
roots for those of Horseradish in
early spring. It is introduced here
in order that its poisonous character
may be known. *

8. CIMICIF'UGA, L. BUGBANE.

[Latin, Cimex, a bug, andfugare, to drive away ; in allusion to supposed virtues.]

Sepals 4-5, falling soon after expansion. Petals (or altered stamens)
minute, pedicelled,with 2 horns at the apex. Stamens numerous. Car-
pels 1-8, follicular, many-seeded. Perennial herbs. Leaves bi- or tri-
ternately divided. Flowers in virgate racemes.

FIG. 13. Monkshood (Aconitum Xapellus).

2*

34 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

1. C. racemo'sa, Ell. Eacemes very long ; carpels mostly solitary,
ovoid, obliquely beaked by the short thick style.

RACEMOSE CIMICIFUGA. Tall Snake- root. Black Snake-root.

Root large, branching. Stem 4-6 feet high, slender, smooth, leafy near the middle,
naked above and below, with one or two radical leaves on long erect petioles. Leaves
ternatcly decompound, petiolate ; leaflets 2-4 inches long, acute or acuminate, unequally
incised-dentate, the terminal one larger and often 3-lobed. Racemes terminal, branching,
6-12 inches long. Sepals 4, orbicular, concave, greenish white. Seeds compressed
and angular.

Rich woodlands. Fl. June. Fr. September.

Obs. The white terminal racemes of this plant, when in flower, are
quite conspicuous in the woodlands. The stem and leaves, when bruised,
emit a disagreeable odor. The root is somewhat mucilaginous and
astringent. Although a plant of no agricultural value, — and probably
over-rated as a medicine, — the infusion of the bruised root is so gener-
ally regarded as a sort of Panacea for stock (especially for sick cows),
that every farmer ought to know it, and be able with certainty to desig-
nate it.

ORDER II. MAGNOLIA' CEvE. (MAGNOLIA FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs with the leaf-buds sheathed by membranous stipules ; large, solitary, hypo-
gy nous, polyandrous, polygamous flowers ; both sepals and petals colored and arranged in
series of threes, imbricated in the bud. Leaves alternate, entire or lobed (never serrate).
Stamens in several rows ; anthers adnatc. Pistils mostly packed together and covering
the prolonged receptacle. Seeds 1-2 in each carpel ; albumen fleshy ; embryo minute.
A small but superb family, more ornamental, however, than important in agriculture.

1. MAGNO'LIA, L. MAGNOLIA.

[Named in honor of Prof. Pierre Magnol, a French botanist.]

Sepals 3. Petals 6-9. Stamens with very short filaments and anthers
opening inwards. Pistils crowded on the long receptacle, coherent in a
mass, and forming a fleshy and rather woody cone-like fruit ; each carpel
opening by its dorsal suture. Seeds berry-like, 1 - 2 in each carpel, from
which they are suspended when mature by a long thread or funiculus.
Buds conical, the coverings formed of successive pairs of stipules.

1. M. glau'ca, L. Leaves 'lance-oblong, obtuse, white beneath ; petals

rouudish-obovate ; cones small, oblong.

GLAUCOUS MAGNOLIA. Laurel or Small Magnolia. Sweet Bay.

Shrub or small tree 4-20, or even 30 feet high, branching ; with a smooth, glaucous, aro-
matic lark. Leaves thickish, 4-8 inches long, deciduous at the North but persistent at
the South. Flowers white, on thick, club-shaped peduncles, 2-3 inches broad, very
fragrant.

Swamps from Massachusetts southward, mostly near the coast. June -Aug.

Obs. This charming little tree is well worthy the attention of those
who wish to surround their dwellings with attractive objects ; it is per-
fectly hardy, and in cultivation attains a respectable size.

MAGNOLIA FAMILY. 35

2. M. acumina'ta, L. Leaves oval, acuminate, green and slightly pu-
bescent beneath, deciduous ; petals oblong ; cones cylindrical.
ACUMINATE MAGNOLIA. Cucumber tree.
Fr. Le Magnolier. Germ. Der Gurkenbaum. Span. Arbol de Castor.

Tree, from 50-80 feet high, and 2-3 or 4 feet in diameter at base. Leaves 6 -10 or
12 inches long (oil vigorous young saplings much larger— as is usually the case with all
trees). Flowers large, bluish white, often with a tinge of yellow ; petals scarcely expand-
ing. Fruit sub -cylindric, 3 - 5 or 6 inches long.

Mountain forests, New York to Georgia. Fl. June- July. Fr. Sept. -October.

Obs. The green fruit has some resemblance to a Cucumber (whence
the common name of the tree) ; and being intensely bitter and somewhat
aromatic, a tincture of it, prepared with whiskey, is a popular preventive
of autumnal fevers, with those who are fond of an excuse for taking
alcoholic medicine.

Others of this genus may be cultivated in favorable localities ; among
them the Yellow Cucumber Tree (M. cordata, MX.), with heart-shaped
leaves and cream-colored flowers ; the Ear-leaved Cucumber Tree (M.
Fraseri, Walt.) , which has leaves a foot in length with auriculate lobes
at the base ; the Umbrella Tree (M. Umbrella, £««?.), with leaves 1-2
feet long and tapering at each end ; and the Great-leaved Magnolia (M.
macrophylla,^:-) having leaves 2-3 feet in length with a heart-shaped
base. The great Laurel Magnolia (M. grandiflora, L.), with its thick
evergreen leaves, which are rusty beneath, and its large deliciously fra-
grant flowers, is a native of North Carolina and farther south ; it endures
the winter as far north as Philadelphia, and should be planted wherever
the winter is not too severe. M. CONSPICUA and M. PURPUREA are
Asiatic species often seen in cultivation in city gardens ; the former
bears white and the latter purple flowers, which in both cases appear
in early spring, before the leaves ara developed. The bark in all the
species is bitter and aromatic, and is sometimes used in medicine.

2. LIRIODEN'DRON, L. TULIP-TREE.

[Greek, Leirion, a lily, and Dendron, a tree ; from its lily-like flowers.]

Sepals 3, reflexed. Corolla campanulate ; petals 6. Anthers extrorse.

Carpels dry and samara-like, indehiscent, densely imbricated in a cone,

1 - 2-seeded. A large tree. Buds flat.

1. L. TULIPIF'ERA, L. Leaves dilated, subcordate at base, 3-lobed, the

middle lobe broad and emarginately truncate.

TULIP-BEARING LIRIODENDRON. Poplar. Tulip Poplar. Tulip-tree.

Fr. Le Tulipier. Germ. Der Tulpenbaum.

Tree 80-120 feet high, and 2 or 3- 5 or 6 feet in diameter. Leaves 4-6 inches long
on old trees and about as wide as long — the side lobes often with a sinus making two
points. Petals greenish-yellow, with tinges of reddish-orange. Carpels produced at apex
into a lanceolate-oblong wing, and closely imbricated in a cone on the fusiform receptacle.

Rich woodlands : Canada to Louisiana. Fl. May. Fr. October.

Obs The timber of this magnificent tree is highly valued in many
brancnes of the mechanic arts, especially the variety called yellow Poplar,

36 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

which is generally to be known by its thicker and more deeply-furrowed
bark . The hygrometric properties of the wood — particularly of the white
variety — render it rather objectionable in cabinet furniture (causing it
to swell in damp weather) ; but the yellow Poplar is much esteemed for
its mellowness, lightness, and durability. The bark of the root, and
young tree, is a valuable aromatic bitter. The prevalence of the Tulip-
tree, in woodlands, is a pretty sure indication of a good soil.

ORDER III. ANONA'CE^E. (CUSTARD-APPLE FAMILY.)

Trf.es or shriibs with naked buds, alternate entire and feather-veined leaves, without stipules,
and hypogynous polyandrous Jlowers, with 3 sepals and 6 petals, iu two rows, valvate
in the bud. Anthers adnate, opening outwards, on very short filaments. Petals thickish.
Fruit pulpy or fleshy. Seeds large, with a minute embryo at the base of ruminated
albumen.

There is but one genus in this country. The luscious Custard Apples of the West Indies,
and the Chirimoya of Peru are afforded by trees of this order.

1. ASIM'INA, Adans. NORTH AMERICAN PAP AW.

[A name coined from Asiminier, of the French colonists.]

Petals 6, increasing in size after the flower opens, the outer series larger
and spreading. Stamens in a globular cluster, covering the receptacle
of the few pistils. Fruits 1-3, large, oblong or ovoid, pulpy, several-
seeded. Seeds horizontal, flat, enclosed in a fleshy aril. Shrubs or
small trees with an unpleasant odor when bruised ; Jlowers axillary and
solitary.

1. A. tri'loba, Dunal. Leaves thin, obovate, lanceolate, pointed ; outer
petals 3-4 times as long as the calyx, roundish ovate.
THREE-LOBED ASIMINA. Papaw.

Stem 10-20 feet high, branched. Leaves 6-9 inches long ; petioles scarcely % an inch
in length. Flowers appearing rather before the leaves ; petals brownish-purple, veiny,
with tinges of yellow within. Fruit 1-3 inches long, consisting of 1-3 pulpy berry-like
carpels.

Western New York and southward. Fl. May. Fr. Sept.

Obs. The fruit of this tree is edible in its wild state, and is said to
be much improved by cultivation. It is introduced here with the view
of inducing those curious in such matters, to try what careful culture
may effect in a fruit which is prized by some in its natural condition. *

ORDER IV. BERBERIDA'CE^E. (BARBERRY FAMILY.)

Shrubs or herbs, with alternate (sometimes compound or lobed) leaves, and sepals and
petals imbricated in the bud, in 2 or more series of 2-4 each. Stamens hypogynous, as
many or twice as many as the petals, and opposite them ; anthers opening by 2 lids hinged
at the top (except in Podophyllum) . Pistil only one ; style short. Fruit mostly berry-
like. Seeds albuminous.

The fruit in this family is usually eatable, while the root, bark and foliag;; are astrin-
gent, or possess cathartic or poisonous qualities.

BARBERRY FAMILY.

37

1. BER'BERIS, L. BARBERRY.

[Name from the Arabic.]

Sepals 6, roundish, bracteo-
late. Petals 6, obovate, with 2
gland-like spots near the base
inside. Stamens 6, irritable.
Stigma orbicular, depressed.
Fruit a 1 - few-seeded berry.
Seeds erect. Shrubs with acid
leaves and berries, and yellow
flowers in pendent racemes ;
wood and inner bark yellow.
1. B. vulga'riy, L. Leaves
scattered on the young shoots,
mostly small with sharp-lobed
margins, or reduced to sharp
triple spines, from the axils of
which, the next season, are
produced fascicles of obovate-
oblong closely bristle-toothed
leaves, and drooping many-
flowered racemes ; petals en-
tire ; berries oblong, scarlet.
COMMON BARBERRY. Bar-
berry.

Shrub 3-10 feet high, producing
numerous suckers. Leave* about an
iuch and a half long and half an inch
wide. Racemes 2 inches or more in
length. Berries about half an inch
long. New England and New York.
Fl. May. Fr. Oct.

Obs. This shrub is a native of Europe, and thoroughly naturalized
throughout New England, and partially so in the State of New York.
A native species (B, Canadensis, Pursh.) is found in the Alleghanies,
and also in the Himalayas of India. In New England the Barberry
abounds along the road sides and in waste places, often forming dense
thickets or natural hedges ; it sometimes, though rarely, assumes a tree-
like form. It is a beautiful shrub, whether bearing its graceful yellow
racemes of flowers in spring, or loaded with its coral-like berries in
autumn. To those who observe plants closely, it presents several inter-
esting peculiarities ; its stamens when touched with a pin, or other hard
point, manifest their irritability by springing suddenly towards the
pistil, where they remain for some time ; the anthers have a curious con-

10

15

FIG. 14. Barberry (Berberis vulgar is). 15. An enlarged petal, showing the g'.an:luhir
spots at the base. 16. A magnified anther, opening by valves hinged at the top.

38 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

trivance for the liberation of the pollen ; instead of emitting it, as is
usually the case, through a longitudinal slit, there is a little valve or
trap-door, hinged at the top, which opens spontaneously. The leaves
of the young shoots afford a marked illustration of the nature of some
kinds of spines. Though not generally enumerated among the hedge
plants, it possesses many qualities which adapt it to this use ; being very
hardy, long lived, and easily propagated. It was formerly a popular
belief, and one which prevails yet to some extent, that the Barberry
possessed the power of blasting grain. The fallacy of this idea has been
proved ; the only injury it can cause the grain is by shading it, which it
is very likely to do when allowed to grow, unchecked, along the borders
of fields. The berries, preserved in sugar, are in common use in New
England, to eat with meat or to form an acid cooling drink in
fevers. The inner bark has tonic and purgative properties, said to be
somewhat similar to those of rhubarb ; it is one of the remedies of the
so called "Indian Doctors," according to whom the virtues are essen-
tially modified by the way in which the bark is removed, whether by
scraping upwards or downwards.

_ A variety with reddish foliage, and several Asiatic species, are cul-
tivated. The Mahonias, which are evergreen Barberries with pinnate
leaves, are natives of the far west, and are fine ornamental shrubs. *

2. PODOPHYL'LUM, L. MAY-APPLE.

[Greek, POMS, a foot and Phyllon, a leaf ; the leaf resembling a web -foot.]

Sepals 6, thin and caducous, not expanding, subtended by 3 caducous
bracts. Petals 6-9. Stamens twice as many as the petals ; anthers
linear-oblong, opening lengthwise by a laterally hinged valve. Ovary
ovoid, crowned by the thick sessile undulate stigma. Fruit a fleshy
berry, the numerous seeds crowded on the large lateral placenta, each in-
vested with a pulpy aril. Herbs with 2-leaved 1-flowered stems arising
from a creeping perennial rootstock.

L P. pelta'tum, L. Stems bearing 2 deeply lobed leaves; flower
solitary from the point where the petioles unite.

PELTATE PODOPHYLLUM. May-apple. Mandrake. Hog-apple.

Stems 8-12 inches high, the flowerless ones bearing a single large peltate leaf. Leaves
4-6 inches in diameter, the lobes somewhat toothed at the apex, flower white, nearly 2
inches broad. Fruit 1-2 inches long, yellowish, slightly acid.

Woodlands, common. Fl. May. Fr. July -August.

Obs. Besides the common names above given this is known in some
parts of the country as Wild Lemon and Raccoon Berry. The fruit is
edible and harmless ; its taste is mawkish aud disagreeable to many
persons. Both foliage and root are poisonous ; serious results have fol-
lowed the use of the leaves as greens. The root is a violent purgative,
resembling jalap in its action. Although one of the popular names of
this plant is Mandrake, it is not related to the Mandrake or Maudragora

BARBERRY FAMILY.

39

of the ancients : notwithstanding its poisonous character (the reason of
our noticing it) it is a very respectable herb in comparison with that,
which, according to tradition, flourished best under a gallows, and had
a root resembling a man in shape, uttering terrible shrieks when it was

A.M.

FIG. 17. Field Poppy (Papavcr duBium), reduced. 18. A capsule.

40 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

torn from the ground and possessing the power of transforming men
and beasts. *

ORDER Y. PAPAYERA'CE^. (POPPY FAMILY.)

Herbs with a milky or colored juice and regular polyandrous, hypogynous flowers with
the parts in twos or fours ; sepals caducous ; fruit a 1-celled pod or capsule with 2 or more
parietal placentae ; seeds numerous, often crested ; embryo small, at the base of fleshy
and oily albumen.

Herbs with a white juice. Seeds not crested.

Capsule crowned by the radiate united stigmas. 1. PAPAVER.

Herbs with a yellow or orange-colored juice. Seeds crested.

Stigmas 4 -6. Pod and leaves prickly. 2. ARGEMONE.

Stigmas 2. Pod narrow and smooth. 3. CHELIDONIUM.

Stigma 2-grooved. Pod oblong, turgid. 4. SANGUINARIA.

1. PAPA'YER, L. POPPY.

[Derivation of the name not well ascertained.]

Sepals 2. Petals 4 (sometimes multiplied) . Stigmas 4 - 20, sessile,
radiating on the summit of the ovary. Capsule obovoid, opening by
chinks or pores under the edge of the crown formed by the stigmas ;
placenta extending into the cavity so as to form incomplete partitions.
Flowers nodding before opening.

1. P. du'bium, L. Stem clothed with slender spreading hairs —
the peduncles with bristly appressed hairs ; leaves pinnately dissected,
the segments often incised, Recurrent ; sepals hairy ; capsules obovoid-
oblong, smooth.

DUBIOUS PAP AVER. Poppy. Field-poppy.

Fr. Pavot batard. Germ. Der Saat-Mohn. Span. Amapola.

Root annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, somewhat branched below. Leaves 2-5 inches
long. Peduncles terminal, 6-12 inches long, llexuose, leafless. Petals pale red or brick
dust colored. Stigmas about 7-raycd, on a convex disk.

Cultivated grounds ; introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July, August.

Obs. This has found its way into some districts ; and, if unattended
to, may become a troublesome weed — as it and the " Corn Poppy " (P.
Rkoeas, L.) are in Europe. The common or Opium Poppy, (P. som-
niferum, L. — a smooth species with stem-clasping leaves) — which yields
the most efficacious and soothing of all anodynes — is often seen in the
flowerbeds of our gardens. I believe there was an attempt made, near
New York, some 30 or 40 years ago, to cultivate that species for the
purpose of obtaining Opium : but it did not succeed — and perhaps its
culture, even if practicable here, is better suited to the Orientals, than
to the people of our country.

2. ARGEMO'NE, L. PEICKLY POPPY.

[Greek, Argema, a disease of the eye ; supposed to be relieved by this plant.]

Sepals mostly 3, prickly. Petals 4-6. Stigmas 3-6, subsessile, radiate.
Pod oblong, prickly, opening at the apex by 3 - 6 valves. Seeds crested.
Herbs with large showy flowers and yellowish ju:'ce. Flower buds erect.

POPPY FAMILY.

41

1. A. Mexica'na, L. Leaves sessile,
shmate-lobed with prickly teeth, blotch-
ed with white ; petals white or pale
yellow.
MEXICAN ARGEMONE. Prickly Poppy.

Annual or Uennial. Stem about 2 feet high,
branching. Leaves 3-5 inches long. Sepals
hooded at the apex and terminated by a stout
spine.

Gardens and waste places. Naturalized from
tropical America. June - October.

06s. This is but sparingly natural-
ized in the Northern States, though it
is a common weed at the South. It is
sometimes cultivated in gardens, and

should not be allowed to escape, as it has a strong propen-ity to travel;
having made its way from tropical America to Asia, Africa, and the
South Sea Islands. *

3. CHEUDO'NIUM, L. CELANDINE.

[Greek. Chelidon, a swallow ; its flowers appearing with
that bird.]

Sepals 2. Petals 4. Stigma 2-lobed, sub-
sessile. Pod linear, smooth, 1-celled, opening
from the base by 2 valves. Seeds conspicu-
ously crested. Perennial herbs with brittle
stems, an acrid yellow juice, small yellow
flowers and divided leaves.
1. C. Ma' jus, L. Leaves twice pinnatifid,
glaucous ; flowers in umbel-like clusters.

GREATER CHELIDONIUM. Celandine.

Stem about 2 feet high , branched . Leaves 3-5 inches
long. Pods about an inch in length, torulose.

Fence rows and waste places. Native of Europe.
May -August.

Obs. A common weed about dwellings.
Its very brittle stems, when broken, exude
a saffron-colored strong-smelling juice, which
is very bitter and acrid. The plant was at
one time much extolled as a remedy for
jaundice, but little use is made of it, except
that the fresh juice is occasionally applied to
warts. *

20

FIG. 19. A capsule of the Prickly Poppy (Argemone Mexicana) , opening by valves at
tho top. 20. Celandine (Chelidonium majus) , summit of a flowering branch.

42 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

4. SANGUINA'RIA, L. BLOODROOT.

[Latin, Sanguis, blood ; in reference to the red color of its juice.]

Sepals 2. Petals 8-12, spatulate oblong, the inner narrower. Stigmas
2-grooved, subsessile. Capsule oblong, ventricose, tapering at each end,
2-valved. Seeds strongly crested. Perennial herbs with thick rootstocks
containing an orange-red acrid juice ; flowers on scapes.

1. S. Canaden'sis, L. Leaf mostly solitary, cordate reniform, long
petioled ; flowers white, solitary on naked scapes.

CANADIAN SANGUTNARIA. Bloodroot. Puccoon.

Rootstock thickish, fleshy, reddish-brown, about 2 inches long. Leaf about three
inches long and wider than long ; petiole erect, finally 6-10 inches in length. Scape 4-8
inches high.

Rich woods ; common. April -May.

Obs. This is one of our earliest and most beautiful spring flowers.
The flower, which is large for the size of the plant, is carefully protected
by the leaf which envelopes it before expansion. Late in the season
the leaves increase so much in size, and are so altered in appearance,
that they but little resemble their early state. The plant does well in
cultivation. An orange-colored juice is found in all parts of the plant,
but is most abundant in the rootstock, which, under the name of Blood-
root, is used in medicine ; it is an emetic, and is also used for coughs,
&c. ; in large doses it is poisonous. In some parts of the country the
leaves are given to horses to promote the shedding of their hair, and
the roots are given to destroy bots.

ORDER VI. CRUCIF'ERAE. (MUSTARD FAMILY.)

Herbs with a pungent, watery juice, leaves alternate without stipules, and flowers in ra-
cemes or corymbs ; the pedicels without bracts. Calyx of 4 sepals, deciduous. Corolla of
4 regular unguiculate petals, their spreading limbs forming a cross. Stamens 6, 2 of them
shorter (tdradynamous) . Fruit a pod (called a Silique when much longer than broad,
and a Silicle when short) , which is 2-celled by a membranaceous partition that connects the
two marginal placentae, from which the two valves usually fall away. Seeds without
albumen. Embryo curved ; cotyledons flat or plicate, either with their edges to the radicle
or with the back of one of them to the radicle.

This order is a remarkably natural or homogeneous one, as well in the sensible proper-
ties as in the botanical characters of the plants belonging to it. The flowers so nearly
resemble one another throughout the family, that the characters for genera are token
from the pods and seeds. There are but few important ones, however, besides those
here noticed. The Woad, or Dyer's weed (Isatis tinctoria, L.) is cultivated in Europe for
its blue coloring matter, but I believe it is little known or attended to in the United
States.
^ 1. Pod separating into two valves when ripe.

Pod usually many times longer than wide (silique.)
Pod not beaked. Seeds flat or oblong.

Pod varying from oblong-linear to ovoid, nearly terete ; valves

nerveless. Flowers white or yellow. 1. NASTURTIUM.

Pod obtusely 4-augled ; valves 1-nerved. Flower yellow. 2. BARBAREA.
Pod awl-shaped, pressed close to the stem. Flowers small,

pale yellow. 3. SISYMBRIUM.

MTJSTABD FAMILY. 43

Pod terminating in a strong beak. Seeds round. Flowers
yellow.

Calyx erect in blossom. 4. BRASSICA.

Calyx spreading in blossom. 5. SINAPIS.

Pod short, not many times longer than wide (silicle or pouch).
Pod globose (rarely forming). Flowers white. Leaves

mostly undivided. 6. ARMORACIA.

Pod pear-shaped, many-seeded. Flowers yellow. 7. CAMHUNA.

Pod flattened contrary to the narrow partition.

Pod triangular obovate. Seeds many. 8. CAPSELLA.

Pod roundish, small. Seeds 2. 9. LEPIDIUM.

§ 2. Pod not separating into valves but breaking up into joints when
ripe.

Flowers yellow or purplish. 10. RAFHAMJS.

1. NASTUR'TIUM, R. Br. WATER-CRESS.

[Latin, Nasus tortus, a tortured nose, from the pungent effect of the plant.]

Silique, nearly terete, sometimes almost as short as a silicle, usually

curved upwards ; valves nerveless. Seeds small, irregularly disposed in

a double series, not margined. Aquatic or subaquatic herbs. Leaves

often pinnately dissected.

1. N. officinal*, R. Br. Leaves pinnately divided ; segments rounded

or oblong ; petals white, twice the length of the calyx.

OFFICINAL NASTURTIUM. Water-cress.

Fr. Cresson de Fontaine. Germ. Die Brunnenkresse. Span. Berro.

Perennial. Stem 6-12 and IS inches long, branching. Leaves odd-pinnately dissected
segments in 3-4 pairs, the terminal one largest. Petals white.
Brooks and rivulets : probably introduced from Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

06s. This plant (well known as the " Water Cress" in England,) is
frequently cultivated, and is naturalized in some places. It affords an
excellent and wholesome salad, antiscorbutic in its properties, as all the
Cruciferce are, and being easily propagated, is worthy of being introduced
into all suitable localities.

2. BARB ARE 'A, R. Br. WINTER-CRESS.

[So named from having been formerly dedicated to Si. Barbara.]

Silique linear, somewhat 4-sided, the valves keeled by a mid-nerve.

Seeds in a single series. Leaves lyrately pinnatifid.

1. B. PR^E'COX, R. Br. Lower leaves lyrate, the terminal lobe obovate,

or rounded, coarsely sinuate-dentate ; upper leaves pinnatifid, with

entire linear -oblong segments ; siliques linear, elongated, scarcely thicker

than their pedicels.

EARLY BARBAREA. Scurvy-grass. Early Winter-cress.

Fr. Roquette des Jardins. Germ. Die Winter-kresse. Span. Yerba
de Santa Barbara.

Root biennial ? Stem 9-15 inches high, somewhat branching. Leaves smooth; lower
ones 3-4 inches long. Petals yellow. Siliques 2-3 inches long, slender.
Gardens : cultivated. Fl. May -June. Fr. July -Aug.

44 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. This plant, a native of Canada, and the country further north,
is cultivated in the gardens, near Philadelphia, under the name of
" Scurvy-Grass," and is becoming spontaneous farther south. The
leaves afford a tolerable salad, but not equal to the common cress (Lepi-
dium sativum, L.,) nor to the Water-cress (Nasturtium officinale, R. Br.)
There is another and stouter species (B. vulgar is, R. Br., probably
naturalized), growing along our streams, which is sometimes used as a
salad, but it is bitterish and inferior in quality to this.

3. SISYM'BRIUM, L. HEDGE-MUSTARD.

[An ancient Greek name, applied to this genus.]

Silique somewhat terete ; 4-6 sided ; valves 1 - 3-nerved. Seeds
oblong, marginless. Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves various.

L S. officina'le, Scop. Lower leaves runcinate, upper ones some-
what hastate ; racemes slender and virgate ; siliques erect, awl-shaped,
close pressed to the stem.
OFFICINAL SISYMBRIUM. Hedge-mustard.
Fr. Herbe au Chantre. Germ. Der Hederich. Span. Jaramago.

Root annual. Stem 1 -3 or 4 feet high, with spreading branches. Leaves pilose ; lower
ones 3-6 or 8 inches long. Petals small, greenish yellow. Siliques terete-subulate or
somewhat nerved and angular, tapering at apex.

Cultivated grounds, lanes and road-sides : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May -
Aug. Fr. Aug. - Oct.

Obs. This foreigner is completely naturalized, and somewhat trouble-
some as a weed. It was formerly held in some repute, in Europe, as a
remedy for coughs, the hoarseness of singers, &c. (whence its French
name) ; but its virtues were doubtless overrated, and it is now regarded
by tidy farmers in this country merely as a plant to be expelled from
their premises.

4. BRAS 'SIC A, L. CABBAGE. TURNIP.

[Supposed to be from Bresic, the Celtic name for the Cabbage.]

Calyx erect. Silique sub- terete ; valves concave, or slightly keeled by
a central nerve. Seeds in a single series, globose. Foreign plants :
mostly biennial herbs, with a short stem and long flowering branches.

1. B. olera'cea, L. Leaves somewhat fleshy, orbicular or oblong,
strongly veined, repand or lobed, glabrous and glaucous.
OLERACEOUS OR POT-HERB BRASSICA. Cabbage.
Fr. Chou potager. Germ. Der Kohl. Span. Berza.

The following Sub-species or Varieties are more or less cultivated in
the kitchen garden.

MUSTARD FAMILY. 45

*Racemes paniculate.

Sub-species ACEPH'ALA. Stem elongated ; leaves expanded, not form-
ing a head.

Tree Cabbage. Bore-Cole. Headless Cabbage.

Sub-species, BULLA'TA. Stem somewhat elongated ; young leaves sub-
capitate, finally expanding, bullate or crisped.
Savoy Cabbage. Curled Cabbage.

Sub-species CAPITA'TA. Stem short; leaves concave, not bullate,
densely imbricated in a head before flowering.
Head Cabbage. York Cabbage.

Sub-species CAULO EA'PA. Stem with an oval or subglobose fleshy
enlargement at the origin of the leaves.
Bulb-stalked Cabbage. Kohl Rabi.

**Racemes corymbose.

Sub-species BOTRY'TIS. Leaves oblong, connivent, peduncles short,
fleshy and coalesced in a head before flowering ; flowers often abortive.
Var. a. CAULIFLO'RA. Stem short ; heads thick, compact.
Cauliflower.

Var. b. ASPARAGOI'DES. Stem taller ; leaves elongated ; heads some-
what branched ; branches fleshy at apex, bearing clusters of abortive
flower buds.

Broccoli.

Biennial. Stem, 6 inches to 1 -2 feet high, branching the second year from the summit,
or head of imbricated leaves. Leaves large (6-12 or 18 inches in length) , suborbicular or
oblong. Racemes long, loose. Petals greenish or citron yellow.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Fl. May -June. Fr. July.

Obs. The forms above enumerated, although known by distinct
popular names and in their cultivated state widely different in appear-
ance, are all believed to be varieties of BRASSICA OLERACEA, L., a native
of the British Isles and the shores of northern Europe. They strikingly
illustrate the changes which are produced in species by cultivation and
the permanence of some varieties and races. They also give us instruct-
ive lessons in the economy of vegetable life. In the several kinds known
as cabbage (a name derived from the Latin caput, a head, through the
French Cabus), the first year is passed in producing foliage and in
accumulating in the thick leaves and stem a supply of nutriment for the
growth of the plant the following year. If it is allowed to make its
second year's growth, branches are thrown up which develop with great
rapidity, and produce an abundance of flowers and fruit. This growth
takes place mainly at the expense of the material contained in the
leaves and stem, and we find that the large leaves are soon exhausted of
their nourishment and decay, and that the stem, which was before solid and

46 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

heavy, becomes light and spongy. Frequently the stems or stumpsj from
which the heads have been removed, are set out in gardens for the pur-
pose of procuring a crop of sprouts or " greens." These are lateral
branches, developed from axillary buds, and they will be found to
start from just above the scars left by the fallen outer leaves. In the
Kohl Rabi, the stem is the principal place of deposit of nutriment, and
becomes consequently the eatable portion. In the cauliflower we eat the
fleshy flower stalks and undeveloped buds, which are crowded together
in a compact mass ; it is the same also in the Broccoli, where the parts
are more developed. *

2. B. CAMPES'TRIS, L. Leaves slightly fleshy, glaucous ; the young lower
leaves lyrate, dentate, somewhat hispid or ciliate ; those above amplexi-
caul and acuminate.

FIELD BRASSICA. Turnip. Rutabaga, &c.

Biennial or annual. Root thick, turnip-shaped, depressed or orbicular, fleshy. Stem 1
-4 feet high, branched above. Racemes loose. Petals yellow.
Gardens and lots : cultivated. Fl. June. Fr. July -August.

The following are the principal varieties found in cultivation :

Sub-species NAPO-BRAS'SICA. Root tumid, turnip-shaped.
Var. a. COMMU'NIS. Root white or purplish, with the summit and peti-
oles greenish or purplish.
Turnip-rooted Cabbage.

Var. b. RUTABA'GA. Root yellowish, subglobose.
Rutabaga. Swedish Turnip.

Sub-species RA'PA. Root depressed-globose abruptly contracted beneath.
Common Turnip.

06s. The Turnip has, like the Cabbage, by long cultivation, produced
a number of marked varieties ; these were formerly considered to belong
to different species, but the best authorities regard them all as forms of
B. CAMPESTRIS, L., which is found growing spontaneously from the Bal-
tic to the Caucasus. Besides those above enumerated as valuable for
their roots, another variety (var. OLEIFERA) is largely cultivated in
France and other parts of Europe, for the sake of the oil, which its
seeds afford ; this, under the name of Colza oil, is used for burning in
lamps, the manufacture of soaps and other purposes. As this oil is im-
ported into this country to a considerable extent, it might be advisable
for farmers to ascertain if it cannot be profitably produced on our own
soil. The various kinds of Turnips are largely cultivated in the tem-
perate portions of Europe as food for stock, but the farmers of the
United States having the advantage of the Indian Corn crop, do not
much incline to the Root culture; perhaps not so much as might be
beneficial to Stock during our long winters.

MUSTARD FAMILY. 47

5. SINA'PIS, Tournef. MUSTARD.

[A name of uncertain meaning ; derived from the Greek.]

Calyx spreading. Silique sub-terete, with a short beak (which is either
empty or 1-seeded) ; valves nerved. Seeds in a single series, subglobose.
Annual or biennial herbs — nearly allied to Brassica. Lower leaves usu-
ally lyrate, incised or piunatifid. Flowers in elongated racemes.

1. S. ni'gra, L. Lower leaves lyrate and scabrous ; upper ones narrow
and entire ; siliques somewhat 4-angled, smooth, appressed to the stem.
BLACK SINAPIS. Mustard. Black Mustard.

Fr. Moutarde noire. Germ. Schwarzer Senf. Span. Mostazo.

Root annual. Stem 3- 6 feet high, much branched, smooth. Leaves petiolate. Ra-
cemes slender. Petals greenish yellow. Seeds numerous, small, dark brown.

Gardens and waste places : introduced from Europe. Cultivated in some districts. Fl.
June -July. Fr. August.

2. S. AL'BA, L. Leaves all pinnatifid ; siliques hispid, spreading, scarce-
ly as long as the sword-shaped 1-seeded beak.

WHITE SINAPIS. White Mustard.

Fr. Moutarde blanche. Germ. Weisser Senf. Span. Mostazo bianco.

Root annual. ^Stem 2-5 feet high, rather stout, branched. Leaves petiolate, lyrately
pseudo-pinnate, the terminal segment large and 3-lobed. Petals rather large, yellow.
Seeds few, larger than in the preceding species, pale brown.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. August.

06s. These two species, known as Black and White Mustard, from
the color of the seeds, are naturalized in many places, having escaped
from gardens, where they are cultivated for their foliage, which is used
as " greens," but especially for their seeds. The condiment known as
Mustard or Flour of Mustard is prepared by grinding the seeds and
sifting out the husks, both the white and black being used indiscrimi-
nately ; the powder from the latter is the most pungent, but the other
affords the handsomest product. The skin of the White Mustard seeds
contains a large amount of mucilaginous matter which is dissolved out
by boiling water. The seeds are sometimes administered whole as a
remedy in dyspepsia, &c. It is worthy of remark, that the pungency of
mustard is only developed when mixed with water : if the dry seeds are
expressed they yield a mild oil which has scarcely any taste of mustard.
A small quantity of sulphur is contained in Mustard, and in Turnips
also ; it is this which causes the blackening of a silver spoon when used
in serving either of these articles.

3. S. arvcn'sis, L. Pods smooth, knotty, about twice the length of the
conical 2-edged usually empty beak ; upper leaves merely toothed.
FIELD SINAPIS. Wild Mustard. Charlock.

Annual. Stem 2-3 feet high, diffusely branched and somewhat rough with short retrorse
hairs. Lower leaves large, 6 inches or more in length, lyrate pinnatifid. Flowers bright
yellow about the size of those of the common turnip. Pod about an inch long and pointed
with the stout beak.

Fields New York and westward. Native of Europe. June- Augr.Ft.

48

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. This is an exceedingly troublesome weed in Europe, and is be-
coming so in some portions of this country. It infests those grounds
which are best suited to grain-culture ; as the seeds retain their vitality
for a long time it is very difficult to eradicate it when once established.

In this, as in other cases, the plant should be destroyed before the seed
is formed ; as sheep are fond of the herbage they are sometimes turned
into a field to destroy the crop of Charlock.

6. ARMOR A' 01 A, Rupp. HORSERADISH.

[Name from one of the Greek names for Radish.]

Pod (pouch) elliptical or globose ; the valves turgid, not nerved.
Petals white, much longer than the calyx. Seeds • numerous. Leaves
undivided or the lower ones pinnatifid.

1. A. ru$tica'na,Rupp. Radical leaves on long petioles, oblong, crenate,

rarely pinnatifid ; those of the stem lanceolate.

RUSTIC .ARMORACIA. Horseradish.

Fr. Moutarde des Capucins. Germ. Der Meer-Rettig. Span. Rabano.

Root perennial, long, terete, fleshy white, very acrid. Stem 2-3 feet high, angular -
striate, smooth, with erect axillary branches. Radical leaves large (8-15 inches long —
somewhat resembling those of a Dock, or Rumex) ; petioles 4 - 12 inches long. Racemes
corymbose, elongating. Petals white. Silicles oval, usually abortive.

Gardens: margins of ditches, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May -June.
Fr. June -July.

FIG. 21. Field Mustard (Sinapis arvensis), illustrating the general appearance of flowers
in this family. 22. An enlarged flower opened to show the unequal stamens. 23. A pod.

MUSTARD FAMILY.

49

06s. The pungent root of this plant is a favorite condiment, — and one
of the most valuable antiscorbutics. It requires little or no culture ;
but thrives best in a moist, rich, deep soil.

7. CAMELI'NA, Crantz. FALSE FLAX.

[Greek, Chamai, dwarf, and Linon, flax ; from a fancied resemblance.]

Pod (pouch) obovoid or pear-shaped, pointed, turgid ; valves 1-nerved ;
cells many-seeded.

A.M.

1. C. sati'va, Crantz. Leaves sessile, oblong-lanceolate, nearly entire,
sagittate at base ; silicles margined, mucronate with the longish sub-
conical style.

FIG. 24. False Flax (Camelina saliva), upper portion of a branch in fruit. 25. An
enlarged capsule.

50 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

CULTIVATED CAMELINA. Wild Flax. Gold of Pleasure.

Fr. Cameline cultivee. Germ. Der Leindotter. Span. Miagro.

Root annual, fusiform, rather slender. Stem 18 inches to 2 or three feet high, simple,
pauiculately branching at summit, roughish-pubescent below, smoothish above. Leaves
1-3 or 4 inches long ; the lower ones longest and often somewhat spatulate or oblance-
olate ; those above gradually smaller and smoother, sagittate with acute subamplexicaul
lobes at base ; pubescence of the lower leaves and stem often branched or bifurcate.
Racemes corymbose-paniculate, elongating ; pedicels half an inch to an inch long, without
bracts. Petals pale yellow, rather small, cuneate or obovate-oblong, obtuse. SiUcles
about one-fourth of an inch long, with a keel-like margin on each side ; style about half as
long as the silicle, persistent, finally splitting with fhe dehiscent valves. Seeds reddish
yellow.

Cultivated fields: among wheat, flax, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May-
June. Fr. July

Obs. This was introduced with Flax, and remains as a weed where
the culture of that plant has been abandoned. It was formerly a popu-
lar notion that the plant was a kind of transmuted or degenerate Flax,
and is spoken of by the older writers as Pseudo Linum (False Flax).
Such errors as this and the one that Wheat degenerates into Chess
would no longer hold a place among agriculturists, did they but prop-
erly inform themselves concerning the objects among which their
lives are passed.

8. CAPSEL'LA, Vent. SHEPHERD'S P.URSE.

[Diminutive of the Latin, Capsula, a capsule ; in allusion to the fruit.]

Pod (pouch) inversely triangular-heart-shaped ; valves boat-shaped,
coriaceous, not winged ; cells many-seeded. Flowers small, in elongat-
ing racemes.

1. C. Bursa-pdstoris, Moench. Radical leaves mostly pinnatifid ;
stem-leaves lanceolate, arrow-shaped, sessile.

SHEPHERD'S PURSE CAPSELLA. Shepherd's Purse. [Pastor.

Fr. Bourse de Pasteur. Germ. Die Hirten-tasche. Span. Bolsa de

Root annual. Stem 3 or 4-18 inches high, more or less hirsute, and often branched.
Radical leaves 2 or 3-6 or 8 inches long. Racemes at first corymbose, finally elongated.
Petals white.

Fields and road-sides: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. April -September. Fr.
June - October.

Obs. This worthless little intruder is found in almost every field ; and
is sometimes so abundant as to be rather a nuisance. Such small
weeds, however, can generally be suppressed by careful culture, and in-
ducing a vigorous growth of more useful plants.

9. LEPID'IUM, R. Br. PEPPERGRASS.

Pod (pouch) roundish, flattened contrary to the narrow partition, usually
notched at the apex ; the valves boat-shaped and keeled. Seeds 1 in
each cell. Flowers small, white. Stamens often only 2.

MUST A ED FAMILY.

51

1. L. SATI'VUM, L. Leaves oblong, variously incised and pinnatifid ;

silicles elliptic-ovate, winged and notched at apex.

CULTIVATED LEPIDIUM. Pepper-grass. Tongue-grass.

Fr. Cresson Alenois. Germ. Die Garten-Kresse. Span. Lepidio.

Fu;. 26. Shepherd's Purse (Capsella Bursa-pastoris).
pouch) with one of the valves removed.

27. An enlarged pod (silicic or

52 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Root annual. Stem 9-18 inches high, smooth, glaucous, corymbosely branched above.
Leaves 1 - 3 inches long, deeply divided into linear or cuneate segments. Petals white.
Seeds compressed.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Persia. Fl. June -July. Fr. August.

Obs. A. pleasant antiscorbutic Cress, frequent in Gardens.

2. L. Virgin 'icum, L. Pods orbicular, wingless, notched at the apex ;
upper leaves linear lanceolate, toothed ; stamens 2.

VIRGINIAN LEPIDIUM. Wild Pepper-grass.

Annual. Stem a foot or more high, paniculately branched above, minutely pubescent.
Flowers especially late in the season, minute. Pods on spreading pedicels.
Common. June -September.

Obs. This common weed is a native of the southern portion of our
country, and is abundantly naturalized in many parts of Europe — thus
making a partial return for the abundant supply of weeds which has
crossed the ocean to our shores. It is very frequent in dry fields and
along road-sides. The reddish-brown seeds are sometimes found among
clover seed, and excite apprehension of some pernicious intruder ; but
although a worthless little weed, if there be nothing worse among clover
seed, the farmer need not be alarmed. L. ruderale, L., with oval and
smaller pods and no petals, and L. campestre, L., with winged pods
roughened with minute scales, are European species which areas yet but
sparingly naturalized.

10. RAPHA'NUS, L. EADISH.

[Greek, JRa, quickly, and phaino, to appear from its quick germination.]

Pod elongated, 2 - many-celled by corky transverse partitions. Style
long. Seeds in a single series, globose. Annuals or biennials, with yel-
lowish, whitish or purple flowers.

1. R. SATI'VUS, L. Lower leaves lyrate, petiolate ; upper ones ovate-
oblong, serrate, subhastate-lobed at base, subsessile ; petals purple and
greenish white ; siliques terete, torulose, acuminate, scarcely longer than
the pedicels, many-celled by corky false partitions.
CULTIVATED RAPHANUS. Radish. Garden Radish.
Fr. Radis. Raifort. Germ. Der Rettig. Span. Rabano.
The following varieties are usually cultivated :

FIG. 28. Cultivated Radish (Raphanus sativus), opened to exhibit the cellular partitions.

MUSTARD FAMILY.

53

Sub-species EADICULA. Eoot more or less fleshy, tender, white or red.

Var. a. rotunda. Koot subglobose. Turnip-radish.

Far. b. oblonga. Root oblong or fusiform. Common Radish.

Sub-species NIGER. Root fleshy, solid and firm, more or less acrid, black
externally, white within.

FIG. 29. Wild R.idish (Raphanus Raphanistnim), reduced.

54 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

Var. a. oblongiif. Root oblong.
Var. b. rotundus. Root subglobose.
Black Turnip-radish. Spanish Radish.

Annual. Stem 1-3 feet high, sparsely hispid, branched. Leaves 8-12 or 15 inches
long, hispid. Siliques with fungous or suberose partitions. Seeds few, large.
Gardens, &c. : cultivated. Native of China. Fl. June -September. Fr. July -October.

Obs. The tender fleshy root of this plant is an universal favorite at
table, in early spring, and is found in every garden ; where, by succes-
sive planting, it may be produced all summer. To produce the root in
perfection, a rich mellow soil and a wet season are requisite. It is
somewhat spontaneous in some places, the seed having escaped from
gardens.

2. JR. Raphamstrum, L. Pod long-beaked, 2-jointed ; the lower joint often
seedless and stalk-like ; the upper one necklace-form by constriction be-
tween the seeds, with no proper partition ; flowers yellow, turning white
or purplish.
Wild Radish. Jointed Charlock.

Root annual, long and tapering. Lower leaves lyrate, the upper lobe large and rounded ;
the upper leaves lanceolate, sinuate-dentate, all rough with bristly hairs.
Fields especially eastward. July -September.

Obs. Naturalized from Europe, and a troublesome weed in New Eng-
land and New York State, and extending westward.

ORDER VII. HYPERICA'CE^E. (ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY.)

Herbs or shrubs, with a resinous juice. Leaves opposite, entire, without stipules, punctate
with black or pellucid dots. Flowers regular. Calyx of 4-5 persistent sepals, the 2
outer ones often smaller. Petals 4-5, convolute in the bud, often sprinkled with black
dots. Stamens usually numerous and united in 3 or more clusters. Capsule with septici-
dal dehiscence, many-seeded. Seeds destitute of albumen.

An order containing but few genera ; and those of little interest to the Agriculturist, —
with the exception of the obnoxious species here noticed.

1. HYPER'ICUM, L. ST. JOHN'S-WORT.

[A name of obscure derivation and meaning.]

Sepals 5. Petals 5, oblique or unequal-sided. Stamens mostly numer-
ous ; the filaments united at base in 3 - 5 parcels. Styles 3-5, per-
sistent, sometimes united. Capsule membranaceous, 3-celled by the pla-
centae meeting at the axis. Herbaceous or shrubby. Flowers cymose.

1. H. perfora'tum, L. Herbaceous ; stem somewhat two-edged ; leaves

linear-elliptic, rather obtuse, sessile, pellucid punctate ; flowers in leafy

paniculate corymbs ; petals and anthers with dark purple dots ; styles 3,

long, diverging.

PERFORATED HYPERICUM. St. John's-wort.

Fr. Milbpcrtuis. Germ. Das Johannes kraut. Span. Corazoncillo.

ST. JOHN'S-WORT FAMILY.

55

Root perennial. Stein herbaceous but finally hard, 1-2 feet high, often several from
the same root, corymbosely branched. Leaves half an inch to an inch and a half long.
Petals yellow or orange-colored.

Fields and pastures: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June -September. Fr.
July - October.

Obs. This is a worthless and rather troublesome weed on our farms ;
and ought to be diligently excluded. Some 40 or 50 years ago, it was
very common for cattle — especially white cows, and horses with white
feet and noses — to be affected with cutaneous ulcers during the pasture
season ; and those sores were universally and confidently attributed to
the St. Johris-wort. In those days, I never doubted the fact, myself :
but I must in candor add, that, although the plant continues to be

31

abundant in our pastures, I have not noticed any such sores for a num-
ber of years past. Was the affection ascribed to a wrong source ? and
has the real cause ceased to exist ? The flowers and leaves are evidently
somewhat resinous ; and a tincture of them has held a place among
popular remedies for disorders of the stomach and bowels. It is
worthy of remark, that in the year 1842, the St. John's-wort totally
failed to make its appearance (in Chester County — and I believe
throughout Pennsylvania,) even in fields where it had previously
abounded. The succeeding year it was quite rare ;' but it has since
become as common as ever, ip neglected fields. The cause of that total
though temporary, disappearance of a perennial-rooted plant, is as ob-
scure as tin fact 'is carious.

FIG. 30. St. John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum), summit of a flowering branch. 31.
An enlarged flower showing 'the clustered stamens. 32. A magnified pod. 33. The
same divided crosswise.

56 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

This plant is called St. John's-wort, because it was supposed, in olden
times, to have the power of keeping off evil spirits, which were supposed
to be particularly busy on St. John's night. It is said that the custom
is still followed, in the retired parts of the Pyrenees, of hanging gar-
lands of the herb over the doors to preserve the inmates of the house
from " storms, thunder, heretics, and other evil spirits."

ORDER VIII. CARYOPHYLLA'CE^E. (PINK FAMILY.)

Herbs, with stems tumid at the nodes or joints, with opposite, often connate, entire leaves,
usually without stipules, and mostly regular flowers. Calyx of 4 - 5 sepals, distinct or more
or less cohering — often united into a tube. Corolla of 4 - 5 petals— or sometimes wanting.
Stamens as many — or commonly twice as many — as the petals. Styles, or stigmas, 2-5.
Capsule 2-5-valved — or opening only at apex by twice as many teeth or valve-points as
stigmas. Seeds curved, mostly numerous : embryo coiled around the outside of mealy
albumen

An Order, comprising about 30 genera, and a great number of species, — some of them
(such as the Pinks) are very pretty and fragrant : but none of agricultural value.

The greater number of the representatives of the family growing wild, with us. are
weeds which, with few exceptions, are not very troublesome, but as several are very
frequent in cultivated lands and are likely to attract the notice of farmers, descriptions of
the most common ones are given.

§1. PINK SUB-FAMILY. Sepals united into a tubular calyx. Petals 5, each with a long
slender claw and with the stamens borne on the stalk of the ovary. Pod opening at the
apex.

Calyx with leafy lobes, which are longer than the petals. Styles 5. 1. AGROSTEMMA.
Calyx without leafy lobes, cylindrical, even. Styles 2. 2. SAPONARIA.

{) 2. CHICKWEED SUB-FAMILY. Sepals distinct or nearly so. Petals (some-
times wanting) without claws, inserted with .the stamens at the base of
sessile ovary. Pod splitting into valves or opening by teeth, few -
many-seeded.

Pod 3-celled, many-seeded. Petals none. 3. MOLLUGO.

Podl-celled. Styles 3 -5.
Stipules none.

Styles 5. Petals 5. Pod opening by 10 teeth. 4. CERASTIUM.

Styles 3-4. Pod splitting into valves. 5. STELLARIA.

Leaves with scaly' stipules.

Styles 5. Leaves thread-like, whorled. 6. SPERGULA.

1. AGEOSTEM'MA, L. CORN-COCKLE.

[Name from the Greek, meaning crown of the field.]

Calyx tubular, without scales at the base, with 5 long leaf-like teeth
which fall off in fruiting. Petals 5, not crowned at the throat. Stamens
10. Styles 5. Pod opening at the top by 5 teeth. Annual or biennial.
1. A. Githa'go, L. Hairy ; leaves lance-linear, acute ; petals obovate
emarginate. .

GITH-LIKE AGROSTEMMA. Corn-cockle. Rose-campion.

Fr. La Nielle des Bles. Germ. Gemeine Bade. Span. Neguillon.

Plant clothed with long apprcssed hairs. Root annual. Stem 2-4 feet high, branched
above. Leaves 3-5 inches long. Peduncles terminal, 4-8 or 10 inches long. Pdals red-
dish or pale violet-purple. Capsule ovoid. Seeds numerous, muricately ribbed, purplish-
black.

Cultivated grounds — chiefly among wheat and rye : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl.
June Fr. July.

PINK FAMILY.

57

Obs. This foreign weed (specifically named Githago, from its fancied
resemblance to " Gith," or Guinea Pepper), though diligently rooted out
by all neat farmers, obstinately maintains its ground in our grain fields.

The rough black seeds, when abundant among wheat (and their size
makes it difficult to separate them from it), are injurious to the quality
and appearance of the manufactured flour.

" FIG. 34. Corn-cockle (Agrostcrama Githago), reduced. 35. A pod with the enclosing
calyx divided lengthwise, a A seed.

58 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

2. SAPONA'RIA, L. SOAPWORT.

[Latin, Sapo, soap ; its mucilage affording a substitute for that article.]

Calyx tubular, 5-toothed, naked at the base. Stamens 10. Styles 2.
Capsule short-stalked opening with 4 teeth at the apex. Embryo coiled
into a ring.

1. S. qfficina'lis, L. Leaves oval-lanceolate ; flowers in corymbose
clusters ; petals crowned with an appendage at the top of the claw.
OFFICINAL SAPONARIA. Soapwort. Bouncing Bet.

Perennial. Stem 12-18 inches high. Leaves 1%- 3 inches long. Flowers large, pale
rose color, often double.
Waste places. Native of Europe . July -Sept.

Obs. A conspicuous weed, spreading by the root and forming large
bunches near buildings and giving a slovenly appearance to the farm.
The plant has been employed medicinally in Europe, as a substitute for
Sarsaparilla in diseases of the skin.

FIG. 36. Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis).

PINK FAMILY. 59

3. MOLLU'GO, L. CARPET-WEED.

[An old Latin name, coined from mollis, soft.]

Sepals 5, white within. Petals none. Stamens 3-5, hypogynous.
Stigmas 3. Pod 3-celled, 3-valved, many-seeded. Diffusely branched
prostrate annuals.

1. M. verticilla'ta, L. Prostrate and dichotomously branched ; leaves

spatulate, in whorls ; peduncles axillary, 1-flowered, forming umbel-like

clusters.

VERTICILLATE MOLLUGO. Carpet-weed. Indian Chickweed.

Stem branching in all directions, forming patches a foot or more in diameter. Leaves
somewhat succulent, about an inch long, usually in whorls of 6.
Cultivated grounds, common. June -Sept.

06s. A very common little weed in cultivated grounds, especially
where the soil is sandy, throughout the country.

4. CERASTIUM, L. MOUSE-EAR CHICKWEED.

[Greek, Keras, a horn ; from the shape of the capsules.]

Sepals 5. Petals 5, 2-lobed. Stamens 5-10. Styles as many as the
sepals and opposite them. Capsule longer than the calyx, opening at
the apex by 10 teeth and many-seeded. Flowers white.

1. C. vulga'tum, L. Very hairy ; leaves ovate or obovate, obtuse ;
sepals longer than the pedicels ; capsule slightly curved, twice as long
as the calyx.

COMMON CERASTIUM. Mouse-ear Chickweed.

Annual or biennial. Stems 5-10 inches long. Leaves about half an inch long.

2. C. visco'sum, L. Pubescent and clammy, leaves oblong ; sepals
shorter than the pedicels ; capsule one half longer than the calyx.
CLAMMY CERASTIUM. Larger Mouse-ear Chickweed.

Perennial or biennial. Stems 6-15 inches long, spreading. Leaves % an inch to an
inch long.

Obs, Common in pastures and on the borders of fields ; both natives
of Europe. In flower from May - July.

5. STELLA'RIA, L. CHICKWEED.

[Latin, Stella, a star ; from the star-like flowers.]

Sepals 5. Petals 5, deeply 2-cleft. Stamens 10 or fewer. Styles 3-4.
Capsule opening by twice as many valves as styles. Flowers white.
1. S. me'dia, Smith. Stems procumbent, with an alternating pubescent
line ; leaves ovate, the lower on hairy petioles ; petals shorter than the
calyx ; stamens 3-10.
MIDDLE STELLARIA. Chickweed.

60

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Leaves % an

Annual or biennial. Stems 8-15 inches long, dichotomously branching.
Inch to an inch long. Peduncles axillary. 1-flowered.
Common . Native of Europe .

Obs, This little plant, so common around dwellings, is found in
almost every part of the world. It is exceedingly hardy, and may be
found in flower even in the winter months ; wherever the snow melts
away the little star-like flowers appear. During the warmer months the
flowers are much less conspicuous, the ovary being usually fertilized

without the flowers expanding. In damp cold soils it is sufficiently
abundant to be troublesome, and sometimes occupies the soil to the
exclusion of everything else. It is often given to canary and other cage
birds. *

6. SPER'GULA, L. SPURREY.

[Name from the Latin, Spargo, to scatter.]

Sepals 5. Petals 5, entire. Stamens 5-10. Styles 5. Capsule 5-valved,
valves opposite the sepals. Seeds orbicular with a narrow margin. Low
herbs with narrow whorled leaves and minute stipules.
1. S. arvensis, L. Leaves linear and thread-like, many in a whorl ;

FIG. 37. Chickweed (Stellaria media). 38. An enlarged flower. 39. A petal.

PINK FAMILY.

61

stipules minute ; inflorescence loosely cymose ; pedicels reflcxed in fruit ;

seeds rough.

FIELD SPERGULA. Corn Spurrey. Tares.

Annual. Stems about a foot long, erect or spreading. Leaves 1-2 inches long. Pedicels
nearly an inch long, reflexed in fruit. Petals white, rather longer than the ovate sepals.
Capsule about the size of a small pea. Seeds blackish.

Fields. Native of Europe. May -Oct.

O.'s. This is only known as a weed with us. In some parts of Europe
it is cultivated as a forage plant ; cattle are said to be very fond of it,
and sheep thrive remarkably well upon it.

FIG. 40. Spurroy (Spcrgula arvcnsis).

02 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

ORDER IX. PORTULACA'CE^E. (PURSLANE FAMILY.)

Succulent or fleshy herbs, with regular, unsymmetrical, axillary or terminal, usually
ephemeral powers. Calyx mostly of 2 sepals, often united below and adhering to the base
of the ovary. Petals 5, or rarely more numerous. Stamens variable in number, oppo-
site the petals when of the same number. Styles 2 -8, united below. Capsule 1 -celled ;
placenta central. Seeds mostly numerous , curved ; embryo coiled around mealy albumen.
There are some 30 genera in the Order — of which the plant here noticed is the type.
They are, however, of little or no interest to the farmer.

1. PORTULA'CA, Tournef. PURSLANE.

[A name of obscure and uncertain derivation.]

Sepals 2, partly united, and adherent to the base of the ovary, — the
upper portion finally circumscissed and deciduous. Petals mostly 5, in-
serted on the calyx. Stamens 8-15 or 20. Stigmas 3-8. Cap-
sule subglobose, circumscissed. Leaves scattered, often whorled near the
flowers.

41

1. P. olera'cea, L. Prostrate, smooth; leaves oblong-cuneate, obtuse,

fleshy ; flowers sessile, opening only in the morning sun.

POT-HERB PORTULACA. Purslane.

Fr. Pourpier potager. Germ. Gemeiner Portulak. Span. Verdolaga.

Root annual. Stem 6-12 or 15 inches long, fleshy, smooth, prostrate, branching and
radicating. Leaves half an inch to an inch long, alternate and opposite. Petals pale yellow.

Gardens and cultivated grounds. Native of Europe and India. Fl. July -August. Fr.
September.

Obs. This plant, though said to be indigenous in the far west, has
every appearance of being a naturalized stranger with us. It was often

FIG. 41. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea). 42. A pod, opening transversely. '

MALLOW FAMILY. 63

used formerly, as a pot-herb ; but is now generally superseded by better
ones, — and is, indeed, only entitled to notice, here, as a troublesome
weed in gardens. P. grandiflora, P. Gillesii and others, having terete
leaves, hairy axils and showy flowers are now common in gardens ; they
are known in some places as " Wax Pinks ;;' they become quite perma-
nently established where they are once introduced and will doubtless
become weeds wherever they escape from cultivation.

OEDER X. MALTA' CEJE. (MALLOW FAMILY.)

Herbs or shrubs, with alternate, palmatcly- veined leaves furnished with stipules. Flmws
regular, mostly large, often with an involucel forming a double calyx. Calyx rtlbstly of
5 sepals, more or less united at base. Petals as many as the sepals, convolute in the
bud. Stamens monadelphous, often indefinite ; anthers reniform, 1-celled. Styles as many
as the carpels, distinct or united below. Fruit capsular, or the carpels separate or separa-
ble. Seeds with little albumen ; cotyledons foliaceous, plicate and twisted. Mucilaginous
plants with a tough bark.

An Order comprising about 30 genera, and numerous species — some of them showy and
handsome. They are generally remarkable for their mucilaginous and demulcent prop-
erties : but the Cotton plant is preeminently interesting to the American people — both as
yielding the great staple of the exports from the Southern States, and of the manufacture*
of the NTor them States. There are, however, but few other plants of Agricultural im-
portance belonging to the Order.

\ 1. Anthers at the top of the column of united filaments. Cells of the
fruit united in a ring around a central axis from which they fall
away when ripe.

Involucel present. Carpels 1-seeded.

Involucel 6- 9-par ted. Plant soft downy. 1. ALTILEA.

Involucel 3-leaved. 2. MALVA.

Involucel none. Carpels 1- several-seeded.

Seeds one in each cell. 3. Sn>A.

Seeds 2-9 in each cell. 4. ABUTILON.

§ 2. Anthers along the sides of the upper part of the column of united
filaments. Pod of 3-5 cells, splitting into as many valves.
Involucel of many thread-shaped leaves.

Calyx splitting down one side when the flower opens. Pod

long. 5. ABELMOSCHUS.

Calyx not splitting down one side. Pod short. Seeds naked. 6. HIBISCUS.
Involucel of 3 heart-shaped, toothed leaves. Seeds bearing
long wool. 7. GOSSYPII-M

1. ALTH^E'A, L. MARSH-MALLOW.

[Greek, Altho, to heal ; from its reputed virtues.]

Involucel 6-9 cleft. Fruit depressed, consisting of numerous 1-seeded,
round-kidney shaped, indehiscent carpels, arranged in a ring around a
central axis.

1. A. officina'lii, L. Leaves ovate or somewhat heart-shaped, often 3-lobed,
velvety ; peduncles axillary, many-flowered.

OFFICINAL ALTH^A. Marsh-mallow.

Perennial. Root fusiform. Stem 2-4 feet high, erect. Leaves 2-4 inches lone with
petioles about half their length. Flowers pale rose color, sub-paniculate.
Cultivated, and spontaneous in salt marshes. July -September.

Obs. The Marsh-mallow is a native of Europe, and is sometimes,

64

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

cultivated ; it has become naturalized along the coast of New England
and Long Island. The whole plant, especially the root, contains a great
deal of mucilage, and is employed by European physicians for poultices
apd such purposes as Slippery Elm bark is used with us. ALTH^A
ROSEA is the common Hollyhock of the gardens, many varieties of which
are cultivated for ornament.

2. MAL'VA, L. MALLOW.

[Latinized from the Greek, Malache, soft ; in allusion to its emollient nature.]

Involuted of 3 oblong or setaceous bracts. Carpels several, dry, inde-
hisceat, arranged in a circle round the axis, as in Althaea.

1. M. ROTUNDIFO'LIA, L. Stem herbaceous, prostrate ; leaves cordate-
orbicular, obscurely lobed, crenate-toothed ; pedicels axillary, 1 -flowered,
declined in fruit.

EOUND-LEAVED MALVA. Running Mallows. Low Mallows.
Fr. Petite Mauve. Germ. Rundblaettrige Malve. Span. Malva de
hoja redonda.

Root perennial. Stem 1 - 2 or 3 feet long, branching only at base or from the root. Leaves
1 -2 or 3 inches in diameter, obscurely 5-7-lobcd ; petioles 2-6 or 8 inches long. Flowers
small ; bracts linear. Petals twice as long as the calyx, reddish white with purple veins.

Yards, gardens and lots : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May -September. Fr.
July -October.

FIG. 43. Common Mallow (Malva rotund ifolia), a flower. 44. A leaf. 45. An enlarged
flower with the petals removed to display the column of united stamens. 46. A ring of
united carpels, forming the fruit and a separate carpel.

MALLOW FAMILY. 65

Obs. This foreigner is extensively naturalized ; and although some-
what popular as an ingredient in cataplasms and demulcent drinks, is
generally regarded as an unwelcome intruder in yards and gardens.
M. Sylvestris, L., with an erect branching stem, 2-3 feet high and much
larger flowers, is naturalized in Western New York. The Curled Mal-
low (M. crispa] is found in old gardens.

3. SI'DA, L. SIDA.

[The ancient Greek name.]

Involucel none. Calyx 5-cleft. Petals usually oblique. Styles 5 or more.
Fruit when ripe separating into as many 1 -seeded carpels as there are
styles, which usually become 2-valved at the summit and at length sepa-
rate from the axis. Embryo bent with the radicle pointing upwards.

1 . S. spino'sa, L. Leaves ovate, lanceolate or oblong with a tubercle at
the base of the petiole.

SPINOSE SIDA.

Annual. Stem 10-18 inches long, low and branched. Leaves about 2 Inches long, ser-
,te, petioled. Peduncles axillary, solitary, 1-flowered, shorter than the petioles, articu-
ted near the yellow flower.
Road -sides and waste places ; more common southward. Native of India.v July - August.

4. ABU'TILON, Tournef. INDIAN-MALLOW.

[A name supposed to be derived from the Arabs.]

Carpels numerous, cohering and forming a compound capsule, spreading
at the summit where each splits open along the inner edge, scarcely
separating at maturity. Seeds 2 - 9 in each carpel.

1. A. Avicenntz, Gaertn. Leaves orbicular-cordate, acuminate, crenate-
dentate, velvety-tomentose ; peduncles axillary, shorter than the petiole.

AVICENNA'S ABUTILON. Indian-mallow. Velvet-leaf.

Root annual. Stein, 2-4 or 5 feet high, branched. Leaves 4-6 or 8 inches long ; petioles 3
-5 inches long. Petals yellow. Carpels 12-15, verticillately arranged in a flattened,
somewhat bell-shaped head.

Cultivated lots and waste places : introduced. Native of Europe aud Asia. Fl. July
-September. Fr. August- October.

Obs. This foreigner is a worthless and troublesome intruder — frequent
in Indian-corn fields, Potato patches, and other cultivated lots — and is
of a size sufficient to be a nuisance. It should be always carefully eradi-
cated before it matures its seeds.

66

WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

5. ABELMOS'CHUS, Med. OKRA.

[Name said to be derived from the Arabic, Hub-ool-moosKk.]

Calyx splitting down one side when the flower opens, deciduous. Pod

elongated. Otherwise as in Hibiscus.

1. A. ESCULEN'TUS, L. Herbaceous ; leaves somewhat obtusely and pal-

mately 5-lobed, cordate at base, the lobes dentate; fruit 10-angled,

pyramidal.

ESCULENT ABELMOSCHUS. Okra.

Root annual. Stem 18 inches to 3 feet high, somewhat branched, pilose but not aculeate.
Leaves 3-6 inches long, and wider than long, lobed about half way to the base ; petioles
about as long as the leaves. Petals pale greenish yellow, with a dark purple spot at base.
Capsule 2-3 inches long, erect.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of India. Fl. August. Fr. September -October.

06s. This plant is cultivated for its green pods or capsules — which

FIG. 47. Velvet-leaf or Indian-mallow (Abutilon Avicenr.ne), a branch reduced iu size
with fruit.

MALLOW FAMILY. 6t

are remarkably mucilaginous, and much esteemed, by many persons, as
a table vegetable, and as an ingredient in soups.

6. HIBIS'CUS, L. ROSE-MALLOW.

[An ancient classical name, for one of the Mallow Family.]

Calyx 5-cleft, persistent. Involucel of many linear bractlets. Column of
stamens long, bearing anthers for much of its length. Styles united ;
stigmas 5, capitate. Pod 5-celled, opening into 5 valves which bear the
partition on their middle. Herbs or shrubs with showy flowers.

1. H. trio'num, L. Upper leaves deeply 3-parted, lower ones toothed ;
calyx inflated, membranaceous, with bristly-ribs, 5- winged at the summit.
THREE-LOBED HIBISCUS. Bladder Ketmia. Flower-of-an-hour.

Annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, branched. leaves l-'3 inches long, the lobes lanceolate,
the middle one longest ; pdioled. Flowers greenish yellow with a purple spot at base,
axillary, solitary, fugacious ; peduncles about as long as the petioles. Stigma&f>.

Gardens and lots. Native of South Europe and Africa. July -September.

Obs. Formerly cultivated in gardens, and not rare as a weed in cul-
tivated grounds.

2. H. SYRI'ACUS, L. Shrubby or tree-like ; leaves ovate-wedge-shaped,
smooth, entire at the base, 3-lobed and toothed at the apex ; pedicels
scarcely longer than the petioles ; involucel 6 - 7-lobed.

SYRIAN HIBISCUS. Rose of Sharon. Shrubby Althaea.

06s. Yery common in cultivation, where it is usually kept trimmed ;
when allowed to grow uncut it forms a large tree-like shrub, with long
straggling branches. The flowers are of various shades, from white to
deep purple ; often becoming double. It is rather troublesome in
grounds on account of the readiness with which it propagates itself by
the seeds. *

7. GOSSYP'IUM, L. COTTON.

[A name supposed to be of Egyptian origin ; etymology obscure.]

Calyx cup-shaped, obtusely 5-toothed, surrounded by a 3-leaved involucel ;
the leaflets united and cordate at base, deeply incised-dentate. Styles
united ; stigmas 3 or sometimes 5. Capsule 3- 5-celled, loculicidal. Seeds
numerous, enveloped in a long fine wool. Young brandies and leaves more
or less covered with black dots ; the nerves beneath usually with one or
more glands.

1. G. HERBA'CEUM, L. Stem smooth ; leaves 3- 5-lobed, with a single
gland beneath ; lobes rounded, mucronate ; involucel serrate ; wool white.
HERBACEOUS GOSSYPIUM. Cotton. Cotton-plant.
Ft: Le Cottonnier. Germ. Die Baumwolle. Span. Algodon.

Root annual. Stem 2-4 feet high, branched. Leaves 3-5 or 6 inches long ; petioles 2-3
inches long. Petals greenish yellow, tinged with purple at base, feeds large, thickly
beset with long wool-like cellular or tubular fibres, which, at maturity, are shrunk and
contorted so as to render them in some degree adhesive, when pressed together,— and
thereby susceptible of being spun or drawn and twisted into delicate threads.

Cultivated very largely in the Southern and South-western States. Native of Asia.

68 USEFUL WEEDS AND PLANTS.

Obs. This plant — as yielding the material for light clothing, and
especially in reference to its commercial value — :may be regarded as one
of the most important objects of American Agriculture. Although not
so essential as the cereal tribe, the fibrous envelope of the seeds is scarcely
less interesting, as an article of trade, and as the subject of useful and
ingenious industry.

ORDER XI. TILIA'CE^E. (LINDEN FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs having the mucilaginous qualities and tough inner bark of the Mallow
Family, alternate leaves with deciduous stipules and small axillary powers. Sepals valvate
in the bud, deciduous Petals imbricated in the bud. Stamens usually in clusters ;
anthers 2-celled. See^ls albuminous.

The Lindens are the only representatives of this order in the United States. Corchorus
capsularis of India furnishes the fibre from which the Gunny-bags of commerce are
made.

1. TIL'IA, L. LINDEN.

[The classical Latin name.]

Sepal 5, connected at base. Petals 5. Stamens numerous, more or less
cohering in 5 parcels, the central one of each parcel — in the North
American species — cohering with the base of a petaloid scale, opposite
to the real petals. Ovary 5-celled ; cells with 2 ovules. Fruit coriaceous
or woody, globose, by abortion 1-celled, 1 - 2-seeded. Trees with sub-
cordate serrate leaves, and a tough, fibrous bark. Flowers in pendulous
cymes, with the lower half of the common peduncle adnate to a long
membrano-foiiaceous bract.

1. T. EUROPE 'A, L. Leaves orbicular-cordate, acuminate, puberulent
beneath ; flowers without petaloid scales.

EUROPEAN TILIA. Linden, or Lime tree. European Linden.
Fr. Le Tilled. Germ. Die Linde. Span. Tilo.

Stem 20-40 or 50 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter, the numerous branches forming
a handsome symmetrical top. Leaves 3-5 inches long ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Flowers
yellowish white.

Cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. Beginning of June. Fr. Sept -Oct.

Obs. This foreign species has been extensively introduced as an orna-
mental shade tree in our cities and villages. In the beginning of summer
it is handsome, but the leaves begin to die or become diseased, assuming
a scorched appearance, soon after midsummer ; and the tree is, more-
over, infested by so many loathsome and destructive insects, that it is
now being superseded by others less subject to such accidents. The
flowers are said to afford to bees a superior quality of honey.

2. T. America 'na, L, Leaves obliquely heart-shaped, or truncate at
base, abruptly acuminate, thickish, smooth, or nearly so ; flowers with
petaloid scales, connected with the filaments.

AMERICAN TILIA. Linden, or Linn. Basswood. Whitewood.

Stem 40-60 or 80 feet high, and 2-3 feet in diameter, with spreading branches. Leaves

BEAD-TREE FAMILY. 69

3-6 iuchos long, unequal at base ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Floioers yellowish- white or
cream-colored .

Rich woodlands and banks of streams ; along the mountains, from Canada to Georgia.
Fl. Latter end of June. Ff. Sept. -Oct.

Obs. A variety of this species (var. pubescens, Gray,) has the often
thin leaves softly pubescent beneath. This form is common south and
west, as well as the White Basswood (T. Heteroph'ylla, Vent.), which has
very large leaves, sometimes 8 inches broad, silvery-white, with fine
down beneath. The wood of all the Lindens, commonly known as Bass-
wood, is light, soft and white, and is used for making boxes, bowls and
other domestic utensils, for the panels of wagons, bottoms of drawers,
&c. The inner bark, bast or bass, consists of long, tough fibres, and by
soaking in water, readily separates into layers. That of the European
species furnishes the matting, which forms an important item in the
products of Russia. It is much used by gardeners for protecting tender
plants from frost, and furnishes them the best material for tying up
shrubs, and for binding up the wound made in the operation of budding.
The gardeners of the Western States, it is said, obtain their supply of
bast from our American species. T. AMERICANA is sometimes planted
as a shade tree. Its branches are more spreading than those of the
European species, and its whole appearance is less symmetrical, more-
over, it is, like that, liable to be infested by insects. *

ORDER XII. MELIA'CE^E. (BEAD-TREE FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs, with alternate, usually compound leaves destitute of stipules. Calyx of
3 - 5 sepals more or less connected. Petals 3-5. Stamens twice as many as the petals,
monadelphous, inserted outside of a hypogynous disk ; anthers sessile in the orifice of
the tube of filaments. Ovary several-celled, with 1-2 ovules in each cell ; styles and stiymos
mostly united into one. Fruit a drupe, berry, or capsule, often 1-celled by abortion, and
the cell 1 -seeded. Seeds with little or no albumen, and wingless.

The genus which represents this Order is the only one belonging to it which is much
known in our country, and that is pretty much confined to the States south of the
Potomac.

1. ME'LIA, L. PRIDE OF INDIA.

[The Greek name of a species of Ash, which this tree resembles.]

Calyx small, 5-cleft. Petals 5, linear-oblong, spreading. Stamen-tube

10-cleft at summit, with 10 anthers in the orifice ; segments of the tube

2-3-parted. Ovary seated on a slightly elevated disk ; style filiform ;

stigma capitate, 5-angled. Drupe ovoid,, with a 5-celled bony nut ; cells 1-

seeded. Embryo inclosed in thin fleshy albumen ; cotyledons flat, foliace-

ous. Trees with odd-pinnate or bipinnate leaves. Flowers in axillary

panicles.

1. M. AZEDA'RACII, L. Leaves bipinnate ; leaflets somewhat in fives,

obliquely ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, incised-dentate, smooth.

Pride of India. Bead-tree.

Ft. Arbre aux paten otres. Germ. Der Zederach.

Stem 20-40 feet high, and 1-2 or 3 feet in diameter, with branches clustered at irreg-
ular intervals. Leaves deciduous ; leaflets 1-2 or 3 inches long, forming secondary inn-

70

WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

nee of 2-3 pairs, with a terminal odd one. Flowers pale violet-purple or lilac-colored.
Drvpe with a soft yellowish pulp, and an obtusely angular nut.
Cultivated. Native of Syria, Persia, and the far East. Fl. April. Fr. Sept. - Oct.

06s. This tree has been introduced into the Southern States as an
ornamental shade tree, and is now perfectly naturalized there and west
to Arkansas. It will not endure the winters of Pennsylvania. The
most northern point at which I have seen trees of any considerable size,
was Norfolk, Virginia, and even there they are sometimes killed by frost.
The bark of the root is reputed to be a good vermifuge. In the south
of Europe, the nuts are often used for beads ; whence'one of its English
and French names.

ORDER XIII. LINA'CE^E. (FLAX FAMILY.)

Herbs with alternate or opposite leaves, without stipules, and regular hypogynous flowers,
with all the parts in fives. Calyx imbricated and petals convolute in the bud. Stamens
united at the base into a ring. Capsule globose, with twice as many 1-seeded cells as
there are styles.
An order pretty much limited to the important genus which is its type.

1. LI'NUM, L. FLAX.

[The classical name for the plant.]

Capsule of 5 united carpels, each 2-seeded, but divided into 2 single-
seeded cells by a false partition, projecting from the back of the carpels.
1. L. TJSITATIS'SIMUM, L. Leaves alternate,
lance-linear, very acute ; flowers on long
pedicels ; capsules globose, mucronate.
MOST USEFUL (OR COMMON) LINUM. Flax.
Fr. Lin. Germ. Gemeiner Flachs. Span.
Lino.

Root- annual. Stem 2-3 feet high, slender, terete,
smooth, corymbosely branched at summit. Leaves an
inch to an iach and a half long. Petals rather large,
blue, often with a tinge of purplu, very caducous. Seeds
lance-ovate, smooth and shining.

Cultivated, and occasionally spontaneous in cultivated
grounds. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

06s. This valuable plant — once considered
so indispensable among the crops of our
farmers — is now but little cultivated. I have
not seen a flax-patch for a number of years :
whereas, in the "good old times" — before
Spinning-wheels were superseded by Pianos —
every rural family cultivated and manufac-
tured as much flax as was required for do-
mestic purposes. But now, the Cotton-plant
48 of the South has nearly banished the Flax-

plant from the Middle and Northern States.
Nor is the revolution thus effected a subject of regret, with the farmer.

FIG. 48. Flax (Linum usitatissimum), reduced.

GERANIUM FAMILY. 71

The flax crop is one which involves a good deal of troublesome, disa-
greeable labor, and, without being profitable, is generally believed to be
injurious to the soil : an opinion as old as the time of Virgil — who says

" Urit enim Lini carnpum seges, urit avense." — GEORG. 1. 71.

or, as rendered by Sothcby,

" Oats and the Flaxen harvest burn the ground."

The seeds of this plant — besides yielding a most valuable drying oil, used
in painting — afford one of the best mucilaginous drinks, for coughs, and
dysenteric affections.

ORDER XI Y. GERANIA'CEJE. (GERANIUM FAMILY.)

Mostly lierbs with symmetrical, hypogyuous, pentamerous flowers. Sepals imbricated.
Petals convolute. Stamens 10, slightly monadelphous at base, the alternate ones shorter.
1'istils 5, adhering to a central prolonged axis, from which they separate at maturity by
curling up and carrying with them the small 1-seeded pods. Seeds without albumen.
Herbs, or sometimes shrubby plants with opposite or alternate, stipulate, scented leaves
and astringent roots.

The ornamental half-shrubby plants so common in collections of green-house plants
and usually called Geraniums, belong to the genus PELARGONIUM.

1. GERA'NIUM, L. CRANES-BILL.

[Greek, Geranos, a crane ; the beaked fruit resembling a crane's bill.]
Stamens all perfect, the 5 longer ones with glands at base. Styles co-
hering at the summit, recurved from below, but not twisted, in the ripe
fruit ; smooth inside.

1. Gr. macula'tum, L. Stem erect, dichotomous above ; leaves 3-5-
parted ; petals entire, twice as long as the calyx.
SPOTTED GERANIUM. Cranes-bill.

Perennial. Stem 12-18 inches high, hairy. Leaves 2-3 inches long, the divisions lobed
and cut at the end, blotched with whitish as they grow old, the radical on petioles 3- 6 or
8 inches in length, those of the stem on much shorter petioles and the upper ones subses-
sile. Flowers purple, large, somewhat corymbose. Petals bearded on the claw.

Woods and along fences, common. April -July.

Obs. This plant is not troublesome as a weed, but is introduced here
on account of its valuable medicinal properties ; it being one of the
best astringents used in medicine — equalling in importance any of the
imported articles of that class — the agriculturist ought to be able to
identify it. The thick, fleshy root, or rather rhizoma, which should be
collected in autumn, is powerfully astringent, without bitterness or un-
pleasant taste, and is useful in diarrhoea and other diseases where a
medicine of this kind is required. Boiled in water and mixed with sugar
and milk, it is easily administered to children. G. Carolinian'um, L.,
a native species, and G. pusillum, an introduced one, are annual species,
and common in waste places. Erodium cicutarium, L., (which has the
5 shorter stamens sterile, and the styles, in fruit, twisting spirally,) is
naturalized sparingly in the Atlantic States, but in California and
Oregon it has taken complete possession of large tracts ; it is there
known as " pin weed."

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ORDER XV. OXALIDA'CEJE. (WOOD-SORREL FAMILY.)

Herbs with sour juice and alternate compound leaves. Flowers regular nearly as in Gerani-
um— but the styles separate, and the fruit a 5-celled several-seeded capsule.

1. OX'ALIS, L. WOOD-SORREL.

[Greek, oxys, sharp or sour.]

Petals withering after expansion. Capsule membranaceous, deeply
5-lobed, 5-celled, each cell opening on the back. Seeds pendulous from
the axis, their outer coat loose and separating. Embryo large and
straight in a fleshy albumen. Leaves of 3 obcordate leaflets, which close
and droop at nightfall, — the radical ones stipulate.

FIG. 49. Cranes-bill (Geranium maculatum), a flowering summit. 50. A ripe fruit
enlarged, showing the carpels separating from the axis.

INDIAN-CHESS FAMILY. 73

0. stric'ta, L. Caulescent ; stem mostly erect, branched and leafy ;
peduncles axillary, longer than the petioles.

UPRIGHT OXALIS. Wood-sorrel. Yellow Wood-sorrel.

Perennial ? Stem 3 inches to near 2 feet high, more or less pubescent, often bushy, and
sometimes nearly prostrate. Leaflets one fourth of an inch to an inch long. Peduncles
2-5 inches long, with 2-10 yellow powers.

Fields and cultivated grounds. May - September.

06s. The leaves of this very common plant have an agreeable acidity,
and are frequently eaten by children. Another species is cultivated,
especially in Europe, as a culinary herb. The juice of the various
species contains a salt (Binoxalate of Potash) which, under the name
of Salts of Sorrel, was formerly much used for removing ink-stains and
spots of iron-rust from linen.

ORDER XVI. TROPJEOLA'CEJ3. (INDIAN-CRESS FAMILY.)

Herbs with a pungent, watery juice, a straggling or twining stem, alternate petiolate pel-
tate or palmate leaves with radiating nerves, and without stipules. Flowers irregular,
large on long axillary peduncles. Fruit 3-lobed, composed of 3 united carpels, which are
1-seeded, indehiscent, and separate from the common axis when mature. Seeds without
albumen, large ; cotyledons thick, distinct when young, finally consolidated or soldered
together.
A very small Order, and of little interest beyond the genus which represents it.

1. TROPJE'OLUM, L. NASTURTIUM.

[Latin, a little banner, or Trophy ; from a fancied similitude in the plant.]

Calyx colored, 5-parted ; the upper segment spurred at the base.
Petals 5, unequal ; the upper two sessile, the others clawed. Stamens 8.
Stigmas 2.

1. T. MA' jus, L. Leaves peltate, sub-orbicular, obscurely repand-lobed,

the nerves not exserted ; petals obtuse.

GREATER TROP^BOLUM. Nasturtium. Indian-cress.

Fr. Grande Capucine. Germ. Die Kapuziner kresse. Span. Capuchina.

Root annual. Stem 3-6 or 8 feet long, fleshy, smooth. Leaves 2-3 inches in diameter,
the nerves which radiate from the centre not projecting beyond the margin (as they do
in another species) ; petioles 3 - 6 inches long. Peduncles 1-flowered, mostly longer than
the petioles. Petals yellowish or reddish orange, with dark purple stripes and spots — the
three lower ones fringed at base. Carpels sulcate, fleshy, finally suberose or coriaceous.

Gardens. Cultivated. Native of South America. Fl. June -September. Fr. August -
October.

Obs. This ornamental stranger is sometimes cultivated for show ; but
chiefly for the young fruit — which is prepared as a condiment, and af-
fords a tolerable substitute for capers. The plant is said to be perennial
in its native country (Peru), whence it was brought to Europe in the
year 1684.

4

74

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

. RUTA'CE^. (RuE FAMILY.)

Herbs, shrubs or trees, with simple or compound leaves, punctate with pellucid dots contain-
ing a pungent, volatile oil (except in Ailanthus, a doubtful member of the Order,) and per-
fect, polygamous or dioecious, hypogynous, regular, 3 - 5-merous flowers. Stamens twice
as many as the sepals ; pistils 2-5 separate or combined into a compound ovary of as
many cells, raised on a prolongation of the receptacle or fleshy disk ; styles sometimes co-
nering when the ovaries are distinct.

1. KU'TA, L. RUE.

[Name of doubtful derivation.]

Flowers perfect. Sepals and petals 4 (rarely 3-5). Stamens twice as
many as the sepals, with a gland at base. Style 1. Capsule roundish,
lobed. Seeds albuminous. Herbs, sometimes suffruticose, with alternate
leaves and yellow flowers.

1. R. GRAVE'OLENS, L. Leaves decompound ; lobes oblong, the terminal
one obovate ; petals entire or somewhat toothed.
HEAVY-SMELLING RUTA. Rue. Garden-rue.

Perennial. Stem bushy 2-3 feet high, woody at base, the branches smooth, yellowish
.green. Leaves dotted, glaucous or bluish green. Flowers in terminal corymbose panicles,
pale greenish. yellow ; the first one which unfolds has 5 sepals and petals, and 10 stamens,
while the succeeding ones have only 8 stamens and 4 sepals and petals. Pod roundish,
warty, 4-5-lobed. The stamens approach in turns towards the pistil, and after the an-
thers have shed their pollen, retire.

Native of Southern Europe. Cult. June - Sept.

Obs. The Garden-rue, as it is commonly called, probably to distinguish

FIG. 51. Rue (Ruta graveolens), a flowering branch. 52. A fruit of the same.

FAMILY.

75

it from Meadow-rue, is frequently found in old gardens, where it is culti-
vated as a medicinal herb. The plant is very acrid, and when handled
sometimes irritates or even blisters the skin, and to some persons it is
highly poisonous. Its properties are stimulant and narcotic, and though
sometimes used in domestic practice, in cholic, hysterics, &c., it is
altogether too dangerous a plant to be employed unadvisedly. Its oil
is a powerful poison. The plant was much used by the ancients, who
ascribed wonderful virtues to it; they had the idea that stolen Hue
flourished the best. At one time it was employed to sprinkle the holy
water in the ceremonies of the Roman Catholic church, which is per-
haps the reason of Ophelia's saying : " We may call it herb of grace, o'

2. ZANTHOX'TLUM, Golden. PBICKLY ASH.

[Greek, Zanthos, yellow, and JTylon, wood.]

Flowers dio3cious. Sepals 5, or wanting in one species. Petals 4 -5,
imbricated. Stamens 4-5 in the sterile flowers, alternate with the
petals. Pistils 2-5, separate, but their styles conniving or slightly
united. Pods thick and fleshy, 2-valved when ripe, 1 - 2-seeded. Seed-

coat crustaceous, black, smooth arid shining. Embryo straight, with
broad cotyledons. Shrubs or trees with mostly pinnate leaves ; the
stems and often the leaf-stalks prickly. Flcwers small, greenish or
white.

1. Z. Anierican'ran, Mill. Leaves, and flowers in axillary clusters ;

FIG. 53. Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum Americanum), portion of a pistillate specimen in
flower, the leaves not fully developed. 54. An enlarged staminate flower. 55. An
enlarged pistillate flower.

76 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

leaflets in 4 - 5 pairs and an odd one ; calyx none ; petals 5 ; pistils
3 - 5 ; pod short stalked ; flowers appearing with the leaves.
AMERICAN ZANTHOXYLUM. Northern Prickly Ash. Toothache Tree.
Yellow Wood.

Shriib<i-8 feet high. Stems prickly, the stronger prickles mostly in pairs at the base of
the leaves. Leaflets 1-2 inches long, downy when young, becoming smooth above when
old. Flowers sometimes polygamous. Pods about the size of a pepper-corn, with a
brown or reddish tinge, pitted, fragrant with a lemon-like odor when rubbed. Seed
solitary.

River banks and rocky woods, north and wrest. April -May.

Obs. In its wild state this shrub forms low thickets, but when cul-
tivated and trimmed it forms a small tree sometimes 20 feet high. It
has been proposed as a hedge plant, but we are not aware that any
experiments have been made to test its value for this purpose. All
parts of the plant are aromatic, and the bark is used in medicine ; this
when chewed has a sweetish aromatic taste which becomes bitter and
acrid, causing a flow of saliva; it has been used for the tooth-ache,
whence one of its popular names. An infusion is used in domestic
medicine, in the treatment of rheumatism and in cholic, &c.

2. Z. Carolinian'um, Lam. Leaflets 3-5 pairs and an odd one, ovate
lanceolate, inequilateral, shining above ; flowers in terminal cymes, ap-
pearing after the leaves ; sepals and petals 5 ; pistils 3 ; pods sessile ;
prickles very sharp.
CAROLINA ZANTHOXYLUM. Southern Prickly Ash.

Shrub or small tree 6-20 feet high and 6-10 inches in diameter. Grows in sandy soil along
the sea coagts of the Southern States. Properties similar to the preceding.

3. AILAN'THUS, Desf.

[From Ailanto, the name it bears in its native country.]

Calyx 5-toothed. Petals 5, inserted with the 10 stamens under a hypo-

gynous disk. Carpels 3-5, samaroid, tumid in the centre, 1-celled,

1-seeded. Stigmas capitate, radiately 5-lobed. Flowers diceciously

polygamous.

1. A. GLANDULO'SA, Desf. Leaves odd-pinnate ; leaflets oblong-lanceolate,

acuminate, coarsely dentate at base, with a gland on the under side of

each tooth.

GLANDULAR AILANTHUS. Chinese Sumach. Tree of Heaven. Tillow
or Tallow Tree.

Stem 30 - 60 feet or more high, much branched, young branches never multiplying during
growth but developed only from the buds of the proceeding year. Leaves (on young trees
especially) much elongated and consisting of many pairs (15-20) of smooth leaflets, which
are 3-5 inches in length and entire, except a pair or two of coarse teeth at base. Flowers
pale greenish yellow., in terminal open thyrsoia panicles.

Cultivated as a shade tree. Native of China. Fl. June. Fr. Sept. -Oct.

06s. Perhaps no tree has been the subject of as much newspaper
discussion as the Ailauthus, and there is much to be said for and against

CASHEW FAMILY. 77

its cultivation as a shade tree. It has in its favor a graceful habit, is
cleanly and quite free from insects, gives a tolerable shade and is perfectly
hardy, growing where almost any other would riot survive. The objec-
tions to it are, the disagreeable odor it emits when in flower, and the
readiness with which it multiplies itself by suckers and by seeds. The
odor, which is really offensive in sultry weather, is emitted by the stami-
nate flowers, but as the tree is not perfectly dioecious, the pistillate ones
producing more or less staminate flowers, the difficulty could not be
obviated by cutting down the sterile trees, there being no means of dis-
tinguishing them while young. In streets the rapid multiplication is
not so much of an objection as where the tree is cultivated in open
grounds, though even here the seed will germinate wherever it can come
in contact with the earth. The young plants spring up between bricks
and flag-stones, in areas and small grass plots, and even on window-caps
and in crevices in the walls of buildings ; and in parks the multitude of
seedlings becomes an absolute nuisance. Still, notwithstanding all these
disadvantages, there is no tree so generally employed in the city of New
York as a shade tree, where it attracts the eye of the stranger by the
tropical aspect of its foliage and the large massy bunches of ripening
fruit, which are variously tinged with red or brownish. The tree -has
been recommended for cultivation on prairie lands and others where
there is a scarcity of timber for fencing material. As far as rapidity of
growth is concerned, it is certainly admirably adapted to this use, but
it is not known whether the timber would be sufficiently durable. The
wood, though brittle, is very hard and takes a good polish.

ORDER XVIII. ANACARDIA'CE^E. (CASHEW FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs, with a resinous or milky, often acrid juice, which turns black in drying,
alternate dotless leaves without stipules and small, often polygamous, regular pentandrous
flowers. Petals imbricated in the bud. Oiwy 1-celled (by abortion), but with 3 styles or
stigmas, and a single ovule. Fruit indehiscent, usually drupaceous. Seed without albu-
men ; emln-yo curved.

In the tropical regions, this Family presents plants of much interest : such as that
which yields the celebrated Mango fruit (Mangifera Indica, L.) — the Cashew nut (Anacar-
dium occidentale, L.) and the Fistacia nut (Pistacia, vera, L.) ; with others which afford
various kinds of Lacquer and Varnish. A species of Rhus (R. Cotinus, L.) affords the
" young Fustic," of commerce — the " old Fustic," being the wood of Morus tinctorio, L.
The Chian or Cyprus Turpentine is obtained from the Pistacia Terebinthus, L.

1. RHUS', L. SUMACH.

[Greek, Rhous,—or Celtic Rhudd,—rQd ; the prevailing color of the fruit.]

Sepals 5, connected at base, persistent. Petals 5, ovate, spreading, and
with the siamens inserted under the margin of an orbicular disk. Drupe
small, nearly or quite dry ; nut bony, 1-celled. Polygamo-dicecious
shrubs or small trees. Leaves sometimes simple, mostly compound (odd-
pinnate or trifoliolate) ; common petiole enlarged at the base and cover-
ing the buds of the ensuing year.

* Leaves odd-pinnate.
f Young branches densely hairy.

78 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. H. typhi'na, L. Young brandies and petioles densely villous ;
leaflets in many pairs, acutely serrate, glaucous and somewhat pilose
beneath ; drupes densely pubescent.

TYPHA-LIKE RHUS. Staghorn Sumach.

Lactescent. Stem 10 - 15 or 20 feet high, and sometimes 4-6 inches in diameter, branched.
Leaves composed of 8-15 or 20 pairs of lance-oblong leaflets (2-4 inches in length) ; com-
mon petioles 1-2 feet long. Flowers yellowish -green, in thyrsoid panicles, — the fertile
panicles smaller and more compact. Ovaries clothed with a long greyish velvety pu-
bescence— which on the fruit becomes a bright purple, and sharply acid.

Woodlands and banks of streams : Canada to Louisiana. Fl. June. Fr. September -
October.

Obs. This is the largest and handsomest species of the genus — as seen
in the Middle States. The fine purple clusters of fruit, on the fertile
plant, render it quite ornamental ; and, if introduced into the yards and
public squares of our cities, would present an almost literal exemplifi-
cation of the much-admired R (h) us in urbe ! Its roots, however, are
rather troublesome in sending up suckers.

ff Young branches downy-pubescent.

£. R. copalli'na, L. Common petiole winged ; leaflets oblong or ovate-
lanceolate, nearly entire.
COPAL RHUS. Dwarf Sumach.

Juice resinous. Stem 3-8 feet high, branched. Leaflets 1-3 inches long, usually 4-10
pairs with a terminal one, subcoriaceous, shining above. Flowers yellowish-green in ter-
minal thyrsoid panicles. Fruit densely pubescent, finally dark purple and acid.

Dry hills, frequent. Fl July. Fr. October.

Obs. A very neat species, with very variable leaflets, which are some-
times coarsely and unequally serrate.

Iff Young branches smooth.

3. R, gla'bra, L. Branches and petioles glabrous ; leaflets in many
pairs, 'serrate, smooth on both sides, glaucous beneath.
GLABROUS RHUS. Common or Smooth Sumach.

Juice copiously milky. Stem 3-8 or 10 feet high, irregularly branching; young

FIG 56. Smooth Sumach (Rhus glabra) , a staininate flower. 57. A pistillate flower. 58.
The same divided, all much enlarged.

CASHEW FAMILY.

79

branches stout and thick, with a large pith, somewhat angular or compressed. Leaves
composed of 8-12 or 15 pairs of leaflets (2-3 or 4 inches in length); common petiole 9-18
inches long, often dark purple. Flowers yellowish-green ; tfie fertile panicles smaller
and more compact than the sterile ones. Ovaries clothed with a short greyish silky pft-
bescence, which on ihe fruit becomes bright purple, and contains a sprightly acid.

Old fields, fence-rows, and thickets : Canada to Louisiana. Fl. June. Fr. September
-October.

Obs. This shrub is apt to be abundant in neglected sterile old fields ;
and its prevalence, in arable lands, is strong evidence of the occupant
being a poor thriftless farmer.

A/I-

4. R. venena'ta, DC. Branches and petioles smooth ; leaflets in
few pairs, very entire ; common petioles not winged ; fruit glabrous.

POISONOUS EHUS. Poison Sumach. Poison Elder. Swamp Dogwood.

Juice resinous. Stem 8-12 or 15 feet high, branching above, young branches rather
slender, terete, smoothish, slightly verrucose or dotted. Leaves composed of 3-5 or 6
pairs of leaflets (2-3 or 4 inches long); common petioles 4-10 or 12 inches long. Flowers
greenish. Panicles slender, racemose, on long axillary peduncles. Drupes dry, smooth
and shining, nearly twice as large as in either of the preceding.

Low grounds along swampy rivulets : Canada to Georgia. Fl. June. Fr. September.

FIG. 50. Poison Siiinach (Rhus venenata), a portion of a flowering branch, reduced. .

80

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. This was formerly supposed to be identical with the oriental
species which yields the Japan Varnish. It is a shrub to be carefully
extirpated from the farm ; as it is not only worthless, but exceedingly
poisonous to^many persons, if they come in contact with it — or even get
unawares in its immediate vicinity.

** Leaves trifoliolate.

A.H.

5. R. Toxicoden'dron, L. Stern erect, decumbent, or climbing by
rootlets ; leaflets in threes, obliquely ovate or rhomboid, acuminate ;
fruit glabrous.
POISON-TREE RHUS. Poison-vine. Poison-oak. Poison-ivy.

Not lactescent. In the erect variety, stem 2 - 5 or 6 foot high ; leaflets larger (4 - 6 or 8 inc hos
long) , variously or coarsely toothed or lobed ; in the more common climbing variety, stem
8 or 10 - 30 or 40 feet long, branching, climbing and closely adhering to trees and other
objects by -means of numerous rootlets ; leaflet,* smaller and more commonly entire than
in the other variety : thin or somewhat membranaceous in both. Flowers yellowish-green.

FIG. 60. Poison Ivy (Rus Toxicodendron) , reduced.

VINE FAMILY. 81

Panicles slender, racemose, on short axillary peduncles. Drupes about the size of those in
the preceding species, dry, smooth, and shining, pale brown.

Woodlands and old fence-rows : Canada to Georgia, and the Rocky Mountains. Fl.
May -June. Fr. September.

Obs. This species is also poisonous, — and should not only be known
to the farmer, but diligently expelled from his premises. There arc
several other species of Rkm in the United States,— interesting to the
Botanist — as all plants are, — but not immediately so to the practical
Agriculturist. The Venetian Sumach (R. COTINUS) is often seen in
cultivation as an ornamental shrub. The flowers are mostly abortive
and the slender very hairy pedicels remain after flowering, increasing
in length and making large light bunches, giving such a peculiar ap-
pearance to the shrub that it has received the popular name of " Smoke
Tree." The leaves of this and other European species furnish the
Sumach of commerce, which is imported for use in dyeing and calico-
printing and for tanning morocco leather. The leaves of R. glabra, JL
typhina and perhaps others of our native species are used for the same"*-
purposes. Doct. Darlington has in his garden, at Westchester, a re-
markable variety of R. glabra, in which the leaves are more or less
completely bipinnate ; it was found in Chester County, and is worthy
of being propagated by the curious in such matters. *

ORDER XIX. YITA'CE^E. (YixE FAMILY.)

Shrubby plants, generally with a loose stringy bark, and stems climbing, by tendrils;
simple or compound leaves opposite the racemes which are sometimes partly or wholly
changed into tendrils. Flowers mostly in compound racemes, often polygamous or
dioecious, small, greenish. Calyx very small, entire, or 4-5 toothed, lined with a perigy-
nous disk. Petals 4-5, .valvate in aestivation, sometimes cohering by the tips, caducous.
Stamens as many as the petals, and opposite them. Ovary 2-celled, with 2 erect collateral
ovules in each cell. Fruit a berry. Seeds with a bony testa; embryo much shorter than
the horny or fleshy albumen.

1. VI'TIS, L. GRAPE.

[The ancient Latin name of the vine.]

Calyx obsoletely 5-toothed, lined with a fleshy disk which bears the
stamens and pistils. Petals 5, cohering at apex and speedily falling off
(pushed off by the stamens). Stigma subsessile, obtuse. Berry 2-3-
celled, 4-seeded, — some of the cells and seeds often abortive. Perennial
climbing shrubs.

* Flowers perfect (Foreign species)

1. Y. VINIF'ERA, JL Leaves lobed, sinuate-dentate, glabrous or to-
mentose ; fruit of various sizes and colors.
WINE-PRODUCIXG YITIS. Wine Grape. Foreign Grape, &c.
Fr. La Yigne. Germ. Der Weinstock. Span. La Yid.

Steal 10-20 feet or more in length (but usually kept shorter by lopping.) Leaves more
or less lobed and dentate, generally smaller than in our native species, sometimes very
glabrous and shining. Berries often large, of various forms and colors.

Cultivated. Native of Southern Asia. Fl. June. Fr. August -So ptcmber.

Obs. Many varieties (with names as numerous) of this plant have been

82 WEEDS AND USEFUL I'LAXTS.

produced by long culture in different soils, — and a number of them are
cultivated in the United States, for their delightful fruit ; but the pro-
duct is rather uncertain, in this climate, without great care and atten-
tion. The excellence of the fruit of the Vine — whether fresh, or dried
and preserved in the state of Kaisins — is universally known and appre-
ciated ; while the fermented juice of the Grape has been the theme of
eulogy and song (and the excessive use of it, the cause of infinite mis-
chief), from the earliest ages down to the establishment of Temperance
Societies, in the present day. The Currants, of commerce (Corinths, or
Grapes of Corinth) — often called Zante Currants — are believed to be a
small-fruited, nearly seedless variety of this, — or perhaps a distinct yet
nearly allied species.

** Flowers diacious-polygamous (Native species).

2. V. Labrus'ca, L. Leaves roundish-cordate, somewhat 3-lobed,
^acutely dentate, densely tomentose beneath ; racemes simple ; berries

large.

Fox-Grape, of the Northern States.

Stem 15-20 or 30 foot long, straggling over bushes and small trees. Leaves 4-6 inches
in length — the tomentum beneath tawny ; petioles 2-3 inches long. Berries globose,
large (about half an inch in diameter), when mature varying in color from nearly black
to dark amber and greenish-white — with a thickish coat, a tough central pulp, and a
musky or rancid flavor.

Moist thickets, along streams : Canada to Georgia. Fl. Juno. Fr. September.

Obs. This grape is distributed from Canada to Texas, and presents a
considerable variety in its fruit, being of various colors, and differing
in form, size and flavor. In general the fruit has a strong and " foxy "
flavor, but some of the varieties have this in a less degree and are highly
esteemed. It is supposed that the generally cultivated Isabella and Ca-
tawba grapes are varieties of this, as are also several others.

3. V. 8BStiva'lis, MX. Leaves broadly cordate, often 3-5-lobed or
sinuately palmate, coarsely and unequally dentate, loosely tomentose
beneath ; fertile racemes mostly compound, long, many-flowered ; ber-
ries small.

SUMMER VITIS. Little Grape. Common Wild Grape.

•Stem 20 -40 and sometimes 60 feet or more in length. Leaves 4- 8 inches long, often
palmately lobed with rounded sinuses — the younger ones with a loose cobweb-like russet
pubescence beneath, which becomes coarser and more hirsute with age, and. sometimes
nearly disappears. Berries globose, small (generally about one-fourth of an inch in di-
ameter), deep blue or bluish black when mature, and covered with a fine glaucous pow-
der— the skin thinnish, and the flavor (especially after a little frost) a sprightly agreea-
ble acid.

Rich woodlands and thickets : Connecticut to Florida. Fl. June. F,-. October.

Obs. This is the tallest climber of all our Grape-vines, in Pennsylva
nia ; and I have seen an old vine, of this species, 8-10 inches in diame-
ter, at base. The fruit varies in size and quality, — the best specimens
being well worthy of culture. I have cultivated a native of this vicinity,
in which the fruit often equals that of the " English Grape " (or Miller's

VI XK FAMILY

83

/

Burgundy,) in size ; and although somewhat harshly acid, it abounds in
a rich purple juice, at maturity, — and makes a fine preserve for pastry.

4. V. cordifo'lia, MX. Leaves thin, cordate, acuminate, sharply and
coarsely toothed, smoifth and green on both sides ; racemes slender,
large, loosely compound ; berries small.
HEART LEAVED YITIS. . Chicken Grape. Winter or Frost Grape.

Stem 10-20 feet long, climbing and spreading over bushes. Leaves 2-6 inches long,
smooth, the nerves pubescent beneath. Flowers greenish, in loose racemes which often

FIG. 61 . Leaf an i tendril of the common Fox Grape (Vitis Labrusca) . 62. An unex-
pan«led flower bud, much enlarged. 63. An open flower, showing th? petals cohering by
their tips and falling away in one piece.

84 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

have long abortive branches at base retrograding into tendrils. Fruit small, greenish
amber color, or sometimes nearly black when mature, ripening after frost, very acerb.
Thickets, &c.: frequent. Fl. June. Fr. November.

Obs. The flowers of this vine are delightfully fragrant. The fruit
though too acid for eating .is said to afford a very fine wine. There is a
variety with broader and more cut and toothed leaves (var. riparia,
Gray.)

5. V. vulpi'na, L. Stem and branches with a close greyish-brown
bark ; leaves orbicular, coarsely toothed with bluntish teeth, cordate at
base, smooth and shining on both sides ; fertile racemes compound, um-
bellulate ; berries large.

VULPINE OR FOXY YITIS. Fox-Grape, of the Southern States,- also
called " Muscadine," and " Bullet- or Bull-Grape."

Stem 20 -50 feet or more in length, with an adhesive greyish minutely warty bark.
Leaves 2-3 inches in diameter. Berries globose, large (half an inch to three quarters in
diameter), bluish black when mature, with a thick tough skin and not unpleasant flavor.

Woodlands and banks of streams : Virginia to Florida. Fl. May -June. Fr. Julv-
August.

06s. The most striking feature of this vine, is the close even te xture
of its grey bark, — somewhat resembling that of the Beech-tree, or Horn-
beam ; while all the other species, so far as I know, have a loose, lamel-
lated, stringy, dark-brown bark, after the first year's growth. It is
quite probable, as suggested by Mr. ELLIOTT, that this is the original
" Fox-Grape," or V. vulpina, of LINNAEUS. I have observed it growing
in abundance in the vicinity of the village of Suffolk, Virginia ; but
have not seen the fruit. The inhabitants assured me, however, that the
large black berries were quite palatable, — and were uniformly, in that
region, known by the name of Fox-grapes. Mr. ELLIOTT thought the
species might be, some day, advantageously cultivated.

2. AMPELOP'SIS, MX. VIRGINIA CREEPER.

[Greek, Ampelos, a vine, and opsis, aspect ; from its resemblance to the vine.]

Calyx slightly 5-toothed, without a lining disk. Petals 5, concave,

thick, opening at apex, expanding before they fall.

1. A. quinquefp'lia, MX. Leaves digitate, with 5 oblong lanceolate

leaflets ; flowers in cymose clusters.

FIVE-LEAVED AMPELOPSIS. Virginia Creeper. American Ivy.

'Stem 10-50 feet long, diffusely branching, climbing trees and walls, adhering to them
by sucker-like expansions at the tips of the tendrils. Leaflets 2-4 inches long with a
few mucronate teeth, smooth ; common petiole 2-6 inches long. Flowers yellowish-green.
Berries bluish-black ; peduncles crimson.
Woods and rocks : common. Fl. July. Fr. October.

Obs. This native vine is one of the most ornamental of the climbers
and is much cultivated, both in this country and in Europe for covering
walls and buildings. It is perfectly hardy and gives a dense mass of
brilliant green throughout the summer which in the autumn changes to
the richest shades of crimson and purple.

LUCKTIIOKN FAMILY.

85

ORDER XX. RHAMNA'CB^. (BUCKTHORN FAMILY.)

Shrubs or small frees having simple mostly alternate leaves with stipules minute or obsolete,
and small, regular, sometimes apetalous flowers. Stamens 4-5, perigynous, as many as
the valvate sepals, alternate with them and opposite the hooded or concave petals. Sta-
mens and petals inserted on the edge of & fleshy disk which lines the tube of the calyx
and sometimes coheres with the lower part of the 2 - 5-celled ovary. Stigmas 2-5. Fruit a
drupe or ood with 1-seeded cells ; seeds not arilled, embryo large, in a sparing fleshy albu-
men.

1. KHAM'NUS, Tournef. BUCKTHORN.

[An ancient Greek name, alluding to its numerous brauchlets.]

Calyx 4 - 5-cleft, the bell-shaped tube lined with the thin disk. Petals
4-5, small, notched at the end, short-clawed, wrapped round the short
stamens or sometimes wanting. Ovary free, 2 — 4-celled. Fruit a berry-

FIG. 64. A palmately compound leaf of Virginia Creeper (Ampelopsis qulnquefolial.
An enlarged flower.

65.

86 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

like drupe containing 2-4 separate, cartilaginous seed-like nutlets

which are grooved on the back, as is the contained seed. Shrubs or

small trees with loosely pinnately- veined leaves and axillary clusters of

greenish polygamous or dicedous flowers.

1. R. CATHAR'TICUS, L. Erect ; branches thorny at the summit ; leaves

ovate, minutely serrate ; flowers with the parts in fours ; fruit nearly

spherical, 4-seeded.

CATHAKTIC RHAMNUS. Buckthorn.

Shrub or low tree with greyish bark. Branchlets ending in sharp points, being stiff
leafy thorns. Leaves 1-2 inches long, with a short abrupt acumination, smooth above,
often somowhat hairy on the 7-9 prominent veins beneath. Fertile flowers with abortive
stamens. Sterile flwvers with an abortive ovary. Fruit black, nauseous and cathartic.

Cultivated and spontaneous. Fl. May. Fr. October.

Obs. This shrub is a native of Europe and has become quite natural-
ized in some places. The berries are a violent cathartic and were for-
merly much used, in the form of syrup, in domestic practice. Before
they are fully ripe and treated with alum, the berries furnish the water-
color known as sap-green. The chief use of the plant is to form hedges,
a purpose for which it is well suited, being quite hardy and bearing
severe pruning : moreover it puts out its foliage early in the season and
retains it until late. It is propagated by sowing the seeds, fresh from
the tree in the fall ; planted in this way they vegetate in the following
spring.

ORDER XXI. CELASTRA'CE^. (STAFF-TREE FAMILY.)

Shrubs, rarely trees, with alternate or opposite simple leaves, minute fugacious stipules and
slnall regular powers with the parts in fours or fives and imbricated in the bud. Stamens
as many as the petals and alternate with them, inserted under the flat disk that lines the
bottom of the calyx. Ovary 2-5-cel!ed, with one or few (erect or pendulous) ovules in
each cell. Fruit 2 - 5-celled, free from the calyx. Seeds arilled ; embryo large in a fleshy
albumen.

1. CELAS'TRUS, L. STAFF-TREE.

[A name borrowed from the ancient Greek writers.]

Polygamo-dicecious. Sepals 5, connected at base. Petals and stamens 5,
inserted on the margin of the cup-shaped disk. Fruit a globose 3-celled,
3-valved capsule, opening loculicidally. Seeds 1-2 in each cell, erect,
enveloped in a scarlet aril. Leaves alternate ; flowers small and
greenish.

1. C. scan 'dens, L. Stem woody, twining, unarmed ; leaves ovate-
oblong, finely toothed, pointed.

CLIMBING CELASTRUS. Wax-work. Climbing Bitter-sweet.

Stem 10-15 feet long. Leaves 2-4 inches long, on petioles about % of an inch in length.
Floivers yellowish-green, in small racemes terminating the short branches. Fruit aboi:t
the size of large peas, orange color when mature, opening at length and exposing the
seeds enveloped in their scarlet aril.

Common in thickets and along streams. Fl. June. Fr. Oct.

SOAr-BERUY FAMILY.

07

Obs. This is noticed as being one of our most elegant native climbers ;
it is highly ornamental when trained upon a trellis-work, or around
the supports of a piazza. The fruit presents, in autumn, a most bril-
liant appearance, and is a conspicuous object in dry bouquets. The
plant is readily propagated by seeds and by layers. The Burning Bush
or Spindle Tree (Euonymus atrqpurpureus, Jacq.) belongs to the same
family ; it is an upright shrub with deeply-lobed capsules of a deep red
color, and presents a most brilliant appearance after the leaves have
fallen.

ORDER XXII. SAPINDA'CEJB. (SOAP-BERRY FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs with opposite or alternate mostly compound leaves, no stipules and (often
polygamous) mostly irregular and unsymmetrical/oim-s. Petals and sepals 4-5, imb/i-
cated in the bud. Stamens 5 -10 inserted on a fleshy disk, commonly more numerous
than the petals or sepals, but rarely twice as many. Ovary 2-3-cellcd and lobod. Fruit
capsular or berry-like. Seeds without albumen ; cotyledons thick and fleshy.

FIG. 66. The Climbing Staff-tree, or Wax-work, (Celastrus scandens). 67. The fruit.

88 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. JSS'CULUS, L. HORSE-CHESTNUT.

[The ancient name of a tree which bore esculent fruit.]

Trees or shrubs. Leaves- opposite, without stipules ; leaflets to pen-
ninerved. Flowers unsymmetrical, in large showy terminal thyrsoid
panicles cr racemes, often polygamous. Calyx of 5 connected sepals.
Petals 5 (or sometimes 4, by the suppression of the lower one), un-
equal. Stamens 6-8. Ovary 3-celled ; styles' united into one. Fruit a
subglobose coriaceous capsule, echinate or unarmed, mostly 1-celled by
abortion, 2 - 3-valved with a loculicidal dehiscence. Seed mostly soli-
tary by abortion, large, subglobose, with a smooth shining reddish-
brown coat and broad paler hilum, destitute of albumen ; cotyledons
very thick and fleshy, gibbous, cohering or soldered together, remaining
under ground in germination.

1. M. HIPPOCAS'TANUM, L. Leaflets in sevens, obovate-cuneate, acute,
dentate ; flowers 5-petaled ; fruit prickly.

HORSE-CHESTNUT JEscuLus. Horse-chestnut.

Fr Maronnier d' Inde. Germ. Die Kosskastanie. Span. Castano de

Indias.

Stem 30 -50 or 60 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter, with numerous symmetrical rather
erect branches. Leaflets 4-6 or 8 inches long ; common petioles 4-6 inches long. Flowers
"white or ochroleucous, with red spots and tinges of yellow.

Cultivated. Native of Asia. Fl. May. Fr. Oct.

Obs. This ornamental tree (which is often called English Horse Chest-
nut, because it came to us by way of England — but which originally
came from Northern India — ) has not been as generally introduced as it
deserves to be. It is symmetrical and handsome, and although of slower
growth than some others, it is, in my opinion, well worth waiting for —
on account of its rare beauty, and the perfect shade it affords. The
young shoots, or branches of each year, complete their development, and
come to a full stop, early in the summer, — the residue of the season being
requisite to harden and prepare them to endure the succeeding winter ;
and no secondary branches are ever put forth during growth. This tree
has usually been remarkably exempt from the depredations of insects,
but during the past summer (1858) it has been, in some localities, badly
infested by them. In Philadelphia, numerous fine specimens were com-
pletely stripped of their foliage and probably the future vigor of the
trees much impaired. The red flowering Horse-chestnut ( JE. RUBICUXDA
and CARNEA of the horticulturists) is probably a variety of this ; it is a
smaller tree and exceedingly beautiful when in flower.

2. M. Pa'via, L. Leaflets 5 ; calyx tubular ; petals 4, erect and con-
nivent, the upper 2 longest ; stamens not longer than the corolla, fruit
smooth.

Red Buckeye.

MAPLE FAMILY. 89

Shrub or small tree. Leaflets somewhat doubly serrate, shining above, smooth or some-
what downy beneath. Flowers large, in a loose thyrsus, calyx and corolla bright red.
Virginia, Kentucky and southward. May.

Obs. The bruised branches of this aro said, by Elliott, to be employed
to stupify fish. Several other species 'are natives of the western and
southern States, known by the name of Buckeye, " from a resemblance
of the seeds to the eye of that animal. These native trees, by reason of
their abundance, have become the popular emblem of Ohio — which is
known throughout the Union by the soubriquet of the Buckeye State."
The wood of the various species is of little value. The seeds contain an
acrid and narcotic principle and abound in starch, which has been man-
ufactured from the common Horse-chestnut in Europe. The roots
yield a mucilaginous matter which is sometimes used as a substitute for
soap in washing woollens.

ORDER XXIII. ACERA'CE^E. (MAPLE FAMILY.)

Irees with a sweet sap, opposite leaves without stipules, and polygamo-dicecious, regular but
often apetalous and unsymmetrical^oii'ers. Stamens and petals inserted on a fleshy, lobed
disk. Fruit a pair of more or less diverging separable 1-seeded \vingcd keys (samaras)
with the outer margin thicker and obtuse. Seeds without albumen ; embryo coiled or folded ;
cotyledons long and thin.

1. A'CER, L. MAPLE.

[The ancient classical name of the Maple.

Flowers polygamous. Calyx colored, 5-lobed. Petals 5 or often none.
Stamens 4-12. Styles 2, long and slender, united below. Ovary 2-
celled with 2 ovules in each cell. Fruit 2 1-seeded winged keys.
* Flowers in pendulous racemes or corymbs, appearing with. the leaves.

f Petals 5.

1. A. PSEUDO-PLA'TANUS, L. Leaves heart-shaped at base, 5-lobed, un-
equally toothed ; flowers in terminal pendulous racemes ; fruit diverging.
FALSE-PLATANUS ACER. Sycamore. Greater Maple.

A large tree when fully grown. Leaves 4 -6 inches long, on petioles about the same
length. Racemes about C inches long ; rachis and filaments hairy ; Jloivers yellowish green,
the sepals and petals nearly alike • fruit smooth.

Cultivated. Native of Europe. April.

Obs. This has been introduced as an ornamental shade tree ; but I
consider our own Sugar Maple and the Norway Maple, as decidedly
preferable, notwithstanding Cowper's lines :

" nor unnoted pass

The Sycamore, capricious in attire,

Now green, now tawny, and, ere autumn yet

Have changed the woods, in scarlet honors bright."

Both this and the Plane Tree (Platanus), are vulgarly called Sycamore
in our language ; but why, is not apparent. The true " Sycamore "-
(perhaps the tree which ZACCHEUS climbed) — is a species cf Fig-tree
(Ficus Syeomorus, L.)

90 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

2. A. PLATANGI'DES, L. Juice milky ; leaves broadly heart-shaped, 5-
lobed, coarsely toothed ; flowers somewhat corymbose ; fruit divaricate,
smooth.

PLATANUS-LIKE AOEK. Norway Maple.

A large tree when full grown. Leaves 4-6 inches in length and rather wider than long
deep shining green ; petioles about as long as the leaves, when broken exuding a milky
juice. Flowers pule greenish-yellow, in loose terminal, somewhat pendulous corymbs.
Keys remarkably divaricate.
- Cultivated. Native of Europe. April.

Obs. This tree has been but recently introduced ; yet it promises to
become one of our most desirable shade trees. Its foliage is remarkably
fine, and abundant, continuing green longer than most other species ;
and it is said that its milky juice prevents the ravages of insects,
ff Petals none.

3. A. sacchari'num, L. Leaves broad, subcordate at base, 3-5-
lobed with the sinuses obtuse, — the lobes acuminate, coarsely and spar-
ingly sinuate-dentate ; flowers apetalous, pendulous on long filiform,
villous, fasciculate pedicels ; fruit turgid, smooth.

SACCHARINE ACER. Sugar Maple.

Stem 50-80 feet or more in height, and 2-3 feet in diameter. Leaves 3-o inches long,
and generally rather wider than long, dark green above, paler beneath -petioles 2-4
inches long. Calyx pale greenish-yellow, truncate and cup-like, the limb fringed with
long hairs. Petals none. Fruit ovoid at base, about an inch long — including the wing —
slightly diverging.

Rich woodlands : Canada to Georgia. Fl. April -May. Fr. Sept.

06s. This is one of the most valuable and interesting of our native
trees, — particularly in the forests of the North and West — where its
sap, in early spring, yields an immense quantity of Sugar and Syrup.
The beautiful wood, known as Bird's-eye Maple — so much admired in
cabinet work — is obtained from this species ; and it is, moreover, rarely
surpassed, in any respect, as an ornamental shade tree. The Black
Sugar Maple (A. nigrum, Michx.) is regarded as only a variety of this ;
its leaves are usually somewhat larger and of a darker green, and of a
thicker and somewhat leathery texture. The wood of the Sugar Maple
is highly valued as fuel, ranking near hickory ; it also furnishes a fine
quality of charcoal.
** Flowers in short erect clusters, from lateral leafless buds, preceding tlte

leaves.
f Petals none.

4. A. dasycar'pum, Ehrh. Leaves palmately and deeply 5-lobed with
the sinuses acute, the lobes unequally incised-dentate ; ovary densely
tomentose.

HAIRY-FRUITED ACER. Silver-leaved Maple. White Maple.

Stem 30 -60 feet high, and 2 feet or more (" in the Western States sometimes 8-9." —
Ibrr. & Gr.) in diameter, much branched, — the young branches virgate and straggling or
drooping. Leaves 3-6 inches long, bluish white or glaucous beneath ; petioles 2-5 incnes
long. Flowers in fascicles mostly of fives and sevens. Calyx pale green, truncate and

MAPLE FAMILY.

91

cup-like. Petals none. Fruit (including the wing) 2-3 inches long, one of the carpels
usually abortive ; pedfcels of the fruit an inch long. Seeds large ; embryo nearly straight.
Banks of rivers : Maine to Georgia. Fl. April. Ft: May -June.

Obs. This has been extensively introduced into our cities and vil-
lages, as an ornamental tree, — and is often mistaken for the true Sugar
Maple. It appears, indeed, from the researches of Prof. A. GRAY, that
LINNAEUS established the A. saccharinum upon a specimen of this plant ;
but, as it was done under a misapprehension of its character, the name
has been very properly transferred, by all succeeding Botanists, to the
real sugar-producing species. The Silver Maple, however, is by no
means to be compared with the Sugar Maple, even as a shade tree, —
and much less for its economical value.

ff Petals 5.

70

5. A. m'brum, L. Leaves generally 3-lobed with the sinuses acute,
subcordate at base, — the lobes acute, spreading, unequally incised-
dentate ; flowers aggregated on rather long pedicels ; ovary glabrous.
EED ACER. Eed Maple. Swamp Maple.

Stem 40-60 or 80 feet high, and 1-2 feet or more in diameter, branched, the young
branches purplish. Leaves 2- 4 inches long ; petioles 1 or 2-5 inches long. Flowers ap-
pearing before the leaves, in fascicles of fives. Calyx petaloid, and with the petals bright
purple, or often yellowish-tawny. Fruit (including the wing) near an inch long.

FIG. 68. A leaf of the Red Maple (Acer rubrum), with its winged key-fruit (samara.)
3. A staminate flower. 70. A pistillate flower, both enlarged.

92 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

. Moist low grounds ; swampy woodlands : Canada to Florida. Fl. March - April. Fr.
September.

Obs. The variety with yellowish or tawny flowers is quite common
in Pennsylvania, — and in a pretty extensive examination, I find- those
flowers generally staminate and sterile (rarely perfect) ; while the bright
purple flowers are constantly perfect. The wood of the Red Maple —
especially that variety or form of it, known as Curled Maple — is much
used in the manufacture of various articles of furniture, £c., and the
refuse timber makes excellent fuel. The bark affords a dark purplish-
blue dye, and makes a pretty good bluish-black ink. The sap of all
the species is more or less saccharine.

2. NEGUN'DO, Moench. BOX-ELDER.

[Origin of the name obscure.]

Dicecious. Calyx minute, 4-5-cleft. Petals none. STAMINATE Fl.
mostly with 5 stamens on capillary clustered pedicels. PISTILLATE
Fl. in simple slender pendulous racemes. Fruit as in Acer. Leaves
pinnate.

1. N. aceroi'des, Moench. Leaves pinnate in threes or fives ; leaflets

rhombic-ovate, coarsely cut-toothed.

ACER-LIKE NEGUNDO. Box-elder. Ash-leaved Maple.

Stem 20-40 feet high, branched ; young branches with a yellowish -green bark. Leaflets
mostly 3, sometimes odd-pinnate in fives, 3-5 inches long ; common petioles 3-4 inches in
length. Flmvers yellowish-green, from lutofcl buds ; ovaries hairy ; fruit diverging.

Low grounds : Middle and Southern and Western States. April.

Obs. A handsome little tree, more abundant in the South and West
than in the Eastern states.

ORDER XXIV. POLYGALA'CEJ^. (MILKWORT FAMILY.)

Herbs with mostly alternate simple and entire leaves, without stipules, and irregular some-
what papillionaceous powers. Stamens 4 -8, diadelphous ; anthers 1-celled, opening by a
pore at the summit. Style curved, often hooded. Fruit a 2-celled 2-seeded capsule.

1. POLYGA'LA, Tournef. MILKWORT.

[Greek, Poly, much, and Gala, milk ; from its supposed influence on the lacteal secretion.]

Sepals 5, persistent ; the upper and two lower ones small, greenish ; the
two lateral ones (called wings) much larger and petal-like. Petals 3,
hvpogynous, connected with each other and with the stamen-tube ; the
middle or lower one keeled, often crested. Capsule compressed con-
trary to the narrow partition, loculicidal. Seeds with a caruncle or
variously shaped appendage at the hilum.

1. P. Sen'ega, L. Perennial, stems simple, terete ; leaves _ alternate,
elliptic-lanceolate, the upper ones acuminate ; raceme terminal, spike-

PULSE FAMILY. 93

form; wings of the calyx orbicular-obovate, concave, rather longer

than the petals.

Seneka Snake-root. Milk wort. Mountain Flax.

Root perennial, thick and somewhat woody, with coarse branches. Stems usually several
from the same root, 9-15 inches high, herbaceous and rather flaccid. Leaves 1 or 2-4
inches long — those near tire root small, ovate and scale-like.. Flowers greenish-white.
Capsule orbicular. Seeds large, pyriform, hairy, the arillus-like caruncles nearly as long
as the se"eds.

Hilly woodlands : Canada to North Carolina. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. The root of this species is so valuable for its medicinal proper-
ties— as a stimulating expectorant, in croup, &c., — that although not
a plant of agricultural interest, every farmer ought to know its charac-
ter, and be able to recognise it when he sees it.

ORDER XXV. LEGUMINO'S^E. (PULSE FAMILY.)

Herbs, shrubs or trees with alternate stipulate and usually compound leaves, and papilio-
naceous or regular flowers. Stamens mostly 10 (rarely 5, sometimes many) monadel-
phous, diadelphous (9 and 1) , or rarely distinct. Pistil simple, becoming a legume in fruit.
Seeds without albumen, attached to the upper suture of the pod.

This vast family — comprising upwards of 400 genera — is as important as it is compre-
hensive. Among the remarkable plants, or products, belonging to the Order, and not
here described, may be mentioned — on account of their value, beauty or other character -
istics— the Logwood (Haematoxylon Campechianum, L.) — the Braziletto, or Brazil Wood
(Caesalpinia Brasiliensis, L.) — the Rose Wood (a species of Mimosa) — the Sissoo Wood of
India (Dalbergia Sissoo Roxb.)— the Red Sandal Wood (Pterocarpus santalinus, L.)— the
Liquorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra, L.) — the Tamarind tree (Tamarindus Indica, L.) —
the Tonka Bean (Dipterix odorata, Willfl.) — the Senna of the Shops (Cassia Senna, L.) —
the plants yielding Gum Arabic (species of Acacia) , and various other gums and balsams
— the pretty Laburnum (Citysus Laburnum, L.) — and the wonderful Sensitive plant
(Mimosa pudica, L.), &c., &c. The famous Chinese condiment called " Soy," is also ob-
tained from the seeds of a plant (Dolichos Soja, L., or Soja hispida, DC.) belonging to this
Order ; and the bean called " Dnal," in Bengal, is, I believe, the seed of the Cajauus
flavus,DC.

The numerous genera comprised in this Order are disposed in several sub-orders, tribes
and sub-tribes. Those described in this work are arranged in the following synopsis :

1. TRUE PULSE FAMILY. *PAPILIONACE^.

Calyx of 5 sepals more or less united, often unequally so. Corolla irregular. Papiliona-
ceous, consisting of 5 unequal petals inserted in the base of the calyx, the upper called the
standard (vexillum) larger than the others and enclosing them in the bud. The two
lateral called wings are exterior to the two lower, which are more or less united at their
edges and form the keel, which usually encloses the stamens and pistil. Stamens 10
(rarely 5), diadelphous, sometimes monadelphous,or distinct. Ovary 1-celled. Cotyledons
large and thick, radicle, mostly incurved. Leaves simple or compound.
* Stamens monadelphous or diadelphous. Pod continuous and 1-celled,
or sometimes 2-celled lengthwise. Cotyledons becoming green leaves
in germination. Not climbing or twining (except Wistaria) , nor tendril
bearing.

Stamens monadelphous ; anthers of 2 forms. Leaves -simple. 1. GE.MSTA.

Stamens diadelphous (9 & 1). Leaves palmatcly 3-(or rarely pinnately
5-)foliolate. Pods small, resembling ak'enes. Herbs.
Flowers in heads. Pods thin, enclosed in the persistent calyx, 1 - 6-

seeded. 2. TRIFOIJUM.

Flowers in racemes, or spikes.

Pods wrinkled, coriaceous. 3. MEULOTJS.

Pods curved or spirally coiled. . 4. MEDICAGO.

94

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Stamens diadclplious. Pods several-
seeded, at length 2-valved, 1-celled
(rarely with cellular partitions be-
tween the seeds). Leaves unequally
pinnate. Flowers in racemes.

Pods flat and thin, margined on one
edge. Trees or shrubs ; leaflets
stipellate.

Pods tumid marginless. Shrubs
with long twining stems ; leaf-
lets not stipellate.
Keel with a subulate spur on each
side. Pods deflected on the
pedicel, with cellular partitions
between the truncate seeds.
Herbaceous.

** Stamens diadelphous. Pod continu-
ous, 1-celled. Cotyledons remaining
under ground in germination. Herbs
with the common petiole generally
produced into a bristle or tendril.
Leaves without tendrils.

Leaves odd-pinnate in 4- 6 pairs.

Pods inflated, 2-seeded.
Leaves equally pinnate. Pods form-
ed under ground.
Leaves with tendrils.
Tendril simple, nearly obsolete.
Seeds large, fixed by one end.
Stem erect.

Tendrils nearly simple. Seeds
small, lenticular, 2 in each pod.
Tendrils long and branching, calyx
lobe leafy. Stipules large. Seeds
globular.
Tendril conspicuous, calyx lobes

not leafy. Style hairy.

*** Stamens diadelphous. Cotyledons rising above ground in germination.
Twining herbs, leaves without tendrils. Flowers in racemes. Keel
spiral.

Stamens 10 distinct. Keel petals distinct. Pods inflated. Leaves pal-
mately 3-foliolate.

71

5. ROBIMA

6. WISTARIA.

7. INDIGOFERA

8. CICER.

9. ARACHIS.

10. FABA.

11. ERVUM.

12. PISUM.

13. VICIA.

14. PHASEOLCS.
15.

2. BEASILETTO FAMILY. C^SALPINEJS.

Corolla nearly regular, often somewhat papilionaceous, the standard

then within the other petals. Stamens 10 or fewer, distinct.

Flowers imperfectly papilionaceous, reddish, appearing before the

simple roundish heart-shaped leaves. Trees. 16. CERCIS.

Flowers not papilionaceous. Herbs with simply pinnate leaves and

yellow flowers. 17. CASSIA.

Trees with leaves mostly twice pinnate. Flowers not at all papilio-
naceous, dioecious or polygamous.

Flowers dioecious. Stamens 10 and petals 5, inserted on the summit
of the funnel-shaped calyx-tube. Pod broad and hard. Leaves
2-pinnate. 18. GYMN-OCLADTTS.

Flowers polygamous. Stamens and Petals 3-5 on the bottom of the

open calyx. Pod long and flat. Leaves 1 - 2-pinnate. 19. GLEDITSCHIA.

FIG. 71. The common Pea (Pisum sativum), showing a pinnate leaf with very large
stipules, terminated by a tendril ; a papilionaceous flower and an immature leguma.

TULSE FAMILY.

95

73

FIG. 72. An enlarged flower of a Pea (Pisum sativum) divided to show the position of the
parts;illustrating the general structure of the true Pulse Family (Papilionacese). a Sepals.
6 Outer petal or banner, c One of the side petals or wings, d One of the two lower
petals which form the keel, e, Stamen tube. /The ovary containing the ovules. 73
Pea flower with petals aud calyx removed, showing the united stamens (diadelpho'is
9 & 1), enclosing the pistil.

96 WEEDS AND USEFUL P1.A.NTS.

1. GENISTA, L. WOAD-WAXEN.

[Name from the Celti'* gen, a bush.]

Calyx 2-lipped. Standard oblong-oval, spreading. Keel oblong, straight,

scarcely enclosing the stamens and style. Stamens monadelphous, the

sheath entire ; 5 alternate anthers shorter. Pod fiat, several-seeded.

Shrubby plants. Leaves simple. Flowers yellow.

1. G. TiNCTOvRiA, L. Low, thornless, with striate angled erect branches ;

leaves lanceolate ; flowers in spiked racemes.

DYER'S GENISTA. Woad-waxen. Whin. Dyer's Green Weed.

Stem about a foot high, erect or ascending. Leaves sessile, rather distant. Flowers
bright yellow with a small bract at the base of each.
A native of Europe, Massachusetts and E. New York. June -July.

Obs. This plant has become thoroughly naturalized in some places, especi-
ally in Eastern Massachusetts, where it is so abundant in some localities as
to give to the hill-sides a yellow appearance when in flower. It abounds in
coloring matter, and is used to dye wool yellow. It is said that when
cows feed upon it their milk becomes bitter. It has some medicinal repu-
tation, and is a popular remedy among the Russian peasantry for hydro-
phobia, a °

2. TRIFO'LIUM, L. CLOVER.

[Latin, Ires, three, and/oM-um, leaf ; characteristic of the genus.]

Calyx tubular, persistent, 5-cleft ; segments subulate. Corolla usually
withering ; petals more or less united, and mostly free from the stamen-
tube ; keel shorter than the wings and vexillum. Legume small, mem-
branaceous, scarcely dehiscent, 1-2- (rarely 3 - 4-) seeded, mostly
included in the calyx-tube. Flowers mostly in heads or spikes. Stipules
adnate to the base of the petiole.

* Florets sessile in compact heads ; corolla purple or pale pink and spotted.
1. T. arvense, L. Stem erect, pilose ; leaflets linear-ob ovate or spatu-
late, minutely 3-toothed at apex ; stipules narrow, subulate-acuminate ;
heads oblong-cylindric, softly villous ; calyx-segments longer than the
corolla ; petals scarcely united.

FIELD TRIFOLIUM. Stone Clover. Welsh Clover. Kabbit-foot.
Fr. Pied de Lievre. Germ. Der Haseii Klee. Span. Pie de Liebre.

Whole plant softly pilose. Root annual. Stem 6-12 inches high, slender, generally
much branched. Leaflets half an inch to an inch long ; common petioles one-fourth of an
inch to an inch long. Corolla inconspicuous, whitish or pale pink, with a purple spot on
the wings. Legume 1-sceded.

Sterile old fields: Canada to Florida: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June-
Augiist. Fr. August -October.

Obs. This species — a naturalized foreigner — is only entitled to the
notice of the farmer on account of its prevalence and its worthlessness.
Its presence is a pretty sure indication of a thin soil, and neglected Agri-
culture : and the appropriate remedy is to improve both. It is then
easily superseded by more valuable plants.

PULSE FAMILY.

97

2. T. pratense, L. Stems ascending ; leaflets oval or ovate-oblong, often
retuse ; stipules broad, terminating in a bristle-like point ; heads ovoid,
dense-flowered, sessile, bracteate at base ; calyx-segments scarcely half
as long as the corolla, the lower one longer than the others.

MEADOW TRIFOLIUM. Red
Clover. Common Clover.

Fr. Trefle des Pres.
Der Wiesen-Klee.
Trebol.

Germ.
Span.

75

A.H.

Root biennial, or perennial ? large,
fusiform. Stems several from the
same root, 1 - 2 or 3 feet long, rather
weak at base and often decumbent,
somewhat branched, striate and
pilose. Leaflets half an ir^h to an
inch and a half long, sessile, usu-
ally with a broad paler spot in the
middle, hairy beneath ; common
petiole half an inch to 4 - 5 inches
long. Heads of flowers ovoid or
subglobose, an inch or more in
diameter. Corolla purplish-red
(rarely white)— the petals all
united into a slender tube about
half an inch in length. Legume
1-seeded, included in the calyx.
Seed reniform, greenish-yellow with
a shade of reddish brown.

Cultivated fields, meadows, &c.
Canada to Florida : introduced.
Native of Europe. Fl. May -Sept.
Fr. July -October.

Obs. This plant (which is sometimes spoken of in works upon agriculture
as a grass,) is one of the most valuable forage plants. It is thoroughly natu-
ralized ; but it is also diligently cultivated by all good farmers. In con-
junction with the grasses — especially with Timothy (Phleum pratense)
it makes the best of hay — though by itself it is rather indifferent pasture.
Its culture exerts a most kindly influence on the soil, and its introduction
as an ameliorating crop, has had a most beneficial influence upon Agri-
culture. It is the crop most frequently cultivated to " turn in," and
thus enrich the soil with organic matter. The plant is generally con-
sidered to be a biennial ; but Mr. JOSHUA HOOPES — who is a very acute
observer — assures me, he has satisfactorily ascertained that the plant will
live more than two years. It is not known at what time clover came
into general cultivation in this country ; but it is recorded that JOHN
BARTRAM had fields of it, prior to the American Revolution. The
flowers contain much nectar, — but the tube of the corolla is so long that
the Honey Bee cannot reach the treasure with its proboscis ; and conse-

FIG. 74. A cluster or head of the flowers of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) ; and a tri-
foliolate leaf. 75. A separate flower, enlarged, a A pod, or rounded legume, b The
seed, c The embryo removed from the seed coat.

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

quently that insect rarely alights on the heads, but leaves them to the
more amply provided Humble Bee. I have met with a number of in-
stances in which the corolla was replaced by five distinct green leaflets —
with other modifications of the flower, which finely illustrated Goethe's
theory of retrograde metamorphosis. The nearly related Zigzag Clover
(T. medium), which has entire and spotless leaflets and larger, deeper
purple, and mostly stalked heads, is naturalized in B. Massachusetts.

** Florets pedicellate in umbel-like round heads ; corolla white or rose-
color, turning brownish in fading ; the short pedicels rejlexed when old.

3. T. re'pens, L. Stems creeping, diffuse ; leaflets roundish-obovate
and emarginate, or almost obcordate, denticulate ; heads depressed-glo-
bose, on very long axillary peduncles ; legumes about 4-seeded.

CREEPING TRIFOLIUM. White Clover. Dutch Clover.

Fr. Triolet. Trefle blanche. Germ. Weisser-Klee. Span. Trebol bianco'

Root perennial. Stem 4-12 or 15 inches long, smooth, procumbent, radicating, diffusely
branching from the base. Leaflets half an inch to an inch long ; common petiole 1 or 2-6
or 8 inches long. Heads of flowers on erect sulcate naked peduncles which are from 2-8
and twelve inches in length. Corolla white, withering and becoming a pale dirty brown.
Legume %- % of an inch long, torulose,2 or 3-5-seeded. Seeds irregularly ovoid, reddish-
brown.

Pastures, woodlands, &c., throughout the United States. Fl. May -September. Fr.
July -October.

Obs. The pedicellate florets are somewhat corymbose — forming de-
pressed-globose or vertically flatted heads. The outer or lower florets
open first, and are successively reflexed, — so that, during the process of
flowering, the heads appear horizontally divided between the withered
and the young or opening florets. This species is everywhere common —
and in some years very abundant, — though rarely cultivated. Its flowers
are a favorite resort of the Honey Bee ; and the plant is esteemed, as
affording an excellent pasture in the cooler portions of the country —
though Mr. ELLIOTT speaks unfavorably of it, in the South. TOEREY
and GRAY consider the White Clover as indigenous, while others be-
lieve it to have been introduced from Europe. JONATHAN DICKINSON,
in 1719 (vide Watson's Annals), writing from Pennsylvania, says, "the
white clover already tinges the roads as a natural production." KALM,
in 1748, spoke of it as being abundant, here. T. reflex'um, L.,
(Buffalo Clover), which has ascending pubescent stems, and very
large heads of red and white flowers, and the nearly related T.
stoloniferum, Muhl. (Running Buffalo Clover), with long runners,
are common at the West. But little is known of their agricultural
value. Two introduced, .annual species, are found in old fields and
along road-sides ; they have both yellow flowers, which are reflexed and
become chestnut-brown with age, viz. : T. agranum, L., (Yellow
or Hop Clover), which is mostly erect, with leaflets all from the same

PULSE FAMILY. 99

point; T. procumbent, L,, (Low Hop Clover), usually procumbent,
the terminal leaflet petiolulate. They are worthless species, — which
are gradually extending themselves from our sea- ports to the interior
of the country.

3. MELILO'TUS, Tournef. MELILOT.

[Greek, Mdi, honey, and Lotus ; a Lotus-like plant, attractive of Bees.]

Calyx as in Clover. Corolla deciduous. Legume longer than the calyx,
coriaceous, globose or ovoid, 1- few-seeded, scarcely dehiscent. Herbs
becoming fragrant in drying. Flowers mostly in long spicate racemes.
1. M. alba. Lam. Stem rather erect, striate ; leaflets ovate-oblong,
somewhat emarginately truncate at apex, mucronate, remotely dentate-
serrate ; racemes loose, elongated ; corolla white, the standard longer
than the other petals ; legume ovoid-oblong, wrinkled ; 1 - 2-seeded.
WHITE- FLOWERED MELILOTUS. Tree Clover. Bokhara Clover.
Fr. Le Melilot blanc. Germ. Weisser Steinklee. Span. Meliloto.

Root biennial? Stem at first ascending or oblique, finally erect, 3-5 or 6 feet high, stout,
striate-ribbed, smooth, pauiculately branched. Leaflets an inch to an inch and a half
long ; common petioles 1-2 inches long. Racemes 2-4 inches long, on axillary peduncles
1-2 inches in length. Flowers retrorsely imbricated before opening.

Introduced, and partially cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June -August. Fr.
August - September.

Obs. This plant has been introduced by some amateur farmers, and
much commended as being specially suited for soiling (or cutting, as
wanted, for stock that are kept up) ; but, without any practical know-
ledge on my part, I cannot help doubting whether so coarse a plant can
be as valuable as the common Red Clover. A former species of this
genus (M. coerulea, Lam.} — but which has been separated, and is now
the Trigonella coerulea, DC., a plant of strong and enduring odor — is
employed, in Switzerland, to give the peculiar flavor to the famous
Sc/tabzieger, or (as it is usually called in the vernacular) " Sap-sago "
Cheese. Another species with yellow flowers (M. officinalis, Willd.}, is
also found in waste places.

4. MEDIC A'GO, Tournef. MEDICK.

[So named by the Greeks, from having been introduced by the Medes.]

Flowers mostly as in Melilotus. Legume usually many-seeded, of various
forms — always more or less falcate, or spirally coiled. Leaves pinnately
3-foliolate.

1. M. sativa, L. Stem erect ; leaflets obovate-oblong, dentate ; stipules
lanceolate, subdentate ; racemes oblong ; legumes spirally twisted, finely
reticulated, several-seeded.

CULTIVATED MEDICAGO. Lucerne. Spanish Trefoil. French Luzerne.
Fr. La Luzerne. Germ. Der Schneckenklee. Span. Alfalfa. Mielga.

100 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Root perennial. Stem 1-2 feet high, branched, smoothish. Leaflets half an inch to an
inch long — the lateral ones subsessile, the terminal one petiolulate ; common petiole one-
fourth to three-fourths of an inch long. Racemes erect, on peduncles half an inch to an
inch long. Corolla violet-purple, nearly twice as long as the calyx.

Introduced : cultivated. Native of Spain. Fl. June -July. Fr. August.

Obs. This was formerly cultivated on a small scale, as a fodder ; but
it did not find favor with our farmers, and is now rarely seen in Pennsyl-
vania. It might answer, for soiling, in suitable situations — though I
think the stem is too ligneous and wiry to become a favorite fodder,
where the red clover can be had. Its culture is successful in Northern
Mexico, where it is cut several times during the season. The Saint-fain
(Hedysarum Onobrychis, L., or Onobrychis saliva, Lam., a plant of the
Hedysarum tribe), is much cultivated for fodder, on the calcareous soils
of Europe — and the late Mr. CRAWFORD, of Georgia, interested himself
in endeavoring to introduce it into the Southern States ; but I do not
learn that its culture was adopted to any extent. I have never met with
it on any farm ; and presume it scarcely belongs to the Agriculture of
this country.

2. M. lupuli'na, L. Stem procumbent, pubescent ; leaflets wedge-
obovate, denticulate at the apex ; flowers in short spikes, yellow ; legumes
reniform 1-seeded.
HOP-LIKE MEDIC AGO. Black Medick. Nonesuch.

Biennial? Stem 6-12 inches long, somewhat branched, procumbent. Leaflets y* an
inch to nearly an inch long, sometimes nearly rhomboid. Common petioles % of an inch
to an inch in length. Heads of flowers at first roundish, finally oblong, on slender pedun-
cles 1-2 inches long. Legumes black at maturity.

Fields, &c. Nat. from Europe. June -Aug.

Obs. This species which, when in flower, resembles a yellow clover,
is quite common in pastures in England, and is sparingly naturalized in
this country. Several other species, recognized by their spirally coiled
pods, are sometimes found in waste places, their seeds having been intro-
duced in wool. *

5. EOBI'NIA, L. LOCUST-TREE.

[Name in honor of John and Vespasian Robin; French Botanists.]

Calyx short, 5-toothed, slightly 2-lipped. Vexillum large and rounded,
reflexed, scarcely longer than the wings and keel. Legume compressed,

FIG. 76. A curved pod of Lucerne (Medicago pativum).

PULSE

many-seeded, tne upper or seed-bearing suture margined. Trees or shrubs.
Leaflets petiolulate, stipellate ; base of the leafstalks enlarged, covering
the buds of the ensuing year.

1. R. Pseud-aca'cia, L. Branches virgate, armed with stipular prickles ;
leaflets oblong-ovate ; racemes loose, drooping ; legumes smooth.
FALSE-ACACIA KOBINIA. Locust-tree.

Stem 30 - 60 or 80 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter. Leaflets 3 or 4 - 8 or 9 pairs, 1-2
inches long, each with a small subulate stipd at base ; common petiole pinnate nearly to
the base, with 2 stout prickles in place of stipules. Racemes 3-6 inches long. Corolla
white. Legume 2-3 inches long.

Mountain forests : Pennsylvania to Arkansas. Fl. May- June. Fr. September.

Obs. The Locust-tree, though generally found in the Middle and
Eastern States, is only truly indigenous in the Western and Southern
portions of the Union. It attains its greatest perfection in Kentucky
and Tennessee, where it reaches to the height of 90 feet, with a diameter
of 4 feet. The timber is one of the most valuable, whether for strength
or durability ; in the former quality it ranks but little below the oak,
while its resistance to decay, even when exposed to the most destructive
influences, exceeds that of the wood of any other of our forest-trees. It
is largely employed in ship building, and is preferred to any other wood
for treenails, as the pins are called which fasten the planks to the frame
of the vessel. For posts, rail-road ties or sleepers, &c., it is invaluable.
The Locust is often planted as an ornamental tree ; it has a graceful
habit, and is highly — even oppressively— fragrant, when in flower. The
disadvantages attending its culture about dwellings are, the readiness
with which its branches are broken by the winds, the many suckers its
roots send up, and the numerous insects that live upon it. Indeed, so
many insects prey upon this tree, that in some localities it seldom attains
any great size. It is said that when the trees are planted closely, so as
to form Locust Groves, they are much less liable to the attacks of worms
than when they grow singly. Considering the value of the timber and
the rapidity of its growth, even on light and poor land, the culture of
the Locust is worthy of much more attention than it has yet received at
the hands of our farmers. The Clammy Locust (R. visco'sa, Vent.) is
interior in size and value ; it has the branches clothed with viscid glands,
and is found on the southern borders of Virginia, and further South.
The Rose Acacia (R. his'pida, L.) is a shrub 3-8 feet high, with large
rose-colored flowers. It is often cultivated, but is inclined to spread and
become troublesome if not kept within bounds.

6. WISTA'RIA, Nutt. WISTARIA.

[Named for Prof. Caspar Wistar, of the University of Pennsylvania.]

Calyx campanulate, somewhat 2-lipped ; the upper lip of 2 short teeth ;
the lower of 3 longer ones. Standard large, with 2 callosities at base ;
keel scythe-shaped ; wings with one or two auricles at base. Pod stipi-
tate, elongated, nearly terete, knobby, many-seeded. Twining shrubs

USEFUL TLAJS'TS.

with unequally pinnate leaves of 9-13 leaflets, and minute stipules, with
lilac-colored flowers in large racemes.

1. W, frutes'cens, DC. Wings of the corolla 2-auricled at base;
ovary glabrous.

Virginia, South and West. May.
WOODY WISTARIA. Glycine. Carolina Kidney Bean.

2. W. CHINEN'SIS, DC. Wings of corolla 1-auricled at base ; ovary hairy.
Cultivated. Native of China. May.

CHINESE WISTARIA. Glycine.

Obs. These beautiful vines, the one a native of the rich alluvial soils
of the southern portion of the Union, and the other from China, are
eminently worthy of cultivation. They both grow readily, are quite
hardy, and may be propagated with the greatest ease. The Chinese
species is most generally cultivated, its flower racemes being much
larger than in the native one ; but the other is much darker colored,
and has more fragrance. *

7. INDIGOF'ERA, L. INDIGO.

[A Latinized name ; meaning a plant that produces or brings Indigo.]

Calyx 5-cleft ; segments acute. Vexillum orbicular, emarginate ; keel
with a subulate spur on each side — at length often bent back elastic-
ally. Stamens diadelphous. Style filiform, glabrous. Legume continu-
ous, 1- few- or many-seeded. Seeds truncate at both ends, often separat-
ed by cellular partitions. Herbaceous or suffruticose plants. Leaves
various, usually odd-pinnate ; stipules small, distinct from the petiole.
Flowers in axillary racemes.

1. I. TINCTO'KIA, L. Stem suffruticose, erect; joung branches and

common petioles clothed with a cinereous pubescence ; leaflets in 4 or 5

pairs, with a terminal odd one, oval or obovate-oblong, mucronate,

petiolulate, somewhat pubescent beneath with whitish appressed hairs ;

racemes shorter than the leaves ; legumes sub-terete, torulose, curved

and bent downwards.

DYER'S INDIGOFERA. Indigo. Indigo-plant.

Fr. L'Indigotier. Germ. Die Indigopflanze. Span. Indigo.

Annual or Hennial. Stem. 2-3 feet high, branching. Leaflets half an inch to an inch in
length; common petiole 2 - 3 inches long. Racemes 1-2 inches long. Corolla purplish-
blue. Legumes numerous, half an inch to three-quarters in length, deflected on the
pedicel, curved upwards.

Southern States : cultivated. Native of Asia and Africa.

06s. This plant, so important in yielding a blue coloring matter —
was formerly cultivated to a considerable extent, in Georgia, and some
other portions of the South : but the supply from India, and other
places abroad, seems to have curtailed that branch of Southern Agri-
culture,— and has probably turned the attention of the planters to a

PULSE FAMILY. 103

more healthful and agreeable, if not a more profitable, employment.
The indigo-plant is said to be annual, when subject to inundations, —
as on the delta of the Ganges ; but it is sometimes fruticose — yielding
one or two ratoon crops (i. e. successive growths of suckers, or sprouts),
after having been cut off. Another species — I. ANIL, L. — is said to
be also cultivated at the South. It differs from the above chiefly in its
flattened, even (not torulose) pods.

8. 01' GEE, Tournef. CHICK-PEA.

[The Latin name for a species of Vetch ; applied to this genus.]

Calyx somewhat gibbous at base, 5-parted ; segments acuminate, —

the upper ones incumbent on the vexillum. Legume turgid, 2-seeded.

Seeds gibbous.

1. 0. ARIETI'NUM, L. Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets cuneate-obovate,

serrate ; stipules lanceolate, subdenticulate ; calyx slightly gibbous, —

the segments as long as the wings of the corolla.

RAM CICER. Coffee-pea. Chick-pea. Garavances.

Fr. Le Pois Chiche. Germ. Gemeine Kicher. Span. Garbanzo.

Whole plant canescent and glandular-pilose, the hairs secreting oxalic acid. Root
annual. Stem 9-18 inches high, branching. Leaflets about half an inch long, in 4-6
pairs (often alternate) with a terminal odd one instead of a tendril. Flowers axillary ,
solitary, white. Seed gibbous, pointed — in form resembling the head of a sheep — and
hence the specific name.

Gardens: cultivated. Native of Europe and the East. Fl. July - September. Fr.
August -October.

Obs. This is sometimes cultivated for the seeds — which are said to
be a tolerable substitute for coffee. The seeds are much used, as food
for horses, &c. in India, — being very abundant (as I recollect to have
seen it) in the Bazaars at Calcutta, under the name of " Gram." This
vetch is the " Hamoos Pea '' which is announced as a novelty, or a great
curiosity (discovered among the Arabs) in LYXCH'S Expedition to the
Dead Sea ; though it has been familiarly known in the gardens, through-
out the civilized world, ever since the days of Tournefort — if not of
Homer ! So much for the penny-wise policy of sending out Exploring
Expeditions unaccompanied by competent Naturalists.

9. AEA'CHIS, L. PEANUT.

[An ancient name of obscure meaning.]

Dmciously polgyamous. The sterile and fertile flowers produced together
in the axils ; the STERILE, most numerous in the upper axils, with a
slender calyx tube, the limb bilabiate, the upper lip 4-toothcd, the lower
entire. Stamens monadelphous (9 united and 1 abortive,) ovary mi-
nute, abortive. FERTILE FL. without ealj x, corolla, or stamens. Ovary
on an elongating stipe by which it is thrust under ground, where it ma-
tures as an oblong obtuse terete pod, the indehiscent valves becoming
thickened and somewhat woody, reticulately veined on the surface.

104

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Seeds irregularly ovoid with very thick cotyledons and a straight radicle.
Herbs with even-pinnate leaves having elongated stipules adnate to the
petiole, the stipe or peduncle of the fertile flowers often elongating sev-
eral inches before reaching the earth. (This plant properly belongs to
a section of the order not included in our synopsis, and is placed here
as a matter of convenience.)

1. A. HYPOG^J'A, L. Stem procumbent; leaflets obovate, — the com-
mon petiole not produced into a tendril.

SUBTERRANEAN ARACHIS. Ground-nut. Pea-nut.

Fr. L'Arachide. Germ. Die Erd-nuss. Span. Mani.

Root annual. Stem 9-18 inches long, prostrate or erect, branching, pilose. Leaflets an
inch to an inch and a half long, subsessile, minutely mucronate at apex, entire and bor-
dered by a pilose nerve; common petioles 1-2 inches long, channelled above, pilose.
Sterile floivers, 1 or 2 - 5 or 7, in the upper axils, on long slender pedicels — the corolla
orange-yellow.

Cultivated. Native of South America. Fl. July - September. Fr. September -October.

FIG. 77. The Pea-nut (Arachis hypogsea) , exhibiting the manner in which the ovaries,
after flowering, bury themselves in the%arth, where they ripen.

PULSE FAMILY. 105

Obs. The summers are rather short for this plant, in Pennsylvania, —
where it is sometimes seen in gardens, as a curiosity : but, in the South-
ern states it is cultivated to a great extent, — and from thence our nut-
merchants derive their supply. The seeds, — either raw, or roasted in
the legumes— are quite a favorite with children, and others ; and large
quantities of them are consumed at all public gatherings. The seeds
are said, also, to yield a valuable oil.

10. FA'BA, Tournef. HORSE-BEAN.

[The Latin name for a Bean; appropriated to this genus.]

Calyx tubular, 5-cleft, — the two upper segments shorter. Style bent
nearly at a right angle with the ovary ; stigma villous. Legume large,
coriaceous, somewhat tumid. Seeds oblong, subcompressed, with the
hilum at one end. Stem erect. Tendrils simple and nearly obsolete.

1. F. VULGA'RIS, Muench. Leaflets 2 - 4, oval, mucronate ; stipules semi-
sagittate, obliquely ovate.

COMMON FABA. Horse Bean. Windsor Bean.

Fr. Feve de Marais. Germ. Die Sau-Bohne. Span. H&ba.

Root annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, simple, smooth. Leaflets 2-3 inches long, entire,
smooth ; tendrils obsolete ; stipules large. Flowers in simple erect axillary racemes.
Corolla white, with a large black spot ou each wing. Legume 2-3 inches long, torulose.

Gardens : cultivated. Fl. June - July. Fr, August.

Obs. This bean — originally from the shores of the Caspian Sea —
is sometimes cultivated for the table, — but is not generally admired.
The seeds have a strong and rather unpleasant flavor.

11. ER'VUM, Tournef. LENTIL.

[The Latin name for a species of Vetch or Tare.]

Calyx 5-parted ; segments lance-linear, acute, about as long as the
corolla. Style ascending ; stigma glabrous. Legume 2 - 4-seeded.

1. E. LENS, L. Stem erect, branching ; leaflets elliptic oblong, some-
what pilose ; stipules obliquely ovate-lanceolate, ciliate ; peduncles
axillary, 2 -3-flowered ; legumes broad, short, finely reticulated, smooth,
2-seeded ; seeds lenticular.

Lentil.

Fr. La Lentille. Germ. Gemeiue Linse. Span. Lenteja.

Root annual. Stem 6-12 inches high. Leaflets 3-6 or 8 pairs, half an inch long ; ten-
drils nearly simple. Corolla white or pale purple. Legume about half an inch long. Seeds

2, orbicular, compressed, white or tawny yellow.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June - July. Fr. August.

0>s. This Yetch is cultivated in the old world, chiefly, I believe, as
food for stock, — both herbage and seeds serving that purpose. The
plant is sometimes seen in gardens here ; but it will scarcely command
the attention of American agriculturists. When properly cooked, len-
tils are a tolerable substitute for beans ; they are much prized as food

" 5*

100 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

by the Mexicans, and form the basis of the " Linsen Soup " of the Ger-
mans. It appears from Dr. J. D. HOOKER'S Notes, that the seeds of this
plant are sometimes called " Gram," in India ; but that name is believed
to be more usually applied to the seeds of Cicer.

12. PI'SUM, Tournef. PEA.

[The Latin name for the common Tea.]

Calyx-segments foliaceous, the two upper ones shorter. Vexillum large,
reflexed. Style compressed, keeled, villous on the upper margin. Le-
gume oblong. Seeds numerous, globose, with an orbicular hilum.
1. P. SATI'VUM, L. Leaflets rhomboid-ovate, rather obtuse, mucronate,
entire ; stipules very large, ovate, semi-sagittate, crenate-dentate at base ;
peduncles 2 or many-flowered ; legumes subcarnose.
CULTIVATED PISUM. Pea. Garden-pea.
Fr. Pois cultive. Germ. Gemeine Erbse. Span. Guisante.

Plant smooth and glaucous. Root annual. Stem 1 - 3 or 4 feet long : flaccid, climbing
by tendrils. Leaflets usually 2 pairs, 1-2 or 3 inches long; tendrils long and branch-
ing ; stipules larger than the leaflets. Peduncles axillary, 1 or 2-6 inches long, often with
two flowers at summit. Corolla white. Style reflexed. Legume about two inches long,
subterete.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native country unknown: Fl. June -July. Fr. July-
August.

Obs. Several varieties of this are cultivated (one or more of them
in almost every garden), chiefly for the young seeds, or " green peas,"
which afford a favorite dish at table. In the Northern states, the field
culture of Peas (for the mature seeds,) is much attended to ; but it is
rarely seen in Pennsylvania — or, I believe, south of that. The Sweet
Pea and the Everlasting Pea, cultivated for ornament, belong to the
genus Lathyrus of the same tribe.

13. YI'CIA, Tournef. VETCH.

[The ancient Latin name for Vetch or Tare.]

Calyx 5-cleft, or 5-toothed, the two upper teeth shorter. Style filiform,

bent; stigma villous. Legume oblong, mostly many-seeded. Seeds

with the hilum lateral.

1. Y. SATI'VA, L. Annual ; stem simple ; leaflets 5-7 pairs, obovate-

oblong to linear, retuse, mucronate ; flowers mostly in pairs, nearly

sessile.

CULTIVATED VICIA. Common Vetch. Tare.

Stem 1-3 feet long, procumbent or climbing by tendrils. Leaflets % of an inch to an
inch and a half in length. Flowers violet purple, axillary.
Cultivated grounds. Native of Europe. June -August.

Obs. This species was formerly much cultivated, and seems still to
be highly prized, in Europe, as a fodder for cattle ; but in this country
it is regarded as a mere weed.

PULSE FAMILY. 107

14. PHASE'OLUS, L. BEAN.

[The ancient name of the Kidney Bean.]

Calyx somewhat bilabiate,-the upper lid bifid or emarginate, the lower 0112
trifid. Keel (of the corolla) together with the stamens and style, spirally
twisted or incurved. Ovary stipitate, the stipe sheathed. Legume linear
or falcate, compressed or subterete, tipped with the base of the style, many-
seeded. Seeds reniform, with an oval-oblong kilum. Leaves trifoliolate.

1. P. VULGA'RIS, Savi. Stern mostly volubile ; leaflets ovate acumi-
nate ; racemes solitary, pedunculate ; bracts as long as the calyx ; L-
guines nearly linear and straight, long-mucronate ; seeds reuiform.
COMMON PHASEOLUS. Kidney Bean. String Bean. Pole Bean.

Ft: Haricot. Germ. Gemeine Bolme. Span. Fasoles.

Root annual. Stem 4-6 or 8 feet long, slender, volubile and climbing (always twining,
against the sun— W. S. E.)— cr short and erect (in the bunch variety). Leaflets 2 - 4 or 5
inches long ; common petioles 1 -5 or 6 inches long. Racemes on stout peduncles 1-3 or 4
inches long. Corolla mostly white. Legume 3 - 6 inches long. Seeds more or less reni-
form, whitish, or of various colors.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of India. Fl. June - August. Fr. September.

Obs. Yery generally cultivated for the table, — both seeds and le-
gumes being eaten while young ; when mature, the seeds only. The
" baked beans " of New England, constitute a sort of national dish
among the descendants of the Pilgrims.

The P. NANUS, L. Dwarf or Bunch Bean (with a short erect stem,
more acuminate leaflets, and larger bracts), is supposed to be only one
of the many varieties produced by long culture.

2. P. LUNA'TUS, L. Stem volubile, smoothish ; leaflets obliquely- or
deltoid-ovate, acute ; racemes subpedunculate ; bracts shorter than the
calyx ; legumes broad, compressed, scymitar-form or somewhat lunate ;
seeds much compressed, broad.

LUNATE PHASEOLUS. Lima Bean. Carolina Bean.

Root annual. Stem 6-8 or 10 feet long, branching, slender, volubile and climbing. Leaf-
lets 2 -4 inches long ; common petioles 2-6 inches long. Racemes loose flowered, on pedun-
cles about two-thirds of an inch long. Corolla greenish-white, rather small. Legumes
2-3 inches long, and about an inch wide. Seeds few, large, flattish and mostly white.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Fl. July - August. Fr, September -October.

Obs. This species (supposed to be a native of Bengal — though gen-
erally named as if of South America,) affords a favorite dish, in the
latter part of summer, — the large seeds only being used. Both species
are tender plants, impatient of cold, and killed by the slightest frost.

15. BAPTIS'IA, Vent. FALSE INDIGO.

[Greek, Baptizo, to dip, or dye ; from its coloring properties.")

Calyx 4-5-toothed. Petals nearly equal, — the keel-petals slightly
connected. Stamens 10, distinct. Legume ventricose, stipitate in the
persistent calyx, many-seeded. Herbs ; leaves mostly trifoliolate, turn-
ing bluish-black in drying.

108 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. B. tincto'ria, R. Brown. Bushy ; smooth, and rather glaucous ;
leaflets cuneate-obovate ; stipules subulate, deciduous ; racemes termi-
nal, few-flowered.

DYER'S BAPTISIA. Wild Indigo. Horse-fly Weed. Rattle Bush.

Perennial. Stem about 2 foot high, much branched. Leaflets half an inch to an inch
long ; common petioles 1 line to % of an inch in length. Flowers yellow ; calyx 4-toothed—
the 2 upper segments being united. Legumes about half an inch long, inllated, conspicu-
ously stipitate.

Dry hills and woodlands : common. June - September.

Obs. The Wild Indigo, which is introduced here on account of its re-
puted medicinal qualities, is conspicuous when in flower, especially in
sandy woods and fields. It is said that a coarse kind of Indigo can be
prepared from its leaves, but we know of no reliable experiments upon
this point. Medicinally, it is said to possess emetic and purgative prop-
erties, and has been used externally as an application in foul ulcers. It
is often used to drive flies away from horses, being attached to their
harness, hence one of the common names ; it is probable that its efficacy
in this case, if there be any, is wholly mechanical, and not due to any
peculiar property of the plant. Several other species are found in the
South and West ; among these is B. australis, R- Brown, which is
often cultivated, — it is 4 - 5 feet high, with large racemes, 1-2 feet
long, — of handsome blue flowers. *

16. CER'CIS, L. RED-BUD.

[Greek, Kerkis, a weaver's shuttle ; from the form of the legume.]

Calyx 5-toothed, Corolla scarcely papilionaceous ; petals all distinct, un-
guiculate, — the vexillum smaller than the wings, and the keel-petals
larger. Stamens unequal. Legume oblong, acute at each end, much
compressed, 1-celled, many-seeded, — the upper suture margined, seeds
obovate ; radicle straight. Small trees, with simple entire leaves, and
membranaceous caducous stipules. Flowers fasciculate along the
branches, appearing before the leaves.

1. C. Canaden'sis, L. Leaves orbicular-cordate, acuminate, villous in
the axils of the nerves beneath.
CANADIAN CERCIS. Red-bud. Judas-tree.

-20 or 30 feet high and 6-12 inches in diameter, with somewhat geniculato
branches. Leaves 3 -4 inches long ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Flowers bright purple,
acid, on filiform pedicels which are clustered (4 -6 or 8 from a bud) on the naked branches.
Legumes about three inches long, subcoriaccous, smooth.

Banks of streams : Canada to Louisiana. Fl. April. Fr. June.

Obs. This little tree is admired, in early spring, for its clusters of
small flowers, which clothe the branches, and even the trunk, in purple,
before the leaves appear. Although not of agricultural importance, it
deserves to be known, and to have a place among ornamental shrubbery
and trees, around the mansion of the tasteful farmer.

PULSE FAMILY.

109

17. CAS'SIA, L. SENNA.

[An ancient name of obscure derivation.]

Flowers perfect ; Sepals 5, scarcely connected. Petals 5, unequal, spread-
ing, not papilionaceous. Stamens mostly 10, some of them often imper-
fect ; anthers opening at apex. Herbs : leaves equally pinnate, with a
gland near the base of the petiole.

* Leaflets large; stipules deciduous: the lower anthers fertile, the 3 upper
ones deformed and sterile.

1. C. Marilan'dica, L. Perennial ; stem erect, leaflets 6-9 pairs,
ovate oblong ; petiole with a club-shaped gland near the base ; racemes
axillary, the upper ones somewhat paniculate ; legumes at first hairy
at length smooth.
MARYLAND CASSIA. Wild, or Amerjcan Senna.

Stem 3-4 feet high, rather stout, branching. Leaflets 1-2 inches long, petiolulate-
common petioles 1-2 inches in length below the leaflets, with an obovoid subsessile aland
on the upper side. Racemes pedunculate, those in the upper axils forming a sort of ter-
minal leafy panicle ; flowert yellow, often becoming a dead white. Legumes 3 - 4 inches
long, villous when young, compressed, somewhat curved, often sinuate on the edges from
partial contractions ; seeds ovate-oblong, separated by a kind of transverse partitions.

Low grounds along streams : frequent August -October.

Obs. This very showy species is found in most parts of the United
States ; its leaves possess properties similar to those of the imported
Senna of the shops — which is also furnished by several species of the ge-

FIG. 78. Wild Senna (Cassia Marilandica) , a short raceme in the axil of an abruptly-
pinnate leaf.

110 WEEDS AND LSEFUL PLANTS.

nus Cassia. While some writers state, that it requires a third larger
dose than the imported senna, to produce the same effect, others claim for
it an equal rank as a purgative. It is cultivated to considerable extent
by the " Shakers," and though it has not received the general attention
at the hands of the medical profession that it deserves, it is frequently
used in domestic and country practice. The leaves should be collected
when the fruit is ripe, the active principle being then more fully develop-
ed than at the flowering time.

2. C. occ'denta'lis, L. Leaflets 4-6 pairs, ovate lanceolate acute;
gland ovate ; pods elongated-linear, smooth.

WESTERN CASSIA. Styptic Weed.

Perennial. jStem 4 - 6 feet high . Leaflets serrate-ciliolate. Flowers large, yellow. Le-
gume somewhat coriaceous, about 5 inches long, with a tumid border ; 20-30-seeded.
Near buildings : Virginia to Louisiana. July -October.

Obs. This plant, which ic very common at the South, is believed to be
introduced from Tropical America, where it has some medicinal reputa-
tion. The root is said to be diuretic, and the leaves are used as a dress-
ing to slight sores. *

** Leaflets small, somewhat sensitive to the touch : stipules persistent ; petio-
lar gland cup-shaped ; anthers all perfect.

3. C. Chamaecris'ta, L. Stems spreading ; leaflets 8 - 15 pairs, linear
oblong ; flowers large and showy ; stamens 1 0, unequal.

Partridge Pea. Sensitive Pea. Magothy-bay Bean.

Stem 1-2 feet high, firm and somewhat woody at base, much branched, often purplish.
Leaflets half an inch to near an inch long, minutely ciliate-sermlnte, subsessile ; common
petioles about one-third of an inch in length below the leaflets, with a depressed or cup-
like gland on the upper side. Flowers deep bright yellow (usually with purple spots at
base), in lateral subsessile fascicles above the axils of the leaves — often in pairs, some-
times 3-4. Legume about 2 inches long, hairy along the sutures.

Sandy fields : common, especially southward. July - September.

06s. In a paper read before the American Philosophical Society, May
2, 1788, and published in the 3d volume of their Transactions, Dr. Green-
way of Virginia, speaks favorably of this plant as a means of recruiting
worn out lands, by its decomposition in the soil, — though he considers
the common corn-field Pea as preferable ; and I have no doubt that the
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), properly managed, is more eligible
than either.

18. GYMNO'CLADUS, Lam. KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE.

[Greek, Gymnos, naked, and Klados, a branch ; in reference to its stout naked branches.]

Flowers dioecious, regular. Calyx tubular, 5-cleft. Petals 5, equal, ob-
long, inserted on the calyx-tube. Stamens 10, distinct, inserted with the
petals. Legume oblong, flat, the valves thick and woody, pulpy within.
A tree with the young branches clumsily thick ; leaves odd-bipinnate.

PULSE FAMILY. Ill*

1. Gr. Canaden'sis, Lam. Leaflets 7-13 on the subdivisions, ovate,
petiolulate, — the lowest a single pair ; flowers in axillary racemes.

CANADIAN GYMNOCLADUS. Kentucky Coffee-tree. Kentucky Mahogany.

Stem 50-80 feet high, branching. Leaves 2- 3 feet long, bipinnately branching ; leaf-
lets rather alternate, entire, about 3 inches in length. Flowers greenish white. Legumes
6-10 inches long, and 1-2 inches wide, somewhat falcate ; seeds nearly orbicular, a little
compressed, over half an inch in diameter.

Rich woods : W. New York to Illinois and south-westward ; also in cultivation. Fl.
May. Fr. October.

Obs. This fine tree has been introduced into the Eastern States, from
the West ; and although not equal to some others, as a shade tree, is
worthy of a place in all ornamental plantations. The timber is valuable,
possessing a fine and close grain ; qualities which adapt it to the use of
the cabinet-maker.

19. GLEDIT'SCHIA, L. HONEY LOCUST.

[Named in honor of John Gottlieb Gleditsch, a German Botanist.]

Flowers polygamous. Sepals 3-5, equal, united at base. Petals as
many as the sepals, — or fewer by abortion — or by the union of the two
lower ones. Stamens as many as the sepals and opposite them, or by
abortion fewer. Legume stipitate, often intercepted internally between
the seeds, dry or with sweet pulp around the seeds. Seeds oval. Trees :
the super-axillary branchlets often converted into simple or branched
spines. Leaves even-pinnate or bipinnate (often both forms on the same
tree.) Flowers small, somewhat spicate.

1. G, triacan'thos, L. Spines stout, mostly triple ; leaflets linear or
lance-oblong, somewhat serrate ; legumes oblong, much compressed,
somewhat falcate and undulate, many-seeded, — the intervals filled with
sweet pulp.

THREE-THORNED GLEDITSCHIA. Honey-locust. Three-thorned Acacia.
Fr. Le Fevier a trois Epines. Germ. Der Honigdorn.

Stem 30-50 or 60 feet high, and 2-3 or 4 feet in diameter. Leaflets about an inch or an
inch and a half long. Flowers yellowish green. Legumes 6-12 or 15 inches long, and an
inch or more in width, thin and wavy, or somewhat twisted.

Pennsylvania to Louisiana : often cultivated. Fl. July. Fr. September -October.

Obs. The light foliage of this tree gives it a pleasing aspect, but it is
not a good shade tree. It is in frequent cultivation as an ornamental
tree, and seems to be nearly naturalized around New- York. It has been
used with success in some localities for hedging, its formidable thorns
compensating, by their utility, for the beauty which a hedge with such
light foliage must lack. The thorns are knocked off by the winds and,
being often so compound that however they may lie, some points will
stick up, prove very troublesome by wounding the feet of cattle.

112 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ORDER XXVI. ROSA'CE^E. (ROSE FAMILY.)

Trees, shrubs or herbs with alternate stipulate leaves, and regular flowers having a calyx of 5
(rarely 3-4 or 8) sepals more or less united, often with as many bracts, and petals as
many as the sepals, inserted with the numerous (rarely few) stamens on the calyx. Pistils
1-many, free, or (in the Pear tribe) united within the calyx-tube. Seeds 1 -few in each
ovary, without albumen ; radicle straight.

This Order — comprising about sixty genera — is remarkable for the amount and variety
of its esculent products. Many of the fruits are valuable, and some of them eminently
delicious, while the type of the Order (Rosa) is by universal consent regarded as the
queen of beauty among flowers. A few of the drupaceous species of the Order contain a
dangerous quantity of Prussic Acid, in the nuts and leaves ; but the fleshy or succulent
fruits are, almost without exception, innocent and wholesome.

1. THE ALMOND SUB-FAMILY.

Ovaries solitary, free from the deciduous calyx. Style terminal. Fruit

a drupe (stone-fruit). Trees or shrubs ; the bark exuding gum ; the

bark, leaves and kernels possessing the peculiar flavor of prussic acid.

Stipules free.

Stone of the fruit rough. Petals rose-color. 1. PERSICA.

Stone of the fruit smooth. Petals white.

Stone flattened, with grooved edges. Skin of fruit downy. 2. ARMENIACA.

Stone more or less flattened, generally margined.

Fruit with a bloom. 3. PRUNFS. & 1.

Stone roundish or globular. Fruit without a bloom. 3. PRUNUS. ^2*3

2. THE ROSE SUB-FAMILY.

Ovaries many or few, separate from each other and from the calyx,

but sometimes enclosed by and concealed in its tube. Styles lateral

or terminal. Fruit either follicles or little drupes. Herbs or shrubs,

rarely trees, with simple or compound leaves. Stipules usually united

with the petiole.

Pistils 5, forming follicles in fruit. Calyx 5-cleft. Styles terminal. 4. SPIRAEA.

Pistils numerous, forming in fruit dry akenes, tipped with the feathery
persistent style. Calyx bracteolate, open. 5. GEUM.

Pistils numerous. Styles often lateral, deciduous ; fruit of dry akenes.

Calyx bracteolate, open.

Receptacle of the fruit dry and small. 6. POTENTILLA.

Receptacle of the fruit becoming large and pulpy, edible. 7. FRAGARIA.

Pistils numerous. Styles terminal, deciduous ; ovaries becoming little
drupes, cohering with one another or with the receptacle. Calyx
open, not bracteolate. 8. RUBDS.

Pistils numerous, akenes long, enclosed in the tube of the urn-shaped

calyx. 9. ROSA.

3. PEAR SUB-FAMILY.

Calyx-tube fleshy in fruit, forming a pome. Pistils 2-5, their styles
more or less separate, their ovaries united with each other and with
the tube of the calyx.
Cells of the fruit 1 -2-seeded. Fruit drupe-like, containing 2-5 stones.

Leaves simple. 10. CRAT^GUS.

Fruit with 3-5 parchment-like carpels. Leaves pinnate. Fruit berry-
like, scarlet. 11. PYRUS. § 3.
Leaves simple.

Fruit tapering to the stalk. 11. PYRUS. §1.

Fruit sunk in at both ends. 11. PYRUS. \ 2.

Cells of the fruit many-seeded, parchment-like, enveloped in muci-
lage. 12. CYDONIA.

1. PER'SICA, Tournef. PEACH.

[A name derived from Persia, its native country.]

Calyx tubular, with 5 spreading segments. Drupe oval, tomentose or

ROSE FAMILY. 113

smooth, the fleshy and succulent pulp adherent or separable from the

rugosely furrowed nut. Small trees. Leaves lanceolate, serrate, condu-

plicate in vernation. Flowers subsessile, solitary or in pairs, preceding

the leaves.

1. P. VULGAR'IS, Mill. Fruit densely tomentbse.

COMMON PERSICA. Peach. Peach-tree.

Fr. Le Pecher. Germ. Der Pfirschenbaum. Span. El Melocoton.

Stem 8-12 or 15 feet high, branching. Leaves 3-5 inches long ; petioles half an inch
long, channeled above and glandular near the leaf. Petals pale red or purplish. Drupe
with the flesh white, yellow or reddish, either adhering to the nut, and then called Cling-
stone, or separable from it — when it is termed Freestone.

Cultivated. Native of Persia. Fl. April. Fr. Aug. - Sept.

Obs. The fruit of this tree, like most of those which have had the
advantage of long and careful culture, presents numerous varieties,
the best of which have been perpetuated under distinctive names by the
nurserymen ; such as " George the 4th," " Morris White," &c. These
kinds, the number of which is rather formidable, will be found described
in standard works upon Horticulture, and in fruit growers' Catalogues.
Although the tree is short-lived, its culture is managed with great spirit
and success in the Middle States, particularly in Maryland, Delaware,
and New Jersey ; and latterly, with the facilities afforded by steamers,
our northern cities are supplied, early in the season, from as far south
as Georgia. The most approved varieties are perpetuated by raising
young stocks from the seeds, and inserting upon them the buds or scions
of the desirable kinds. *

This process, for changing the character of seedling trees, is alluded
to by the great English Bard with his usual felicity :

" You see, we marry

A gentler scion to the wildest stock,

And make conceive a bark of baser kind,

By bud of nobler race : This is an art

Which does mend nature — change it rather ; but

The art itself is nature."— Winter's Tale, Act. 4.

Var. LJS'VIS. Fruit smooth.
Nectarine.

The Nectarine, which was formerly considered as a distinct species,
is now regarded as only a very marked variety of the Peach, from which
it differs only in its smooth fruit, which presents the same varieties of
ding-stone and free-stone. Cases are recorded, in which the same tree has
produced both Peaches and Nectarines.

The Almond (Amygdalus communis, L., which is nearly related to
the Peach— except that the drupe is dry and fibrous, instead of succu-
lent, and the seed is the eatable portion) , has not yet, I believe, been
much cultivated' within the U. States : but it may probably be success-
fully introduced into Florida, and perhaps some other southern States, it
having succeeded even in Pennsylvania.

A dwarf variety, with the flowers all double and sterile, is well known

114 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

as an ornamental shrub in gardens, as the Flowering Almond. There
are two marked varieties of the Almond : the one with sweet bland
seeds, Sweet Almond ; and the Bitter Almond, the kernel of which con-
tains a bitter volatile oil impregnated with prussic acid. This oil, which
is often used for flavoring pastry, &c., exists, or one very nearly like it,
in the peach kernel. Judging from observation, it would not seem to be
generally known to our Pastry Cooks, that a peach pie baked with the
fruit whole (i. e. simply pared, but the nut left in the peac/i), is vastly
superior to one made of the mere fleshy portion cut in pieces. The
process of baking, as I suppose, elicits the e sential oil from the seed of
the peach and diffuses it through the pulp, imparting to it a sprightly
and delicious flavor, far beyond what it possesses when the stone is
previously rejected.

2. ARMENIA' CA, Tournef. APRICOT.

[A name derived from Armenia, its native country.]

Calyx campanulate, with 5 reflexed segments. Drupe roundish-oval,
fleshy, clothed with a soft velvety pubescence ; nut compressed, the sur-
face even and not roughly furrowed ; one margin obtuse, the other acute,
both grooved. Small trees. Leaves subcordate or ovate, convolute in the
bud. Flowers white, subsessile, solitary or few, preceding the leaves.

1. A. VULGA'RIS, Lam. Leaves orbicular-ovate, acuminate, dentate, sub-
cordate at base ; flowers sessile.

COMMON ARMENIACA. Common Apricot. Moor-park Apricot.
Fr. L'Abricotier. Germ. Der Aprikoseubaum. Span. Albaricoque.

Stem 10 - 15 or 20 feet high, with rather stout spreading branches. Leaves 2-3 inches
long ; petioles an inch to an inch and a half long, mostly with cup-like glands near the base
of the leaf. Petals white. Drupe oval, yellowish when mature.

Cultivated. Native of Armenia. Fl. April. Fr. July.

Obs. This tree yields a luscious and favorite fruit ; and, in propitious
seasons, the branches are so loaded as to remind one of the admonitory
passage in SHAKSPEARE :

"Go, bind thou up yon' dangling Apricocks,
Which, like unruly children, make their sire
Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight :
Give some supportaucc to the bending twigs."

King Richard II.

The name of this fruit in SHAKSPEARE'S time was written "Apricocks,"
perhaps by a corruption of the latin A. prcecox, meaning Early Armeniaca,
It is melancholy to reflect how thoughtless and negligent mankind
generally are, with respect to providing fruit for themselves. There are
few persons who do not own or occupy sufficient ground to admit of 3
or 4 choice fruit-trees and a grape-vine ; such, for example, as an Apricot,
a Peach, a May-duke Cherry, a Catharine Pear, and a Catawba grape ;
yet the great majority seem never to think of planting such trees, while

ROSE FAMILY. 115

they are ready enough to run after the rare fruit which some provident
neighbor may have taken the pains to cultivate. It is high time that
such disreputable negligence should cease, and that people should be
more attentive to duties which are enjoined by every consideration of
comfort and good taste — nay, even of sheer justice to those around them,
who are now annually plundered of the fruits of their own care and
labors.

2. A. DASYCAR'PA, Pers. Leaves ovate or oval, somewhat acuminate,
doubly serrate ; flowers pedicellate.

HAlffY-FRUITED ARMENIACA. Black Apricot.

Stem 10-15 feet high; branches rather slender and virgate. Leaves 1^ to near 3 inches
long ; petioles about an inch long. Petals white. Drupe subglobose, hairy, dark purplish
color when mature.

Cultivated. Native country unknown. Fl. April. Fr. July.

06s. This species has more of the habit of a Prunus, or Plum-tree,
than the preceding, and is reputed to be a more certain fruit-bearer ;
but I have not found it so. It flowers freely ; but the young fruit is
soon stung by an insect, and nearly all falls off before it is half grown.

3. PKU'NUS, L. PLUM AND CHERRY.

[Ths Latin name for the Plum.]

Calyx 5-cleft. Petals 5, spreading. Stamens 15-30. Ovary with 2
pendulous ovules. Drupe fleshy ; stone smooth and even. Small trees
or shrubs. Flowers usually white.

[The Plum and Cherry are in most works considered as distinct genera ; we follow Dr.
Gray and other recent authorities in arranging them as sections of the genus Prunus of
Liunseus.]

§ 1. PRUNUS, Tourn. (PLUM.) Drupe usually with a bloom ; the stone
flattened, or at least wider than thick ; leaves convolute in the bud ; flowers
more or less preceding the leaves, from lateral buds ; the pedicels few or
several, in simple umbellate clusters.

* Introduced or cultivated species.

1. P. SPINO'SA, L. Branches thorny ; leaves obovate oblong or ovate-
lanceolate, sharply serrate, at length glabrous ; pedicels glabrous ; fruit
small, globular, black with a bloom, the stone turgid acute on one edge.
Sloe. Black Thorn.

Yar. insititia. Less spiny, the lateral branches often ending in a thorn ;
pedicels and lower side of the leaves pubescent ; fruit round and black.
I3ullace Plum.

Waste places. E. New England, &c.

Yar. DOMES'TICA. Branches unarmed ; leaves lance-ovate or oval, mostly

acute, serrate ; pedicels sub-solitary.

Common Plum. Damascene, Gage, &c.

Fr. Prunier. Germ. Der Pflaumenbaum. Span. Ciruelo.

Stem 8 - 12 or 15 feet high, branching. Leaves 1-3 inches long ; petioles half an inch to an

116 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

inch or more in length. Flowers rather preceding the leaves, solitary or in pairs ; pedicds
about half an inch long. Petals white. Drupe :oval, ovoid or obovoid, of various colors,
from black to pale greenish-yellow, covered with bloom, the flesh rather flrm.
Cultivated. Fl. April, tr. August.

Obs. Numerous forms of this are cultivated, — some of them of a large
size ; but the depredations of insects render the fruit an uncertain crop —
at least in the country. In cities, the insects seem to be less destruc-
tive. The Sloe is used in Europe for hedges, and is said to be natural-
ized in some parts of the United States ; it is now considered as the
original of the numerous varieties of cultivated plum and of the Bullace
Plum.

** Indigenous species.

2. P. America xna, Marsh. Branches subspinose ; leaves oval and
obovate, conspicuously acuminate, sharply and often doubly serrate,
very veiny, smooth when old ; umbels subsessile, 2 - 5-flowered ; fruit
roundish, oval, yellow, orange or red, nearly destitute of bloom ; the tur-
gid stone more or less acute on both margins.

AMERICAN PRUNUS. Bed Plum. Yellow Plum.

Stem. 8-12 or 15 feet high, much branched, — the young branches virgate, the old ones
rugged and somewhat thorny. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles one fourth to half an
inch long. Flowers preceding the leaves in numerous fascicles of threes or fours ; pedicels
one third to hah" an inch long. Petals white. Drupe mostly reddish orange-colored, with
a rich succulent yellow pulp, and a thick tough skin.

Thickets, fence-rows and banks of streams. Canada to Texas. Fl. April. Fr. August.

Obs. This Plum — about which foreign Botanists have been so bewil-
dered— is extensively diffused through our country. In its wild state,
the flowers are apt to be abortive, — and the fruit is small and rather
acerb ; but by long culture, the drupe sometimes becomes as large as a
common Apricot. Although of a pleasant flavor, when fully mature, it
is not adapted to culinary purposes.

3. P. mari'tima, Wang. Seldom thorny ; leaves ovate or oval, finely
serrate, softly pubescent underneath ; pedicels short, pubescent ; fruit
globular, purple or crimson, with a bloom.

Beach Plum. Sand Plum.

Alow straggling shrub 2-5 feet high. Leaves 2 -3 inches long, rather stiff, smooth
above, and downy, especially on the mid-rib and veins, beneath. Floivers in umbels of 2-
6 ; pedicels >£ an inch long ; calyx pubescent. Fruit % an inch to an inch in diameter ;
stone very turgid, acute on one edge, rounded and minutely grooved on the other.

Near the sea : Massachusetts to Virginia. Fl. May. Fr. Aug. - Sept.

06s. This species is found along the sea-coast and often extends inland
for twenty miles or more. When growing at a distance from the sea, its
leaves are smoother and thinner and the fruit smaller, — forms which have
been considered as distinct varieties or even species. The bush grows
in little thickets and is in exposed situations nearly prostrate. The fruit
varies in quality, often, when fully ripe, of an agreeable flavor ; it is
much used for preserving along the New England coast and is sometimes
sold in the markets. *

4. P, Chica'sa, MX. Branches subspinose; leaves narrow, oblong-

ROSE FAMILY.

ir

lanceolate or oblanceolate, acute, finely serrulate with glandular-pointed
teeth ; umbels sessile, 2 - 3-flowered ; fruit globular, red ; the stone
ovoid, almost as thick as wide, rounded at both sutures, one of them
minutely grooved.
CHICASA PRUNUS. Chickasaw Plum. Mountain Cherry.

Stem 6-10 or 12 feet high, much branched, the young branches virgate, dark purple,
smooth and shining, the old ones crooked or geniculate, and somewhat thorny. Leaves
1-2 inches long, smooth ; petioles slender, one fourth to three-fourths of an inch long.
Flowers appearing with the leaves, in sessile fascicles of threes ; pedicels about half an
inch long, slender and smooth. Drupe globose, red or yellowish-red, nearly or quite
destitute of bloom, with a tender pulp and a thin skin.

Cultivated. Fl. April. Fr. July.

Obs. This little tree (which is believed to be a native of our South-
western territory, — where it is a small shrub, in its wild state, — ) by
long culture produces a very pleasant fruit. When we consider the
great difficulty attending the culture of the common plum, on account
of the attacks of the curculio, it would seem that this and the other na-

tive species should receive more attention from our horticulturists than
has yet been bestowed upon them. It approaches the Cherry, in char-
acter and appearance, and may be considered as a connecting link be-
tween the Plum & Cherry.

$2. CERASUS, (CHERRY). Fruit destitute of bloom ; the stone globular and
marginless ; leaves folded (conduplicate) in the bud ; flowers in umbellate
clusters.
5. P. A'VIUM, L. Branches erect or ascending, rather stout ; leaves

FIG. 79. A flower of the common Garden Cherry (Prunus avium). 80. A divided
flower with its solitary pistil free from the calyx. 81. The fruit (drupe) divided to show
the hardened inner portion of the fruit (stone) containing the seed.

1 18 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

oval or ob ovate-oblong, acuminate, coarsely serrate, pilose and some-
what glaucous, beneath ; umbels sessile ; flowers scarcely preceding the
leaves ; pedicels rather long ; drupe roundish ovoid or subcordate at
base.

BIRDS' PRJNUS. English Cherry. Bleeding-heart, £c.
Fr. Le Cerisier. Germ. Der Kirschbaum. Span. Cerezo.

Stem 30-60 feet or more in height, and often 2-3 feet in diameter at base, branching
regularly, and. somewhat vorticillately, so as to form an oblong conical top. Leaves 3- 5
or 6 inches long ; petioles an inch to an inch and a half long. Pedicels slender, an inch to an
inch and a half long, usually 3 (often 2) in a fascicle. Petals white. Drupes of various siza
and color, tender and often very succulent, sweet or bitterish-sweet.

Cultivated. Fl. April Fr. June - July.

Obs. Cherries are said to have been originally brought to Rome from
Cerasus, a city of Pontus, by the Roman Consul and General, LUCULLUS,
some 60 or 70 years before the Christian era ; and from Rome they have
been distributed over the rest of the civilized world. Our cultivated
Cherry trees seem obviously to consist o£at least two original species, —
viz. the sweet " English Cherry," so called, — and the common Sour
Cherry. The numerous varieties — produced by culture (and possibly
some hybrids) — may be all referred to one or the other of those two.
There are, undoubtedly, several very distinct sorts of fruit ; but I incline
to think the general habit and aspect of the trees commonly seen in this
country, warrant the reduction of them all to 'the two above referred
to ; and I shall so consider them in this work.

6. P. CE'RASUS, L. Branches spreading, slender and flexible ; leaves
obovate and ovate-lanceolate, mostly narrowed at base, acuminate or
acute, serrate, smoothish ; umbels subsessile ; flowers rather preceding
the leaves ; pedicels rather short ; drupe globose.
Red or Sour Cherry, Morello Cherry, &c.

Stem 10 - 20 feet high, irregularly branched • branches rather slender and flaccid, spread-
ing nearly horizontally, and forming a roundish bushy top. Leaves l%-3 inches long;
petioles half an inch to an inch long. Pedicels half an inch to an inch in length, 2, or more
frequently 3, in a fascicle. Petals white. Drupes fleshy, more or less acid, red or dark
purple when mature.

Cultivated. Fl. April. Fr. July.

Obs. The " Sour Cherry" is the most common and, for culinary pur-
poses, the most valuable of the genus. The Morello Cherry is a re-
markably fine variety, with a rich purple juice, — and in the days of
" Cherry Bounce," was a great favorite : but, for the last 30 years it
has almost entirely disappeared from Pennsylvania, in consequence of the
ravages of an insect, causing large w^arty excrescences on the branches
of the tree. The fruit first failed, — and since, the tree itself has become
very scarce. P. Pennsylvanica, L., the wild Red Cherry, is a native
tree belonging to this section, its fruit small, sour and worthless.

§ 3. PADUS, (CHERRY.) Fruit as in preceding section ; flowers in racemes
terminating the branches, developed after the flowers.

ROSE FAMILY. 119

7. P. Virginia 'na, L. Leaves oval, oblong or obovate, abruptly
acuminate, sharply and often doubly serrate ; fruit red, turning to dark
crimson.

VIEGINIAN PRUNUS. Choke Cherry.

A tall shrub. Leaves 2-4 inches long, thinnish. Flowers in simple racemes 2-3 inches
in length ; petals roundish. Fruit about the size of a pea, very austere and astringent
until perfectly ripe.

River banks : most common northward. Fl. May. Fr. August.

06s. Doct. Gray found from the examination of the original speci-
mens in the Linnaean Herbarium that this is the true P. Virginiana, a
name which had been previously applied to the following species.

8. P. sero'tina, Ehrhetrt. Leaves oblong, or lance-oblong, acuminate,
smooth, shining above, finely serrate with apprised or incurved callous
teeth ; racemes elongated ; drupes globose, small, purplish-black.
LATE PRUNUS. Wild Cherry. Black Cherry.

Stem 40-60 or 80 feet high, and 2-3 feet in diameter at base, with large irregular
spreading branches. Leaves 2-4 or 5 jnchcs long, subcoriaceous ; petioles half an inch to
three-quarters in length. Racemes simple, rather erect, 2-4 or 5 inches long. Petals
white, obovate. Drupes dark purple or purplish black when mature, succulent, bitter
and mawkish to the taste.

Banks of streams ; fence-rows, &c. : Canada to Florida. Fl. May. Fr. August.

Obs. The Wild Cherry tree attains its greatest perfection on the
fertile banks of the Ohio and other rivers of the West, where it forms a
fine forest tree. On the Atlantic coast it is seldom more than a foot
in diameter. The wood is hard, close-grained, and takes a good polish ;
it is of a pale reddish tint which deepens with age. The bark is bitter,
with something of a peach-kernel flavor, and contains a small propor-
tion of prussic-acid ; it is considerably used in medicine and is consid-
ered a very valuable tonic, and forms, or is said to form, the basis of
several quack " Balsams " and " Pectorals." The ripe fruit is a favorite
food of birds ; it is used to considerable extent in preparing " Cherry
Rum," " Cherry Bounce," &c. It is probable that, like most wild fruits,
the quality of this varies from local causes, some considering it pleasant
when fully ripe, while to others it is nauseous. *

$4. LAUROCERASUS, (LAUREL CHERRY). Leaves evergreen ; flowers from
the axils of the leaves of the former season.

9. P. Carolinia'na, -A.it. Leaves oblong-lanqeolate, acuminate, mu-
cronate, entire or spiny-serrate, thick, smooth ; flowers in dense racemes,
shorter than the leaves ; drupes black, juiceless, persistent.
CAROLINA PRUNUS. Evergreen Cherry.

Tree 30-50 feet high. Leaves shining above, almost veinlcss ; destitute of glands. Petals
small. Stamens about 15.
River banks ; South Carolina to Louisiana and Arkansas. March - April.

06s. This tree is noticed on account of the poisonous qualities of
its leaves, which, according to Elliott, frequently destroy cattle that
browse upon them in the spring of the year. From the leaves of the
nearly related European Cherry Laurel (P. Laurocerasus) is distilled

120 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

the celebrated Laurel Water, a poison which owes its deadly properties
to the large amount of prussic-acid it contains. *

4. SPIR^E'A, L. MEADOW-SWEET.

[Greek, Speirao, to wind ; from its fitness to form garlands.]

Calyx 5-cleft, persistent. Petals 5, obovate. Stamens 10-50. Pods
(follicles) 3-5 or more, each 2- 4- or many-seeded. Shrubs or herbs ;
leaves simple, sometimes lobed or even pinnately dissected.

1. S. opulifo'lia, L. Leaves roundish ovate and 3-lobed, doubly cre-
nate-serrate ; flowers corymbose ; follicles inflated, 2-4-seeded.

OPULUS-LEAVED SPIR.EA. Nine Bark

Shrub 3-10 feet high, with spreading branches, and a loose lamellated bark, the nume-
rous layers suggesting the popular name. Leaves 1-2 inches in length, and nearly as wide
as long, usually 3-lobed ; petioles half an inch to three-quarters in length. Corymbs sub-
umbellate, convex, crowded, hoary pubescent when young ; common peduncles half an
inch to an inch long. Flowers white, often tinged with purple. Carpels 3-5, connate
below, acuminate ; seeds obovoid.

Margins of streams. Jane.

Obs. A very showy ornamental species, which grows readily from
cuttings, and should be generally cultivated. Sometimes called " Niue-
Bark Syringa." /

2. S. tomento'sa, L. Stem and lower surface of the leaves covered
with a rusty-colored wool ; leaves ovate or oblong, serrate ; racemes in
a dense elongated panicle ; carpels 5, woolly.

WOOLLY SPIRAEA. Hardback. Steeple Bush.

Stem 2-3 feet high, brittle, clothed with an easily separable wool. Leaves 1-2 inches
long, on very short petioles ; the upper surface of a bright green color in marked contrast
to the often nearly white under surface. Flowers pale purple.

New England— -Georgia ; more rare southward. July -August.

Obs. This plant possesses considerable astringency, and is in com-
mon use in New England as a domestic remedy in diarrhoea and other
complaints where astringents are required. It is a really beautiful spe-
cies, and as it is much improved by cultivation, it quite as much de-
serves a place in the garden as some of the rarer kinds. Many other
species of this genus are well known and justly admired ornamental
plants ; among them are S. ULMIFOLIA (Meadow-Sweet), S. FILIPEN-
DULA (Drop-wort), which are herbaceous, and several shrubby ones. *

5. GE'UM, L. AVENS. ,

[Greek, geuo, to relish, or taste well ; the roots being rather aromatic.]
Calyx concave, 5-cleft, usually with a bractlet at each cleft. Petals 5.
Stamens numerous. Akenes numerous, in a head ; styles long, persistent,
tailed, and after flowering hooked at the summit. Perennial herbs ;
leaves pseudo-pinnate or lyrate.

1. G, riva'le, L. Radical leaves, interruptedly pinnate, the terminal

HOSE FAMILY.

121

lobe large ; calyx segments erect ; petals purplish-orange, erect ; style
jointed and bent in the middle, upper joint plumose.
EIVER GEUM. "Water Avens. Purple Avens.

Stem about 2 feet high, nearly simple, rather retrorsely pilose. Principal leaflets3-5 •
lateral ones obovate ; terminal one 2-3 inches long and wider than long ; common petioles
6-9 inches in length. Flowers nodding. Calyx brown-purple. Petals inversely heart-
shaped, contracted into a claw, longer than the calyx. Carpels in a stalked head, very
hairy. Styles slender, dark purple.

Bogs anil wet meadows : New England to Pennsylvania. May -June.

FIG. 82. The Water Aveiis (Geum rivale), reduced.

122 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

06s. The root of the Water Avens is tonic and powerfully astrin-
gent, and is used as a popular remedy in diarrhea, dyspepsia, £c. A
decoction is made and taken with sugar and milk in the same manner as
coffee.

6. POTENTIL'LA, L: CINQUEFOIL.

[Latin, potens, powerful ; in reference to supposed medical properties.]

Calyx 5-cleft, with an external bract at each cleft, thus appearing 10-
cleft. , Petals mostly 5. Stamens numerous. Style lateral or terminal,
deciduous. Akenes numerous, often rugose, capitate on a dry persistent
villous receptacle. Seed suspended ; radicle always superior. Herbace-
ous or suffruticose. Leaves pinnately or palmately compound.

1. P. Norve'gica, L. Hirsute ; stem erect, dichotomous above ; leaves
palmately 3-foliolate, the cauline ones on short petioles ; leaflets obovate-
oblong, the uppermost lanceolate, coarsely and incisely serrate ; pedun-
cles axillary, cymose at summit and leafy ; petals shorter than the
calyx ; akenes rugosely ribbed or striate.

NORWEGIAN POTENTILLA.

Root annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, rather stout. Leaflets 1-3 inches long; common
petioles 1-4 inches long ; stipules large (often an inch or more in length) . Flowers often
numerous, in leafy cymes at summit, and on long solitary peduncles below — the lower
peduncles often opposite the leaves. Petals yellow.

Pastures and roadsides : Northern States. Native of Lapland, Norway, and Northern
America. Fl. July -August. Fr. September.

Obs. This is said to be a native in the Northern States, and British
America, — but it has very much the appearance of an introduced plant,
— and has not yet, so far as I know, acquired a common name. It is
only entitled to the notice of the farmer, as being a coarse, homely,
worthless intruder in his pasture fields.

2. P, Canaden'sis, L. Villous ; stems procumbent and ascending ;
leaves palmately 5-foliolate ; leaflets cuneate-obovate, incisely serrate-
dentate near the apex ; peduncles axillary, solitary, elongated ; petals
longer than the calyx ; akenes somewhat rugose.

CANADIAN POTENTILLA. Cinquefoil. Five-finger.

Root perennial. Stem 2 or 3-12 and 18 inches long, slender, somewhat branched, often
several from the same root. Radical leaves on petioles 2-6 or 8 inches long ; stem leaves
nearly sessile : leaflets half an inch to 1-2 inches long. Peduncles about as long as the
leaves. Petals yellow.

Old neglected fields ; borders of woodlands, &c. Canada to Georgia. Fl. April -June.
Fr. June -August.

Obs. The P. simplex, of authors, is no doubt properly regarded as only
a variety of this. Both varieties are rather harmless, though worthless ;
and are merely indicative of a poor soil, or a thriftless farmer. Some
lands, when kept as pasture fields, seem to have an almost incurable
tendency to lose the valuable Grasses, and to become speedily overrun

ROSE FAMILY.

123

with Cinquefoil.
worst of soils.

Lime and manure, however, will work wonders iu the

7. FRAGA'BJA, Tourncf. STRAWBERRY.

[Latin, fragrans, odorous ; in reference to its fragrant fruit.]

Calyx, corolla, and stamens, the same as in Potenlilla. Styles deeply
lateral. Akencs numerous, smooth, scattered on the enlarged succulent
or pulpy receptacle, or embedded in pits on its surface. Perennial sto-
lonitbrous herbs. Leaves 3-foliolate ; leaflets coarsely dentate. Flowers
several, cyrnose on a scape-like peduncle ; sometimes dmcious by abor-
tion.

84

A.M.

L F. ves'ca, L. Peduncles usually longer than the leaves ; calyx of the
fruit reflexed ; fruit conical or hemispherical, — the akenes superficial.
EATABLE FRAGARIA. English Strawberry. Garden Strawberry.
Fr. Le Fraisier. Germ. Die Erdbeerpflanze. Span. Fresera.

Whole plant hairy. Root perennial, and the leaves often green through the winter.
Stem, very short — but several slender prostrate radicating runners, 1-2 feet long, are
thrown out from the crown of the root. Leaves mostly radical ; common petioles 3-8 or 9
inches long ; leaflets ovate or cuneate-obovate, plicate, 1-3 or 4 inches long. Cymes 5-12
or 15-flowered, with 2 or 3 foliaceous bracts at base, on peduncles 4 or 5-10 or 12 inches
in length. Flowers sometimes abortive. Petals white. Receptacle (commonly regarded
as the fruit) red or yellowish white, often long and slender, bearing the akenes super-
licially and rather prominently on the even surface.

Gardens : cultivated ; also indigenous. Fl. April. Fr. May -June.

FIG. 83. The Strawberry flower (Fragaria vesca) with numerous stamens and pistils.
84. The fruit which consists of true fruits (akenes, one from each pistil) scattered over the
surface oi'aii enlarged and pulpy receptacle.

124 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. Varieties of this and of other species (as F. ELATIOR, Ehrh. and F.
CHILENSIS, Ehrh.) , and probably hybrids, have been produced by long
cultivation ; the list of those kinds that have been found valuable either
for size, flavor or productiveness, is a long one, and is yearly increased
by the efforts of cultivators to improve on the already established varie-
ties. For several years past the so-called " strawberry question," has
occupied a large share of attention from fruit-growers and writers on
horticulture, — the question involving the nature of the plant ; whether it
was hermaphrodite or dioecious, whether the pistillate varieties changed
to staminate, &c. These points have been discussed at great length, and
to say the least, with earnestness. The following are the conclusions
arrived at by the Horticultural Society of Cincinnati, and published as
the result of a long series of careful examinations.

" Wild or cultivated, the strawberry presents, in its varieties, four dis-
tinct forms or characters of inflorescence.

1st. Those called pistillate, from the fact that the stamens are abortive,
and rarely to be found without a dissection of the flower. These re-
quire extrinsic impregnation.

2d. Those called staminate, which are perfectly destitute of even the
rudiments of pistils, and are necessarily fruitless.

3d. Those called Hermaphrodite or perfect, having both sets of organs,
stamens and pistils, apparently well developed. These are not generally
good and certain bearers, as we should expect them to be. With few
exceptions they bear poorly, owing to some unobserved defect, probably
in the pistils. One-tenth of their flowers, generally produce perfect and
often very large berries.

4th. A rare class — a sort of subdivision of the preceding — has not only
hermaphrodite flowers, but also some on the same truss that are of a pis-
tillate character ; and sometimes, in the same plant, a truss will be seen
on which all the flowers are pistillate."

Individual plants are frequently to be found, in strawberry beds, in
which the flowers are all abortive, — the stamens having the appearance
of coarse blighted monstrosities — the pistils abortive — and the recepta-
cle failing to enlarge. The Gardeners call these male plants, — and insist
that their presence is absolutely indispensable, to insure a crop of fruit.
But the flowers in question, are palpably neutral, and nothing more than
blights. Although the true fruit of this plant consists of mere dry specks,
or bony particles (i. e. the minute akenes), scattered over the surface of
the enlarged receptacle, — yet the receptacle itself furnishes a pulpy sub-
stitute of the most delicious character. As it is only the receptacle and
not the true fruit for which the strawberry is cultivated, the question
has been raised, whether this enlargement of the receptacle may not take
place, without the ovules being fertilized. Mr. G. W. Huntsman, of
Flushing, L. I., gives in " Pardee's Complete Manual for the Cultivation
of the Strawberry," (a valuable work for the growers of the fruit), an
account of some experiments, which go to show that unless the ovules
are impregnated, the receptacle fails to enlarge. He enclosed some

ROSE FAMILY. 125

plants of a pistillate kind beneath a glass, to protect them from receiv-
ing the pollen from neighboring plants, applying pollen to some blossoms
and leaving the majority without this impregnation ; only those to which
the pollen was applied perfected fruit. SHAKSPEARE has the following
allusion to the habitat, or associates of the plant, to illustrate a moral
sentiment :

" The Strawberry grows underneath the Nettle ;
And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best,
Neighbor'd by fruit of baser quality."

King Henry V. *

2. F. Virginia 'na, Ehrh. Peduncles commonly shorter than the leaves ;
calyx of the fruit spreading ; fruit ovoid, nodding, — the akenes imbed-
ded in the pitted surface of the receptacle.
VIRGINIAN FRAGARIA. Wild Strawberry.

Obs. This native species is usually a smaller plant (perhaps for want
of culture), but has a close general resemblance to the preceding, — and
is frequent in old fields and meadows throughout the U. States. Drs.
TORREY and GRAY remark, that " the deeply pitted fruit affords the only
character for this species that can be wholly relied upon ;" and even that,
I fear, is not unexceptionable. It is a deep purple, when mature, — and
in its wild state, of a more sprightly (sub-acid) flavor than the cultivat-
ed sorts.

8. RU'BUS, L. BRAMBLE.

[Latin, Ruber—or Celtic, Rub— red ; from the color of the fruit, or branches.]

Calyx flattish at base, 5-parted, without bracts at the clefts. Petals 5.
Stamens numerous. Carpels mostly numerous, capitate on a protuberant
spongy receptacle, becoming succulent and drupaceous, cohering and
forming a compound berry, either deciduous or persistent. Perennial and
and mostly suffruticose plants. Stems erect or procumbent, usually bien-
nial and armed with prickles. Leaves pinnately or pedately compound,
sometimes simple.

$ 1. CARPELS forming a hemispherical fruit, concave beneath, and decid-
uous or falling away from the dry receptacle when ripe, (RASPBERRY.)
* Leaves simple.

1. R. odora'tus, L. Stem fruticose, erect, unarmed, hispid with glan-
dular hairs ; leaves palmately 3 - 5-lobed, unequally serrate ; stipules
nearly free, deciduous ; corymbs terminal, spreading, glandular-pilose and
viscid ; flowers large ; sepals with a long acumination.
ODOROUS RUBUS. Rose-flowering Raspberry.

Root creeping. Stem perennial ,3-5 feet high , branching. Leaves 4-8 inches long, and
ncn rly as wide as long, cordate at base ; petioles '2-4 or fi inches long. Flowers corymbose ;
peduncles and sepals clothed with a purplish clammy glandular pubescence. Petals
mostly purplish rose-color. Fruit broad, on a large receptacle, of a palish bright red or
scarlet when mature — often abortive.

Korky woodlands and mountains: Canada to Georgia. Fl. June -July. Fr. July-*
August.

126 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. The fruit of this is pleasantly flavored,— but is rarely perfected
under cultivation ; and indeed is often abortive in its native localities. I
have seen it on the mountains in August, bearing flowers and ripe fruit
at the same time. It is rather a troublesome plant, when introduced into
yards and gardens, — sending up numerous suckers. The nearly allied R.
Nutkanus, Motino, the white flowering Raspberry, which has white
and smaller flowers, is common along the lakes of the North-west, and is
sometimes cultivated.

** Leaves ( p innately or pedately) 3 - 5-foliolate.

2. R. ID^E'US, L. Stem suffruticose, erect, terete, not glaucous, hispid
at base, and somewhat prickly above ; leaves pinnately 3 - 5-folio-
late ; leaflets rhomboid-ovate ; flowers in paniculate corymbs ; petals en-
tire ; carpels slightly rugose, finely pubescent, not pitted in drying.
IDA RUBUS. Antwerp Raspberry. Garden Raspberry.

Fr. Framboisier. Germ. Die Himbeerstaude. Span. Frambueso.

Root creeping. Stem 3-5 feet high, branching, mostly hispid when young, especially
towards the base — smoothish (or sometimes pubescent) and armed with slender recurved
prickles above — the hispid bark, below, exfoliating the second year. Lower leaves odd-
pinnate by fives, the upper ones by threes ; common petioles 1-3 or 4 inches long ; leaflets
2-4-inches long, acuminate, unequally iucised-serrate-, smoothish and green above, clothed
with a dense white cottony tomentum beneath. Petals white. Carpels incurved at apex,
clothed with a very fine, short, dense pubescence, whitish, amber-colored or purple, when
mature.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. This species is much cultivated for its favorite fruit. The plant
presents some varieties — particularly in the size and complexion of the
fruit ; and I am not sure that the following nearly allied native species,
which is found on our mountains, is not sometimes seen, and mistaken for
it in the gardens. It requires some attention to keep the plant from
spreading unduly, in a mellow soil, by means of its rambling roots.

3. R. strigo'sus, MX. Stems slightly glaucous, beset with stiff straight
bristles (some of them becoming beak-hooked prickles) ; leaflets oblong-
ovate ; fruit light red.

STRIGOSE RUBUS. Wild Red Raspberry.

Stem 3-5 feet high, light brown. Lower leaves odd-pinnate by fives, the upper ones
ternate ; leaflets about 3 inches long, hoary beneath, the terminal one often cordate at base.
Corymbs 4-'6-flowered, axillary and terminal, often aggregated and forming a leafy pani-
cle at the top.

Hill sides— especially in cleared land. Fl. May. F>\ July.

Obs. This species is common northward, especially in mountainous
regions. It often appears in great profusion where timber lands have
been burned over. We have seen it on the clearings in Maine, in the
fruiting season, in such abundance as to give an uniform red color to
large tracts, and having a delicious flavor not equalled by the cultivated
species — if that be really distinct. The fruit is largely collected in Maine
for making Raspberry Syrup. If the juice is squeezed from the berries

ROSE FAMILY. 127

and allowed to ferment 12 or 24 Hours, according to the temperature, a
thick coagulum separates from the dark clear portion, which possesses a
much higher flavor than the unfermented juice. If bottled, and the bot-
tle filled so as to allow just room for the cork, the juice will keep in a
cellar for a year or more.

4. R. occidenta'lis, L. Stem suffruticose, rather flaccid and leaning or
arched, terete, smooth and glaucous, armed with recurved prickles ; leaves
pinnately 3- (rarely 5-) foliolate ; leaflets lance-ovate ; flowers in subum-
bellate corymbs ; petals often emarginate ; carpels smoothish, pitted in
drying.

WESTERN RUBUS. Wild or Black Raspberry. Thimble-berry. Black
Caps.

Stem 5 -8 or 10 feet long, sparingly branched, limber and often arching over so that
the summit comes to the ground and takes root, mostly purplish and pruinose or
covered with a flue bluish-white powder. Leaflets mostly in threes, 2-4 or 5 inches long,
often with a long acumination, and subcordate at base, smoothish above, clothed with a
dense glaucous tomentum beneath. Petals white. Fruit dark purple, or nearly black
(rarely whitish alboque simillima Graculo /) when mature.

Canada to Georgia and Missouri : Borders of woodlands, fence-rows, &c. Fl. May. Fr.
July.

Obs. The fruit of this is smaller and less esteemed than that of the
preceding, — but is nevertheless sweet and agreeable. The plant, however,
is generally treated as a weed, on all neat farms.

§ 2. CARPELS forming an ovoid or oblong fruit, persistent on the some-
what juicy receptacle (BLACKBERRY).

5. R. Canaden'sis, L. Stem fructicose, procumbent, armed with nume-
rous short recurved prickles ; leaves mostly 3-foliolate ; leaflets ovate-
acute, thin ; fruit large, sweet.

CANADIAN RUBUS. Dewberry. Running Brier.

Stem 4-8 or 10 feet long, slender, trailing, smoothish — often several from the same
root running in different directions, and giving out numerous leafy pubescent flowering
branches, which are nearly erect, and 2-4 or 6 inches long. Leaflets mostly in threes
(sometimes pedately in fives) , three fourths of an inch to an inch and a half long. Flowers
terminal and subterminal on the short branches, few and rather large, somewhat corym-
bose by the elongation of the lower axillary pedicels. Corolla white. Fruit oblong,
obtuse or often roundish, large (half an inch to near an inch in diameter), black when
mature, very succulent and sweet.

Rocky sterile soils, old fields, &c. Canada to Virginia. Fl. May. Fr. July.

06s. Our Dewberry is a fine fruit, the earliest and the sweetest Black-
berry ; but it is not the "Dewberry" of England — which is the R.
c&sius, L. There has been some confusion respecting our plant, among
the Botanists ; and Prof. DE CANDOLLE seems not to have had a clear
conception of the species. But there is scarcely a farmer's boy who is
not well acquainted with it, from having often encountered its prickly
trailing stems with his naked ankles, while heedlessly traversing the old

128

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

fields where it abounds. On well-managed farms, however, the plant is
becoming somewhat rare.

6. R. villo'sus, Ait. Stem fructicose, erect,
angular, branching, armed with stout curved
prickles ; young branches and peduncles
gland ular-villous ; leaves 3-ibliolate or pe-
dately 5-foliolate ; leaflets ovate or lance-
oblong, villous beneath, the petioles* and
midribs aculeate ; racemes elongated, many-
flowered.

YILLOUS RUBUS. Blackberry. Common
Brier. Bramble.

Fr. La Ronce. Germ. Der Brombeerstrauch.
Span. Zarza.

Root creeping. Stem 3-6 or 8 feet high, stout, ridged or angular and somewhat fur-
rowed. Leaflets 2-3 or 4 inches long, mostly acute. Racemes rather large, sometimes
leafy. Petals white. Fruit ovoid-oblong or cylindric — sometimes near an inch long —
changing from green to red or purplish, and finally black when mature

Old fields, thickets and borders of woods : throughout the United States. Fl. May
Fr. July - Aug.

Obs. Every one knows the common Brier. The root, both of this and
the preceding, being moderately astringent, is a popular remedy for
diarrhoea and mild dysentery. The ripe fruit affords a pleasant jam,
which is also considered salutary in such cases. Even the knots which
are formed on the branches, from the puncture of insects, were formerly
carried by credulous simpletons, as a sort of amulet or charm against the
tooth-ache ! The plant, nevertheless, is often something of a nuisance on
our farms, from its tendency to spread and take possession of neglected
fields. This plant varies considerably in habit and in hairiness, some
forms being nearly prostrate, while others form erect bushes. The size
and shape of the fruit varies exceedingly ; apparently attaining its
greatest perfection near the sea-shore. Latterly, considerable attention
has been given to the cultivation of some of the finer varieties of this
plant. The kind known as the " Lawton" or " New Rochelle Blackberry,"
is a splendid fruit, and is now becoming abundant in the markets of our
cities. It is worthy of the attention of every fruit-grower.

7. R. cuneifo'lius, Pursh. Stem subterete ; branches pubescent ; leaves
cuneate-obovate, sub-plicate, tomentose beneath ; racemes few-flowered.
WEDGE-LEAVED RUBUS. Sand Blackberry.

Stem 3-5 feet high, branched. Leaflets mostly ternate, 1-2 inches long, cuneate, and
obtuse with a short abrupt acumination ; common petioles half an inch to an inch in length.
Flowers sometimes tinged with red. Fruit oval, about half an inch long, black when
mature, succulent and well flavored.

New Jersey and southward.

FIG. 85. Fruit of the Blackberry [Rubus villosus], divided to show that it is mado up of
numerous small drupes, adhering to the receptacle.

ROSE FAMILY.

129

06s. This species, which is common in dry soils in the Southern States,
produces a fruit which is considered superior in flavor to the preceding.

87 w 88

9. RO'SA, Tournef. EOSE.

[The ancient Latin name.]

Calyx urceolate — the tube contracted at the orifice, including the nume-
rous distinct ovaries, at length becoming fleshy or baccate ; the segments
often foliaceous at apex. Petals 5, obovate or obcordate, inserted with
the numerous stamens on the rim of the calyx-tube. Akenes numerous,
crustaceous, hispid, included in and attached to the inner surface of the
calyx-tube. Shrubby and prickly plants. Leaves mostly odd-pinnate ;
stipules adnate to the petiole.

FIG. 86. The flower of a Rose, divided and exhibiting the numerous pistils inserted
within a hollow receptacle. 87. A separate ripened pistil or carpel. 88. A carpel
opened to show the seed.

6*

130 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1, R, seti'gera, MX. Stems climbing, armed with stout nearly straight
prickles ; leaflets 3-5, ovate, acute ; flowers corymbed ; styles cohering
iu a column as long as the stamens.

PRICKLY KOSA. Prairie Hose. Climbing Eose.

Stem long and climbing, often growing from 10-20 feet in one season. Petioles glandu-
lar. Leaflets acute, sharply serrate, smooth or dowuy beneath. Flowers reddish, nearly
inodorous, deep rose color changing to white • calyx glandular. Fruit globular.

Borders of prairies : Ohio, Illinois and southward. July.

Obs. This species is often cultivated, and is well adapted to train
along walls, palisades, &c. It is the only native climbing rose.

2, R. laviga'ta, MX. Glabrous; stems armed with strong, often
geminate curved prickles ; leaves 3- (sometimes 5-) foliolate ; leaflets
coriaceous ; stipules setaceous, deciduous ; flowers solitary, terminal ;
tube of calyx ovoid, muricate with long prickly bristles.

SMOOTH KOSA. Cherokee Kose.

Stem with long flexile branches 15-20 feet in length. Leaves persistent, often prickly
on the midrib below. Flowers very large, white.
South Carolina to Louisiana. April.

Obs. This evergreen species has long been cultivated at the South as
the " Cherokee Rose ;" its origin is not known. It is highly commended
as a hedge plant, by ELLIOTT. " In our rural economy," he says, " this
plant will one day become very important. For the purpose of forming
hedges, there is perhaps no plant which unites so many advantages."
This Eose, however, will not stand our northern winters.

3, R, Caroli'na, L. Stem smooth, armed with stout recurved stipular
prickles ; leaflets mostly 5-7, oblong-oval or elliptic-lanceolate, finely
serrate, somewhat glaucous beneath ; flowers corymbose.

CAROLINA EOSA. Swamp Eose.

Stem 4-6 feet high, with numerous purple branches. Leaflets 1-2 inches long. Flowers
mostly in terminal corymbs of 3-6 or 7 in a cluster. Petals red or purplish. Fruit (i. e.
the fleshy calyx tube) depressed globose, a little glandular-hispid, dark red and shining
when mature.

Low swampy grounds and thickets : Northern and Middle States. Fl. June - July. Fr.
September.

Obs. This is often a troublesome plant in wet meadows and low
grounds, forming unsightly thickets with other weeds, if neglected.
Another native species, R, lu'cida, Ehrh., the Dwarf Wild Eose, is
very common ; it differs from the preceding in its unequal bristly
prickles and 1 — 3-flowered peduncles. The Sweet Briar, R. rubigino'sa,
L., well known for its fragrant glandular foliage, is thoroughly natural-
ized in many places. The cultivated roses, so justly prized among
flowers, are varieties produced by long and careful culture from different
species of this genus. An enumeration even of the most common would
occupy too much space here.

EOSE FAMILY. 131

10. CRAT^E'GUS, L. HAWTHORN.

[Greek, Kratos, strength ; in allusion to he strength or firmness of the wood.]

Calyx-tube urceolate ; limb 5-cleft. Petals 5. Stamens numerous. Styles
1-5. Fruit fleshy or somewhat farinaceous, containing 1-5 bony
1-seeded carpels. Thorny shrubs or small trees. Leaves alternate, simple,
often incised or lobed. Flowers mostly in terminal corymbs.

1. C, Crus-gal'li, L. Leaves obovate-cuneate or lance-oblong, serrate,
coriaceous, smooth and shining, subsessile ; styles 1 - 3 ; fruit somewhat
pyriform.

COCK-SPUR CRATJEGUS. Cockspur Thorn. New Castle Thorn.

Stem 10-15 or 20 feet high, much branched, and armed with sharp tapering thorns 2
to near 3 inches in length. Leaves 1-2% inches long, on short petioles. Corymbs termi-
nal on short rigid spurs. Petals white. Fruit middling sized, reddish brown when mature.

Thickets, fence rows, hedges, &c.: Canada to Florida. Fl. June. Fr. October.

Obs. This shrub — of which there are two or three pretty distinct va*
rieties — is, in my opinion, the best adapted for hedging, of any of the
genus. Properly treated, it makes a durable and effective hedge. But
until timber shall become scarce, very few farmers will take the requisite
pains to insure a complete hedge, and without such care it is worse than
labor lost to make such an attempt. In the language of Mr. MCMAHON'S
excellent " American Gardener's Calendar" referring to the hedging ex-
periments of negligent, slovenly farmers : " I would advise such to hold
fast by the post and rail, and not to lose time in doing more hurt than
good."

2. Ci corda'ta, Alt. Leaves deltoid-ovate and sub-cordate at base,
incised-serrate and somewhat 3-lobed, smooth, on slender and rather long
petioles ; styles 5 ; fruit depressed globose.

CORDATE CRAT.EGUS. "Washington Thorn. Virginia Thorn.

Stem 15-20 feet high, much branched, and armed with slender tapering sharp thorns 1
to near 3 inches in length. Leaves 2-3 inches long, often 3-lobed like a leaf of the Red
Maple Corymbs terminating the young slender short branches. Petals white. Styles
more or less united. Fruit small, bright reddish purple when mature.

Banks of streams : Virginia to Georgia. Fl. June. Fr. October,

Obs. This species is the one which has been chiefly cultivated for
hedging, in Pennsylvania — where it was introduced, from the vicinity of
Washington City, about the commencement of the present century. It
makes a handsome hedge, but not a very substantial one ; and, in my
opinion, is decidedly inferior to the Cockspur Thorn, for that purpose.
I have used it extensively ; but have found it so subject to be broken
into gaps, by thoughtless or reckless trespassers, that my hedges have
been rather a source of vexation than of satisfaction.

3. C. oxyacan'tha, L. Leaves cuneate-obovate, cut-lobed, often trifld j
styles 1 - 3 ; fruit ovoid, small.

SHARP-THORNED CRAT^GUS. Hawthorn. English Thorn.

132 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Stem 6-12 feet high, much branched; branches rugged, armed with tapering thorns
about half an inch in length. Leaves an inch to an inch and a half long, and about as wide
as long, variously lobed, often 3-5 lobed, with the terminal lobe trifld. Stymies of the
young plant foliaceous, obliquely falcate-reniform. Corymbs terminal on the short branches,
many flowered. Style mostly solitary. Fruit about ><£ of an inch in diameter, purple when
mature.

Cultivated and naturalized. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. October.

Obs. This, the Hawthorn so often mentioned by English writers, and
so interwoven in English poetry, is often used for hedges, and is to some
extent naturalized. Like the other species of the genus, it has a marked
tendency to " sport " or form varieties, and over thirty varieties are
mentioned in the English works on horticulture. Some of them flower
very late in the season, others have red flowers, and there are those with
pendulous and with erect branches. It is capable of being trained into
a neat compact tree, and growing thus, especially the red-flowered va-
riety, when filled with its fragrant flowers, is really charming. The
ripe fruit or " haws," are a favorite food of the birds.

11. PY'RUS, L. PEAR AND APPLE.

[The Latin name for the Pear.]

Calyx-tube urceolate ; limb 5-lobed. Styles mostly 5, often united at
base. Pome fleshy,- — containing 2-5 cartilaginous or nearly membrana-
ceous carpels. Seeds 2 in each carpel or cell ; testa chartaceous or car-
tilaginous. Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple or pinnate.
Flowers in terminal spreading cymes or corymbs.
| 1 . Leaves simple.
* Styles 5, distinct ; fruit not sunk in at the attachment of the stalk. (Pyrus.)

1. P. COMMU'NIS, L. Leaves lance-ovate, slightly serrate, the upper
surface smooth ; peduncles corymbose j fruit turbinate.

COMMON PYRUS. Pear. Pear-tree.

Fr. LePoirier. Germ. Der Birnbaum. ' Span. El Peral.

Stem 15-30 feet high, branching ; branches virgate, rather erect, forming an oblong or
conical top. Leaves "2-3 inches long ; petioles 1-2 inches in length. Petals white. Fruit
of various size (1-2 or 3 inches in diameter), fleshy or succulent, umbilicate at apex,
obovoid, tapering to the peduncle, often somcwhat«curved or oblique.

Cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. August -November.

Obs. Many varieties of this luscious fruit have been obtained by
long culture, — in which the French seem particularly to excel.

* * Styles 5, united at base ; fruit sunk in at the base. (Malus.)

2. P. MA'LUS, L. Leaves ovate-oblong, serrate, the upper surface
pubescent ; peduncles subumbellate villous ; fruit depressed, globose, or
oblong.

APPLE PYRUS. Common Apple. Apple-tree.

Fr. Le Pommier. Germ. Der. Apfelbaum. Span. Manzano.

Stem 15-25 or 30 feet high, branching ; branches mostly spreading and often genicu-
late, forming a broad bushy top. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles an inch or more in

HOSE FAMILY.

133

90

length. Petals mostly pale red. Fruit of various size (1-3 or 4 inches in diameter),
fleshy, umbilicate at both ends.

Cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July -November.

Obs. The varieties of this valuable fruit are almost innumerable, —
and every farmer provides more or less of an orchard ; but there is far
too little attention paid to the selection of the best. It is really won-
derful to observe how many worthless trees are permitted to cumber the
ground, which might just as readily, and far better, be occupied by
those which bear the choicest fruit.

3, P, corona'ria, L. Leaves broad-ovate, rounded or sub-cordate at
base, incised-serrate and somewhat angulate-lobed, smoothish ; pedun-
cles corymbose ; fruit depressed-globose.

FIG. 89. The flower of the Apple (Pyrus Malus) , divided and showing the ovaries
cohering with the calyx-tube. 90. A section of an Apple, in which the bulk of the fruit
(pome) is formed of the fleshy enlarged calyx-tube, surrounding and cohering with the
2-seeded papery carpels.

134 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

CROWN PYRUS. Crab Apple. Sweet-scented Crab-tree.

Stem. 10-15 feet high, branching ; branches spreading, rugged with short spurs, form-
ing a rather bushy top. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles half an inch to an inch and a half
in length. Flowers large and fragrant ; petals pale rose red. Fruit rather small (about
an inch in diameter), umbilicatc at both ends, fleshy but firm and hard, smooth, pale
greenish yellow and very fragrant when mature — yet extremely acid.

Borders of woodlands, road-sides, &c. New York to Louisiana. JFZ.^lay. Fr. Sep-
tember.

Obs. This native apple is now becoming scarce in the older settle-
ments of Pennsylvania. In former times the ripe fruit was sought after,
by notable housewives, for the purpose of making preserves.
$ 2. Leav s odd-pinnate ; cymes compound ; styles separate ; fruit berry-
like, small. (Sorbus.)

4. P. America'na, DC. Leaflets 13-15, lanceolate, taper-pointed,
sharply serrate, smooth ; cymes large, flat ; fruit red.
AMERICAN PYRUS. American Mountain Ash.

Small tree, 10-25 feet high, sometimes 4-6 inches in diameter, with a smooth bark.
Leaves 8-12 inches or more in length; leaflets 2-3 inches long, pubescent when young,
smooth with age. Flowers white ; corymbs very compound, 4-10 inches in diameter;
fruit acid.

Mountain woods. New England to Wisconsin. June.

Obs. This elegant tree is often seen in cultivation, and is especially
conspicuous in the autumn, its large bunches of scarlet berries remain-
ing, after the leaves have fallen, even through the winter. It is very
nearly related to the European Mountain Ash, (P.AUCUPARIA), which
is also much cultivated. Both species are valuable as ornamental trees,
whether for the beauty of their foliage or fruit.

12. CYDO'NIA, Tournef. QUINCE.

[The name of a city of Crete, — whence it was obtained.]

Calyx-tube subturbinate ; limb 5-lobed, — the lobes sometimes foliaceous.
Styles 5. Feme fleshy, containing 5 cartilaginous carpels. Seeds sev-
eral in each carpel or cell, covered with mucilaginous pulp. Small trees
or shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple, entire or serrate. Flowers large,
solitary, or subumbellate.

1. C. VULGA'RIS, Pers. Leaves oblong-ovate, obtuse at base, very ei
tire, tomentose beneath ; fruit sub-turbinate, tomentose.

COMMON CYDONIA. Quince. Quince-tree.

Fr. Le Cognassier. Germ. Der Quittenbaum. Span. Membrillero.

Stem 8-12 or 15 feet high, with spreading branches. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles
about half an inch long. Flowers terminal, solitary. Petals reddish white. Stamens in
a single series. Fruit 2 inches or more in diameter, somewhat obovoid, umbilicate at
apex, abruptly tapering or produced at base, yellow when mature.

Cultivated. Native of Southern Europe. Fl. May. Fr. September -October.

Obs. The fruit of this is chiefly used for making preserves, — for
which it is excellent. It is supposed to be the golden apple of the lies-

EVENING PKIMROSE FAMILY. 135

perides, so celebrated in ancient fable ; but if the Orange had then been
known, it would doubtless have been esteemed a more precious fruit by
the " Western Maidens." The 0. Japonica, Pers. (Pyrus Japonica,
Willd.} is well known for its beauty as a flowering shrub, in the gar-
dens ; but the fruit, though remarkably fragrant, is very hard and
acerb, and of little value.

ORDER XXVII. CALYCANTHA'CEJS. (CAROLINA-ALLSPICE

FAMILY.)

Shrubs with opposite entire leaves without stipules. The sepals and petals similar and inde-
finite. Otherwise mostly as in Rosacese.

1. CALYCAN'TIIUS, L.

[Greek, kalyx, a cup, and anthos, a flower ; from the closed cup which contains the pistils.]

Sepals numerous, mostly colored like the petals, united below into a
cup. Petals similar to the sepals, inserted in several rows on the top of
the closed calyx-tube. Stamens numerous, just within the petals ; some
of them sterile. Pistils many, enclosed in the calyx-tube, inserted on
its base and inner face. Fruit like a rose hip, but larger and dry when
ripe, enclosing the large akenes. Shrubs with opposite entire leaves,
and large, lurid purple flowers terminating the leafy branches. Bark
and foliage aromatic ; the crushed flowers exhaling more or less the fra-
grance of strawberries.
Carolina-allspice. Sweet-scented Shrub. Strawberry-bush.

Obs. There are several species of this genus cultivated for the fra-
grance of their rather unsightly flowers ; they are natives of the southern
portion of the United States, but are quite hardy northward. The three
species, or, as they are classed by some, varieties, are distinguished as
follows :

C. flo'ridus, L. Leaves oval or roundish, downy beneath.

C. laeviga'tus, Willd. Leaves oblong, smooth, green on both sides ;
flowers smaller.

C. glau'cus, Willd. Leaves oblong- or lance-ovate, pointed, glaucous
or whitened beneath.

ORDER XXVIII. ONAGRA'CE^E. (EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY.)

Herbs with alternate entire leaves without stipules and axillary powers with the parts in
fours. Tube of the culyx adherent to the 2-4-cellcd ovary and prolonged above it ; its
lobes valvato in the bud. Petals valvate in the bud and with the 8 stamens inserted on
the summit of the calyx-tube. Pollen grains connected by cobwebby threads. Style
single, slender ; stigma 2-4-lobed or capitate. Pod 4-celled, 4-valved ; placentae in its
axis. Seeds without albumen.

An order containing some plants (such as the Fuchias) , which are interesting for their
beauty, but npne of Agricultural value.

136 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. (ENOTHE'RA, L. EVENING PRIMROSE.

[Greek, Oinos, wine, and Thera, a chase ; application obscure.]

Calyx of 4 membranaceous sepals, united below into a long tube ; limb
reflexed, and, with a portion of the tube, deciduous. Petals 4. Sta-
mens 8, erect or declined. Capsule more or less oblong and quadrangu-
lar, 4-valved, many-seeded.

1. (E. BIEN'NIS, L. Stem erect, somewhat branched, pilose and
roughish ; leaves ovate-lanceolate, repand-dentate ; petals inversely
heart-shaped ; capsule obtusely 4-angled, subsessile.

BIENNIAL (ENOTHERA. Evening Primrose. Night Willow-herb.

Root biennial. Stem 2-5 or 6 feet high, rather stout, hairy and usually greenish.
Leaves 2-6 inches long, sessile or subsessile. flowers large, in a terminal leafy spike.
Calyx colored, — the tube much longer than the ovary. Petals yellow. Ovary oblong ;
style rather longer than the corolla ; stigma cruciate, elongated, linear. Capsule ob-
scurely 4-sided, an inch to an inch and a half long, smoothish, splitting into 4 sub-linear
valves.

Fields, fence-rows, &c. throughout the United States, f'l. June -September. Fr.
August - October .

Obs. This coarse plant is entitled to the notice of the farmer, merely
in consequence of being a common, rather conspicuous, and worthless
weed, in pastures, and on the borders of cultivated fields. A variety,
of yet stouter growth, and very large flowers ((E. grandiflora, of some
authors), is often tolerated in gardens. There is another species ((E,
fruticosa, L. of smaller size, with more slender, yet more rigid stems),
which is quite common in old fields ; but is scarcely of sufficient impor-
tance, even as a weed, to claim a place in this work.

ORDER XXIX. GROSSULA'CE^. (CURRANT FAMILY.)

Small shrubs, often spinose or prickly, with alternate palmately lobed and veined leaves
and flowers in racemes or small clusters. Calyx-tube adherent to the ovary, the limb
5-lobed, sometimes colored. Petals 5, small. Stamens 5. Ovary with 2 parietal placenta) ;
styles more or less united. Fruit a berry, crowned with the shrivelled remains of the
flower. Seeds mostly numerous ; embryo minute, in hard albumen.
A small Order, — and of little or no interest beyond the genus here noticed.

1. EI'BES, L. GOOSEBERRY AND CURRANT.

[An ancient Arabic name, — of obscure meaning.]

JH^g* The Generic character the same as that of the Order.
* Stems more or less prickly.

1. R. UVA-CRIS'PA, L. Leaves obtusely 3 -5-lobed, spmewhat villous

beneath and on the petiole ; peduncles mostly 1-flowered, bracteate ;

sepals reflexed ; ovary and style villous ; berry hairy or smooth.

Goose-berry.

Fr. Vrai Groseillier. Germ. Die Stachclbeere. Span. Uva espina.

Stem 2-3 feet high, diffusely branching. Leaves % of an inch to au inch and a half in

CURRANT FAMILY. 137

length, and as wide as long, incisely lobcd and dentate ; petioles generally much shorter
than the leaves, often margined. Peduncles solitary or in pairs, often bracteate near the
middle. Petals pale greenish-yellow. Berries solitary, pendulous, large, oval, of a
greenish amber color when mature.
Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. April. Fr. July.

Obs. This species is much cultivated for its fine fruit ; but (in Penn-
sylvania, at least) it often fails to perfect the fruit, from some cause not
well understood. Judging from specimens which I have seen, it ap-
pears to succeed much better in England, and the fruit attains to a
much larger size in that country.

** Stems not prickly.

2. R. ru'brum, L. Leaves obtusely 3 - 5-lobed, smooth above, pubes-
cent beneath ; racemes pendulous, nearly smooth ; calyx rotate, the seg-
ments rounded.

BED RIBES. Red Currant.

Fr. Groseillier rouge. Germ. Gemeine Johannisbeere. Span. Ribes
roja.

Stems numerous, slender, sparingly branched, 2-4 feet high. Leaves 1-2 or 3 inches
long, and rather wider than long, unequally incised-dentate ; petioles about as long as the
loaves. Racemes produced from lateral buds distinct from the leaves ; bracts ovate. Pe-
tals greenish yellow, minute. Berries globose, red (rarely whitish or pearl-color) when
mature.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe and the northern regions of America. Fl.
April. Fr. June -July.

Obs. This is so easily cultivated, and is so constantly productive,
that it is to be found in almost every garden. The fine acid fruit yields
a favorite jelly for the table ; and even the green berries are much used
by the pastry cook.

3. R. NI'GRUM, L. Leaves 3 - 5-lobed, sprinkled with yellow resinous
dots beneath ; racemes loose, pilose ; calyx tubular-campanulate.
BLACK RIBES. Black Currant.

Fr. Cassis. Germ. Schwarze Johannisbeere. Span. Ribes negra.

Stems numerous, slender, 3-5 feet high. Leaves 2-3 inches long, and nearly as wide
as long, dentate-serrate, pubescent beneath ; petioles shorter than the leaves. Racemes
somewhat pendulous, generally with a distinct single-flowered peduncle at base ; bracts
subulate. Petals pale yellowish green (sometimes changed into stamens or staminodia).
Berries roundish-ovoid, purplish black when mature.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Northern Europe. Fl. April. Fr. June -July.

Obs. This is sometimes found in gardens ; but the fruit being of a
rather insipid or flat sweetish taste, it is not much esteemed. It how-
ever affords a jelly which is a popular and useful remedy for sore throat,
colds, &c. There are numerous other species of this genus ; but, so far
as I know, the foregoing are all that are cultivated (and perhaps all
that are worth cultivating) for the sake of the fruit.

There are two species cultivated as flowering shrubs, one indigenous
along the great rivers of the West, and the other a native of California.

138 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ORDER XXX. CUCUEBITA'CE^E. (GOURD FAMILY.)

Herbaceous mostly succulent vines with tendrils, alternate palmatcly veined or lobed
leaves and monoecious or dioscious (often monopetalous) flmvers. Calyx of 4 - 5 (rarely 6)
sepals, united into a tube, and in the fertile flowers adherent to the ovary. Petals as
many as the sepals, more or less united, and cohering with the calyx. Stamens 8-5 in-
serted into the base of the corolla or calyx, distinct or variously united by their filaments
and long, mostly tortuous, anthers. Ovary 1-3-celled, — the thick fleshy placenta: often
tilling the cells ; stigmas thick, dilated or fringed. Fruit (Pepo) usually lleshy, with a
firm (sometimes a ligneous and occasionally a membranous) rind. Seeds flat, destitute of
albumen ; cotyledons foliaceous.

This Order — so well known for its culinary products — contains some which are pos-
sessed of active medicinal properties (such as the Colocynth, of the shops — Cucumis Colocyn-
this, L.) ; but few, if any, of Agricultural interest, beyond those here mentioned.

* Petals connected at the base only.
1. LAGENA'BIA, Ser. , GOURD.

[Greek, Lagenos, a flagon or bottle ; from the shape of the fruit.]

Calyx campanulate or subturbinate, 5-toothed, — the segments subulate-
lanceolate, shorter than the tube. Petals 5, obovate, inserted within and
beneath the margin of the calyx. Stamens 5, triadelphous, the fifth one
free. Stigmas 3, subsessile, thick, 2-lobed, granular. Fruit at first
fleshy and pubescent, finally with a smooth ligneous rind. Seeds coin-
pressed, obovate, somewhat 2-lobed at apex, the margin tumid.

1. L. VULGA'RIS, Ser. Softly pubescent ; stem climbing ; leaves round-
ish-cordate, acuminate, denticulate, with two glands at base ; fruit cla-
vate-ventricose.

COMMON LAGENARIA. Calabash. Bottle Gourd.
Fr. Calebasse. Germ. Der Kuerbiss. Span. Calabaza.

Whole plant somewhat viscid, and emitting a fetid musky odor. Stem 10-15 or 20 feet
long, slender, branching, climbing by tendrils which are 2-4-cleft. Leaves 4-6 or 8 in-
ches long ; petioles 2 — 6 inches long Flowers axillary, on long peduncles ; corolla white,
with green nerves and veins. Fruit 12-18 inches long, and 4-6 or 8 inches in diameter,
unequally bi-ventricose, finally nearly hollow or partially filled with the loose dry sube-
rose placentae, — the rind yellowish or pale brown, thin and hard. Seeds in a dry mem-
branous arillus.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of the tropical regions. Fl. July -August. Fr.
September - October.

06s. The thin firm woody shell of the fruit affords a very convenient
kitchen utensil, — and the plant is sometimes cultivated for the sake of
that fruit, by cottagers and farmers who cannot afford, or do not choose
to purchase more costly utensils.

There is cultivated occasionally, for the table, a cucurbitaceous fruit
of extraordinary length, called " Vegetable Marrow," — which seems to
belong to this species, and perhaps may be the var. clavata of Seringe.

2. CU'CUMIS, L. CUCUMBER AND MELON.

[Said to be derived from the Celtic, Cucc, a hollow vessel.]

Calyx tubular-campanulate, 5-toothcd, — the teeth subulate, scarcely ag
long as the tube. Petals 5, nearly distinct and but slightly adnate to

GOURD FAMILY.

139

the calyx. Stamens 5, triadelphous. Stigmas 3, subsessile, thick, 2-
lobed. Fruit fleshy, indehiscent. Seeds white, lance-oblong, compressed,
acute at base arid on the margin.

1. 0. ME'LO, L. Stem prostrate ; leaves subcordate, obtuse, somewhat
angled, the angles rounded ; fertile flowers perfect ; fruit oval or subglo-
bose, torulose.

MELON CUCUMIS. Musk-melon. Cantaloupe.

Fr. Melon. Germ. Die Melone. Span. Melon almizcleno.

Hirsute and roughish. Root annual. Stem 5-8 or 10 foot long, sparingly branched ;
tendrils simple. Leaves 3-4 inches long, and rather wider than long ; petioles 2-3 inches
in length, blowers axillary, on short peduncles. Corolla yellow. Fruit 4-6 or 8 inches
in diameter, often longitudinally ridged (torulose), — the flesh, when mature, yellowish,
succulent, and of a saccharine spicy flavor.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of Asia. Fl. June -July. Fr. August.

Obs. The fruit of this— of which there are several varieties — is a great
favorite with many persons, — and it is often cultivated at the North ; but
the best specimens are grown in the warm sandy soil of New Jersey, and
the Southern States.

A.

2. C. SATI'VUS, L. Stem procumbent ; leaves subcordate and angulate-

lobed, the terminal lobe prominent ; fruit oblong, obscurely and obtusely

trigonous, scabrous when young, finally smoothish.

CULTIVATED CUCUMIS. Cucumber.

Fr. Le Concombre. Germ. Die Gurke. Span. Pepino.

Rough and hispid. Root annual. Stem 6-12 or 15 feet long, somewhat branching;
tendrils simple. Leaves 3-5 or 6 inches long, and nearly as wide as long, somewhat
5-angled and lobed ; petioles 2-4 inches in length. Flowers axillary, on short peduncles ;
corolla yellow. Fruit 6-12 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter, rough with bristle-
pointed tubercles when young, smoothish and tawny yellow when mature.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of Tartary and the East. Fl. June -September.
Fr. August -October.

FIG. 91. A staminate flower of the Cucumber (Cucumis sativus). 92. A fertile flt;wcr
of the same. 93. A pistil. 94. The stamens, showing the contorted anthers.

140 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. Known to every one, — and universally cultivated for the young
or green fruit. The young fruit (sometimes called Gherkins) is much
used for Pickles. In the Middle States, the popular time for planting
the seeds is " the first day of May, before sunrise."
3. C. ANGU'RIA, L. Stem prostrate, slender ; leaves palmate-lobed and
sinuate, cordate at base ; fruit sub-globose or oval, echinate.
Prickly Cucumber. Jerusalem Cucumber.

Hirsute. Root annual. Stem 3-6 feet long, branching ; tendrils simple. Leaves 3-4
inches in length, deeply sinuate-lobed ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Flowers greenish yel-
low, on short axillary peduncles. Fruit usually about an inch and a half long, oval, muri-
cate, green.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Jamaica. Fl. July - August. Fr. September.

Ohs. Occasionally cultivated for the young fruit, — which is used for
Pickles.

3. CITRUL'LUS, Neck. WATER-MELON.

[From Citrus, an Orange ; the pulp being mostly Orange red.]

Calyx deeply 5-cleft, — the segments linear-lanceolate. Petals 5, connect-
ed at base, adnate to the bottom of the calyx. Stamens 5, inserted on
the base of the corolla, triadelphous. Style cylindric, trifid ; stigmas
convex, reniform-cordate. Fruit sub-globose, fleshy, the placentae mostly
very succulent. Seeds numerous, colored, obovate-oblong, compressed
truncate at base and obtuse on the margin.

1. C. VULGA'RIS, Schrad. Stem prostrate, rather slender ; leaves some-
what 5-lobed, the lobes obtusely sinuate-pinnatifid, bluish glaucous
beneath ; flowers solitary, pedunculate, with a single bract ; fruit glo-
bose or oval, very smooth, stellate-maculate.
COMMON CITRULLUS. Water-melon.
Fr. Melon d'eau. Germ. Die Wasser Melone. Span. Sandia.

Plant hairy. Root annual.' Stem 8-12 or 15 feet long, angular, somewhat branching ,
tendrils branched. Leaves 3 - 5 or 6 inches long, ovate in their outline ; petioles 2-3 inches
long, generally erect. Flowers axillary, on hairy peduncles an inch or more in length.
Corolla pale greenish yellow. Fruit 10-20 inches long, globose or oval, with a firm fleshy
rind, and, when mature, with a tender sweet watery pulp within, which is usually purple
or reddish orange-colored (sometimes nearly white). Seeds black or purplish browu.

Gardens and fields : cultivated. Native of India and Africa. Fl. June -August, Fr.
August- September.

Obs. This plant — so well known for its delicious fruit — is extensively
cultivated, — but succeeds best in the sandy soils along the Atlantic
coast, or on the alluvial banks of our Western waters. There is a
nearly allied plant, often seen in gardens, which bears a considerably
different fruit — known by the name of " Citron," the firm rind of which
is used in making " Sweet meats " or Preserves. The flesh is very firm,
and the centre does not become red, tender nor watery, like the common
Water-melon : yet the whole aspect of the plant, and external appear-
ance of the fruit, so closely resemble this species, that I suppose it may
be nothing more than a variety : perhaps the var. Pasteca, Ser.

GOUHD FAMILY.

141

4. SI'CYOS, L. ONE-SEEDED STAR-CUCUMBER.

[The ancient Greek name for the Cucumber.]

Petals 5, united below into a bell-
shaped or flattish corolla. Stamens
5, all cohering. Ovary 1-celled ; style
slender; stigmas 3. Fruit ovate,
compressed, dry and membranaceous,
filled by a single seed, beset with
barbed prickles. Climbing annuals,
resembling the common Cucumber
vine : fruit in capitate clusters.

1. S. angula'tus, L. Leaves cor-
date at base, angulate 5-lobed ; fruit
prickly and villous in small, dense,
pedunculate clusters.
ANGULATE SICYOS. One-seeded star-
cucumber.

Viscid pubescent. Stem 15 - 20 feet long, slen-
der, branching ; tendrils somewhat umbellatoly
branched. Leaves 3- 5 or 6 inches long, and
about as wide as long ; petioles 2-3 inches in
length. Flowers greenish-white, clustered
on axillary common peduncles 1-5 inches in
length, the staminate ones corymbose capitate
with the peduncle longer ; the pistillate ones in
dense capitate clusters. Fruit compressed,
ovate in stellately-globose heads, which are
about an inch in diameter, and armed with
slender tawny spines.

River banks. July -Sept.

Obs. This cucumber-like Vine has
found its way into gardens where
it is a nuisance rather difficult to
get rid of. It is, according to Dr.
Short, a great pest in the rich corn-
fields of Kentucky, " springing up
after the crop ' is laid by' and so ex-
tending from one corn-stalk to anotl er as to make it extremely difficult
to pass through the field." The Balsam Apple (MOMORDICA BALSAM-
INA, L.}, the red fruit of which, made into a tincture, was formerly
used as an application to wounds, belongs to this section and is some-
times cultivated in gardens.

*"x" Petals united with each other and with the calyx.

AI-L

TIG. 95. The one-seeded Star-cucumber (Sicyos angulatus).

142 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

5. CUCUll'BITA, L. SQUASH AND PUMPKIN.

[The Latinized Celtic name for a Gourd or hollow vessel.]

Calyx-tube ovoid club-shaped ; limb circumcissed and deciduous. Corolla
bell-shaped. Fruit fleshy or finally hard and somewhat woody. Seeds
white, obovate, convexly compressed, the margin scarcely tumid. Trail-
ing annuals with subcordate leaves, branching tendrils and yellow axillary
subsolitary flowers.

* Fruit always fleshy.

1. C. PP/PO, L. Leaves obtusely cordate, somewhat 5-lobed ; fruit
subglobose oblong or clavate, smooth, always fleshy.

Pumpkin.

Fr. La grosse Citrouille. Potiron.

Rough and hispid. Root annual. Stem 10-20 or 30 feet long, sparingly branched ;
tendrils branched. Leaves 9-15 or 18 inches in length ; petioles 3-6 or 8 inches long.
Flowers yellow, large, axillary, — the staminate ones often solitary on a long peduncle.
Iruit of various forms, sizes and colors, — the flesh of the rind usually yellow, the cavity
loosely filled with a yellow stringy pulp.

Fields and lots : cultivated (usually with Indian Corn, in Pennsylvania). Native of
th3 East. Fl. July. Fr. October.

06s. Extensively cultivated for its fruit, — of which there are many
varieties ; some of them attaining to an enormous size (2 feet or more
in diameter), — but these are not so valuable. The better sorts are
often used at table, — affording the celebrated Pumpkin Pie of New
England ; and the coarser varieties are esteemed for feeding stock.
When growing in the immediate vicinity of Squashes, the fruit of this
species is liable to be converted into a Hybrid, of little or no value. I
have had a crop of Pumpkins totally spoiled, by inadvertently planting
Squashes among them, — the fruit becoming very hard and warty — unfit
for the table, and unsafe to give to cattle.

** Fruit finally becoming subligneous.

2. 0. ME'LOPEPO, L. Leaves subcordate, somewhat 5-angled ; fruit
mostly orbicular and much depressed, with the margin often tumid and
toruiose, at first fleshy, finally subligneous.

Round Squash. Cymling.

Fr. Bonnet de Pretre. Pastisson.

Hirsute. Root annual. Stem 8-12 or 15 feet long, somewhat branching; tendrils
bnmrhod, — sometimes transformed or developed into imperfect leaves. Leaves 6-8
inches long ; petioles as long as the leaves. Flowers yellow, rather large, pedunculate.
Fruit of various colors (mostly yellow, pale green, or mottled), smooth or sometimes
\vurty, — the rind finally hard and woody, containing a loose stringy pulp.

FieMs and gardens : cultivated. Native country uncertain. Fl. July. Fr. October.

Obs. Cultivated for the young fruit, — which is generally esteemed, as
a vegetable sauce. There are numerous varieties of the fruit — and of
various qualities. There is also a kind of stunted variety of the plant,
with a short bushy stem, which is often a prolific bearer.

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY. 143

3. C. VERRUCO'SA, L. Leaves deeply 5-lobed, the middle lobe narrowed
at base ; fruit elliptic-oblong, or clavate and of^en arcuate, verrucose.
WARTY CUCURBITA. Warted Squash. Long-necked Squash.

Hirsute. Root annual. Stem 10-15 feet long, somewhat branching ; tendrils branched.
Leaves 8-10 inches long ; petioles nearly as long as the leaves. Flowers yellow, rather
large. Fruit varying from oblong to obovoid and clavate, often much elongated and
curved, rough with warts or obtuse tubercles, and of various colors, or shades, from yel-
low to green and white, finally hard and subligneous or bony.

Lots and gardens : cultivated. Native country unknown. Fl. July. Fr. October.

Obs. Cultivated as the preceding (to which it is nearly allied), — and
for the same purposes. Both species are apt to produce worthless Hy-
brids among Pumpkins, when growing near them ; and therefore should
never be planted in their immediate vicinity.

ORDER XXXI. SAXIFRAGA'CE^E. (SAXIFRAGE FAMILY.)

Herbs or shrubs, with alternate or opposite, sometimes stipulate leaves, and various, often
cyraose inflorescence. Sepals 4-5, persistent, more or less connected with each other, and
often more or less adherent to the ovary. Petals as many as the sepals, — rarely want-
ing. Stamens as many — or more commonly twice as many as the petals, and inserted
with them into the throat of the calyx. Ovaries mostly 2, cohering at base and dis-
tinct at summit. Fruit capsular. Seeds numerous ; embryo straight, in the axis of fleshy
albumen.

An unimportant Order to the Agriculturist, — though some species of Hydrangea and
Philadelphus are admired, and cultivated as Ornamental Shrubs.

1. SAXI'FEAGA, L. SAXIFRAGE.

[Latin, Saxum, a rock, and frangere, to break ; the plant often growing in clefts of rocks.]

Calyx 5-parted, often adnate to the base of the ovary. Petals 5, entire.
Stamens mostly 10 (rarely 5). Capsule usually 2-beaked, — or rather
consisting of 2 acuminate connate carpels, opening between the diverg-
ing beaks. Radical leaves usually rosulate ; cauline ones mostly alter-
nate.

1. S. PENNSYLVANIA, L. Leaves all radical, oblanceolate or oval, rath-
er acute, obsoletely denticulate, tapering at base to a broad margined
petiole ; scape leafless, striate, pubescent ; cymes in an oblong panicle ;
flowers pedicellate ; petals linear-lanceolate, scarcely twice as long as the
calyx ; ovary nearly free.
PENNSYLVANIA SAXIFRAGE. Tall Saxifrage.

Root perennial, with coarse fibres. Leaves 4-6 or 8 inches long, thin and smoothish,
pomcwhat ciliate. Scape 2- 3 (occasionally 4 - 5) feet high, rather stout, sulcate-striate.
Cymes at first in conglomerate heads — finally rather loose, in an oblong open panicle
12-18 inches in length, — the branches glandular-pubescent and somewhat viscid. Petals
greenish yellow, small. Stamens persistent ; anthers orange-colored with a tinge of pur-
ple. Seeds angular, dark brown.

Swampy meadows and low ground : Canada to Virginia and Ohio. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. There are numerous species of Saxifrage on this continent, (a
white-flowered one, — viz. : S. Virginiensis, MX. is very common on
rocky banks, in the woodlands of the middle States) : but this is the only

144 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

one which, by its size, and frequent occurrence in wet meadows, is likely
to attract the notice of the farmer. It is a mere weed, but not difficult
to get rid of, by draining and proper attention. The Heuchera Ameri-
cana, L., or Alum-root — a plant belonging to this order, is frequent
along fence-rows and borders of rich woodlands, — and its astringent
root has been of some notoriety as an Indian remedy for cancerous sores :
but it is scarcely of sufficient prominence, on the farm, to command the
attention of the Agriculturist.

ORDER XXXII. HAMAMELA'CE^E. (WITCH-HAZEL FAMILY.)

Slirubs or trees with alternate, simple leaves, deciduous stipules and polygamous or mo-
nsecious flowers in heads or spikes. Calyx cohering with the base of the ovary. Pistils
2, united below. Fruit a 2-beaked 2-celled woody pod, opening at the summit with one
or two bony seeds iu each cell ; embryo large in a sparing albumen ; petals sometimes
wanting.

* Flowers with calyx and corolla, and a single ovule suspended from the
summit of each cell.

1. HAMAME'LIS, L. WITCH-HAZEL.

[Greek, Hama, like to, and Melis, an apple tree ; application not obvious.]

Flowers in little axillary clusters, with an involucre of 3 scale-like leaf-
lets ; calyx 4-parted, with 2-3 bractlets at base. Petals 4, long and
linear. Stamens 8, very short ; the 4 alternate with the petals having
anthers, the others imperfect and scale-like. Capsule opening loculicid-
ally from the top ; the outer coat separating from the inner, which en-
closes the large and bony seed in each cell, but soon bursts elastically
into two pieces.

1. H, Virgin'ica, L. Leaves obovate or oval, sinuate-dentate, sub-
cordate at base, stellately pubescent.
VIRGINIAN HAMAMELIS. Witch-hazel.

Stem 6-12 feet high, with straggling flexuose branches. Leaves 2-6 inches long;
petioles about half an inch in length. Flowers greenish-yellow, clustered in threes, on a
common peduncle near half an inch long ; petals narrow, linear, a little crisped, about %,
of an inch in length. Seeds black and shining.

Damp woods. Fl. October, the fruit perfecting in the September following.

Obs. This shrub is worthy of cultivation by the curious, on account of
the singular lateness of its flowers, which appear at the time when most
trees are shedding their leave?. The flowers are often seen as late as
November, when the leaves have all fallen. It is said to grow readily
in a moist situation. The twigs of the Witch-hazel were used in the days
of superstition and witchcraft as divining rods, to indicate the position
of hidden springs of water or deposits of precious ores, — a belief in their
efficacy is not even now wholly extinct. *

* Flowers naked, with barely the rudiments of a calyx, and no corolla,
crowded in catkin-like heads. Ovules several or many in each cell.

PARSLEY FAMILY. 145

2. LIQUID AM 'BAR, L. (SWEET-GUM.)

[Name compounded from Latin, Liquidus, fluid, and Arabic, Ambar, amber ; in allusion
to a fragrant liquid that sometimes exudes from the tree .]

Flowers usually monoecious, in globular heads or catkins; sterile flowers
in conical clusters, naked ; stamens numerous, intermixed with minute
scales. Fertile flowers consisting of many 2-celled, 2-beaked ovaries, sub-
tended by minute scales in place of a calyx, all more or less cohering and
hardening in fruit, forming a spherical head ; the pods opening between
the 2 awl-shaped beaks. Styles 2, stigmatic down the inner side. Ovules
many, but only one or two perfecting. Seeds with a wing-angled seed-
coat. Catkins racemed, nodding in the bud enclosed by a 4-leaved decid-
uous involucre.

1, L, styraci'flua, L. Leaves rounded, deeply 5 - 7-lobed, smooth and
shining, glandular-serrate, the lobes pointed.

Sweet Gum. Bilsted.

A large tree, 60-70 feet high and 2 or more feet in diameter ; the corky layer of the
bark often developed in ridges on the smaller branches. Leaves 3-5 inches in diameter,
so deeply lobsd as to appear star-shaped, fragrant when bruised. Fruit a globose prickly
head, an inch or more in diameter.

Woods. Connecticut, southward. Fl. April. Fr. September.

Obs. One of our finest forest trees, and deserving of more attention
than it has yet received. It is especially conspicuous in autumn, when
its beautiful star-shaped leaves assume a deep crimson color. The wood
is fine-grained but warps readily, and soon decays when exposed to mois-
ture. The balsamic liquid, from which the tree receives both its gene-
ric and specific names, does not seem to be developed at the north. It
has been obtained from trees growing in the warm parts of the Union :
it is an aromatic liquid, having the consistence of honey, and has the
stimulant qualities of the Storax of the shops.

OKDER XXXIII. UMBELLIF'ER^E. (PARSLEY FAMILY.)

Herbs with usually hollow and furrowed stems, alternate, generally much dissected leaves
with pdioles more or less dilated and sheathing at base , and flowers in usually ivoluerate
umbels. Calyx entirely adherent to the ovary, the limb obsolete or merely a toothed bor-
der. Stamens and petals 5, inserted, alternately in the disk that crowns the ovary and
surrounds the base of the 2 styles; petals mostly with an inflexed point. Fruit of 2 seed-
like dry carpels (mericarps) , cohering by their inner face, marked with 5 primary ribs
and often with 5 intermediate (secondary) ones ; the spaces between the ribs often con-
taining receptacles of aromatic oil (oil-tubes). Seeds solitary, suspended ; embryo minute
in the apex of copious horny albumen.

The plants of this family can only be satisfactorily studied with the full-grown fruit.
The number of oil-tubes is best seen by making a slice across the fruit and examining it
with a magnifier.

This large and important Order comprises about 200 genera,— and is remarkable for the
aromatic and generally harmless character of the fruit— while the herbage (including
root, stem and leaves), is often highly deleterious. The species best known on the farm,
and in the kitchen-garden, are here noticed. Some medicinal gums are furnished by this
Order, such as Asafoetida, Galbanum and Ammoniac.

146 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

Inner face of the seeds flat (not hollowed out) , where the two halves
of the fruit join.

Fruit with long prickles. Umbel becoming concave. 1. DAUCUS.

Fruit not prickly but winged on the margin.

Flowers yellow. All alike. 2. PASTIXACA.

Flowers white, the outer corollas larger. 3. HERACLEUM.

Flowers white, all alike ; leaves pinnate or 3-foliolate. 4. ARCIIEMORA.

Fruit neither prickly nor winged on the margin.

Flowers yellow ; leaflets long and narrow. 5. FOEXICUI.UM.

Flowers white.

Umbels usually without involucre or involucels.

Divisions of the leaves very slender. 6. CARUM.

Divisions or leaflets wedge-shaped. 7. AFIUM.

Divisions or leaflets ovate or lanceolate. 8. jEcopomuM.

Umbels with 3-leayed involucels but no involucre. 9. JSruusA.

Umbels with both involucre and iuvolucels.

Leaves decompound, finely divided. 10. PETROSELINUM.

Leaves 2-3 times compound ; leaflets coarse. 11. CICUTA.

Inner face of the seed grooved or hollowed out down the whole length
of the inner face.

Leaves finely cut, with an unpleasant odor. 12. CONIUM.

Inner face of the seed curved in at the top and bottom.

Flowers white. - 13. CORIAXDRUM.

1. DAU'CUS, Tournef. CARROT.

[Daukos, the ancient Greek name of the Carrot.]

Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla irregular. Fruit ovoid oblong, somewhat
dorsally compressed. Carpels with the 5 primary ribs slender and
minutely bristly, the 4 secondary ribs equal, prominently winged, and each
pectinately cleft into a single row of prickles with an oil tube under each
of them. Involucre many-leaved ; leaflets pinnatifid. Involucels many-
leaved ; leaflets trifld or entire. Biennials with leaves bi- or tri-pinnately
dissected.

1. D. Caro'ta, L. Stem hispid ; leaves 2 - 3-pinnatifid ; segments pin-
natifid, the lobes lanceolate and cuspidate ; leaflets of the involucre
nearly as long as the umbel ; prickles about equal to the diameter of the
oblong-oval fruit.

CARROT DAUCUS. Carrot. Wild Carrot.
Fr. Garotte. Germ. Die Moehre. Span. Zanahoria.

Plant greyish -green, hispidly pilose. Root fusiform, yellowish or orange-colored.
£tem 2-3 or 4 feet high, rather slender, terete, sulcate-striate, branching. Leaves twice
or thrice pinnatifid ; segments half an inch to an inch long, much incised. Umbels on long
peduncles or naked brandies, nearly level on the top when in flower — concave when in
fruit. Petals white or ochroleucous — occasionally with a purplish tinge — the central floret
of the umbel often abortive, with fleshy dark purple petals. Fruit, very hispid, the
prickles on the secondary ribs somewhat barbed.

Gardens, fields and road-sides : introduced. Native of Europe and the East. Fl. July-
Sept. Fr. Sept. -October.

Obs. The var. SATIVA, DC., or common Garden Carrot — with a large
fleshy yellow or reddish orange-colored root — is much cultivated as a
culinary vegetable, for soups, &c. In Europe, it is highly -esteemed as
a food for Milch Cows, and other stock, during winter ; but in this
country, the root culture, for such objects, is but little attended to,
probably less than it ought to be. The wild variety is extensively natu-

PARSLEY FAMILY.

147

ralized, and threatens to become a troublesome pest, on our farms.
When it gets on the premises of a careless slovenly farmer, it soon mul-
tiplies so as to become a source of annoyance to the whole neighborhood.
It should be diligently eradicated before it matures its seeds.

2. PASTINA'CA, Tournef. PARSNIP.

[Latin, Pastus, food ; from the use made of the root.]

Calyx-teet/i obsolete. Fruit oval, flatly compressed, with a dilated flat
margin. Carpels ribbed as in Heracleum. Oil-tubes one in each channel
between the ribs, and two on the inner face of the carpel, as long as the
carpels. Involucre and involucels 0, or few-leaved. Stem sulcate, smooth.
Leaves pinnately. dissected ; the leaflets incised-dentate or lobed.
1. P. SATI'VA, L. Leaflets in 3 - 4 pairs with a terminal odd one, ovate-
oblong, rather obtuse, incised-dentate, sessile ; the terminal one 3-lobed
and petiolulate.

CULTIVATED PASTINACA. Parsnip. Garden Parsnip.
Fr. Panais potager. Germ. Die Pastinake. ' Span. Chirivia.

Plant yellowish -green. Root biennial, fusiform, large and fleshy. Stem 3-5 feet high,
rather stout, furrowed and flstular, somewhat branching. Leaflets, 2-4 inches long — the
primary leaves of the young plant orbicular-cordate and incisely crenate. Umbels nearly
level on the top. Petals yellow, small, with the apex incurved or rolled in. Fruit thin
or very flatly compressed on the back. Ribs filiform ; channels greenish-yellow ; oil-tubes
dark purple, generally linear, sometimes a little clavatc.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June -August. Jr. August -October.

Obs. Generally cultivated for its fine esculent root, which, in the best
varieties (such as that called the " Guernsey Parsnip'), is remarkably
rich and marrow-like. The plant produces many seeds, and is apt to

FIG. 96. An umbel of the Carrot [Daucus Carota]. 97. An enlarged fruit. 98. The
same divided, showing an oil-tube under each of the prickly secondary ribs.

148 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

stray from the garden into the fields, where it speedily degenerates, and,
if neglected, becomes a troublesome unsightly weed.

3. HERACLE'UM, L. COW-PARSNIP.

[Dedicated to Hercules.]

Fruit broadly winged-margined ; carpels slenderly 5-ribbed, the lateral
ones close to the margin ; oil-tubes shorter than the carpels. Stout peren-
nials ; leaves large, ternately dissected ; petioles broad and sheathing ;
umbels flat, large, the outer flowers commonly larger and appearing 2-cleft ;
involucre few-leaved, deciduous ; involucels many-leaved.

100

H. lana'tum, MX. Woolly ; stem sulcate ; segments of the leaves
broad, palmate-lobed, subcordate at base.
WOOLLY HEKACLEUM. Cow-parsnip. Masterwort.

Stem 4-8 feet high , branched above. Segments of the haves 4 - 10 or 12 inches in length
and as wide as long, the middle one often 3-lobed ; petioles 1-4 inches long. Umbels some-
times a foot or more in breadth, the rays 2-6 inches long. Involucels of 5-8 leaves,
which are lanceolate, with a long slender point. Flowers white.

Rich low grounds. More common northward. May - July.

Obs. This very conspicuous strong-scented plant is sometimes used in
medicine. The seeds are aromatic. The root is very acrid when fresh,
and produces blisters when applied to the skin. Much of its acridity is
lost by drying, and in this .state it is used as a stimulant. The plant 'has
a doubtful reputation, and should be used with caution.

4. ARCHEM'ORA, DC. COW-BANE.

[Named from Archemorus, — who, it is said, died from eating Parsley.]

Calyx 5-toothed. Fruit elliptic-ovate, convex or lenticularly compressed.
Carpels with 5 equidistant obtuse ribs, the lateral ones dilated into a
flattish thin-edged margin. Oil-tubes one in each channel, and 4-6 on
the inner face. Involucre 0 or few-leaved. Involucels many-leaved. Stem

FIG. 99. Fruit of the Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatnm,) in which the oil-tubes do not
fill the whole length of the channels. 100. The same cut across, both enlarged.

PAKSLEY FAMILY. 149

terete, striate. Leaves pinnately or ternately dissected, the rather rigid

leaflets entire or sparingly toothed near the apex.

1. A. rig'ida, DC. Leaflets 3 - 9, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, very entire

or remotely incised-dentate near the apex ; umbels terminal and subter-

minal, on long peduncles.

RIGID OR STIFF ARCHEMORA. Cow-bane. Wild Parsnip.

Whole plant smooth. Root perennial. Stem 2-4 or 5 feet high, rather slender, sparingly
branched above. Leaves all simply pseudo-pinnate ; common petioles 1-5 or 6 inches long,
channeled and somewhat margined ; leaflets or segments 2-3 or 4 inches long — vary ing from
linear to ovate-lanceolate and cuneate-ob long, often a little falcate. Umbels about 3, on rather
long sulcate-striate peduncles. Involucre 0, or sometimes of 2-3 lance-linear leaflets. Invo-
lucels of 6-8 subulate-linear leaflets. Petals white. Channels filled to convexity by the
dark purple oil-tubes. Inner face of the carpels a little concave, lined with a white corky
coat.

Swampy meadows and low grounds : New York to Louisiana. Fl. August. Fr. Oct.

Obs. .This is reputed to be an active poison, particularly to horned
cattle, when eaten by them ; and therefore every farmer is interested in
knowing the plant, and causing it to be eradicated from his meadows
and pastures. It varies somewhat in its features ; but the above is a
description of its usual form, in Pennsylvania.

5. F(ENIC'ULUM3 Adam. FENNEL.

[Latin, diminutive of Fcenum, hay ; from a resemblance in its odor.]

Fruit elliptic-oblong, subterete. Carpels with 5 obtuse keeled ribs, of
which the lateral ones are marginal, and often a little broader. Channels
with single oil-tubes. Involucre and involucc's 0. Biennial or perennial.
Stems terete, striate. Leaves decompound, pinnately dissected, the seg-
ments linear. Flowers yellow.

1. F. VULGA'RE, Gaertn. Segments of the leaves subulate-linear, elon-
gated ; umbels many-rayed.
COMMON FGENICULUM. Fennel. Garden Fennel.
Fr. Fenouil. Germ. Der Fenchel. Span. Hinojo.

Plant smooth. Root perennial ? (biennial, DC1.). Stem 4-5 or 6 feet high, branching,
striati'-grooved, purplish-green and somewhat glaucous ; leaves large, finely and somewhat
biternately dissected ; segments an inch to an inch and a half long, almost filiform, the sub-
divisions often dichotomous : common petioles much dilated, sheathing, produced into 2 mar-
ginal lobes at summit. Umbels of 15 - 20 or 30 unequal rays.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. The whole plant is highly aromatic. Those who kept Bees, in
former years, were much in the practice, when those insects swarmed, of
rubbing the inside of the bee-hive with this fragrant herb, under the
impression that the odor would attach them to their new domicil. It is
chiefly cultivated for its aromatic fruit, which is occasionally used in
domestic economy ; and is sometimes smoked, like tobacco, as a popular
remedy for cholic. Those who have read the charming pictures of early
New England life, in " Goodrich's Recollections of a Lifetime," will
recollect the mention of the custom of the old ladies to carry to church

150 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

with them sprigs of fennel to keep them awake during the long sermon,
a practice which is not entirely obsolete. In the more primitive portions
of the country, the patch of fennel may still be seen growing, and the
sanctuary is still redolent of its odors. *

6. CA'BUM, Koch. CARAWAY.

[Said to be derived from Caria — the native country of the plant.

Fruit ovate or oblong. Carpels with 5 filiform equal ribs. Channels
with single oil-tubes. Involucre and involucels mostly wanting. Stems
striate, smooth. Leaves pinnately dissected ; segments multifid. Flow-
ers white.

1. 0. CA'RUI, L. Leaves somewhat bipinnatifid, the segments linear ;
involucre 1-leaved or 0 ; involucels 0. •

CARIAN CARUM. Common Caraway.
Fr. Carvi. Germ. Gemeiner Kuemmei. Span. Alcaravea.

Root biennial? (perennial, DC.), fusiform. Stem about 2 feet high, branched. Radical
leaves rather large ; stem leaves multifld, the segments filiform. Petals white. Fruit oblong
or elliptic, often oblique at apex.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. August.

Obs. This is sometimes cultivated for its highly aromatic fruit, — which
is used to impart a flavor to cakes, and other articles of cookery.

7. A'PIUM, L. CELERY.

[From the Celtic, Apon, water ; near which it naturally grows.]

Fruit roundish. Carpels with 5 filiform equal ribs. Channels with sin-
gle oil-tubes, the outer ones often with 2-3. Involucre and involucels 0.
Stems sulcate. Leaves pinuately dissected, with wedge-shaped divisions.

1. A. GRAVE'OLENS, L. var. dulce. Lower leaves on very long petioles ;
segments cuneate, lobed.

STRONG-SCENTED APIUM. CELERY.

Fr. Celeri. Germ. Der Celeri. Span. Apio hortense.

Whole plant glabrous. Root biennial, fusiform. Stem 2-3 feet high, branching.
Radical leaves on stout succulent channeled petioles, 6-12 inches or more in length, and
which are green, or often purplish, when riot artificially blanched ; stem leaves on short
petioles. Umbels terminal and axillary, — the axillary ones often subsessile ; rays u&opial,
spreading. Petals greenish -white. Fruit nearly orbicular.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. This is much cultivated for the sake of the succulent spicy petioles
of the radical leaves,— which are used as a salad : but in order to be
rendered palatable — or even eatable — they require to be blanched or
etiolated by the exclusion of light, — which is usually effected by planting
in trenches and covering them with earth. The var. rapaceum, DC., or
Turnip-rooted Celery, is also cultivated,— though not so commonly.

PARSLEY FAMILY.

151

8. ^EGOPO'DIUM, L. GOAT'S-FOOT.

[Greek, Aix, a goat, undpodion, a little foot.]

Fruit oblong, crowned with the conical bases of the deflexed styles.
Carpels with 5 slender ridges, without oil-tubes. Leaves ternate or bi-
ternate with broad pointed serrated leaflets. Involucres and involved*
none.

1. JE. Podagra' ria, L. Root perennial, creeping
extensively ; stems robust, hollow, furrowed,
glabrous ; leaflets ovate or lanceolate, acuminate
unequally toothed ; the lower leaves on long
petioles ; the upper merely 3-cleft ; umbels many-
rayed ; petals white.
Goafs-foot. Goat-weed. Herb Gerarde.

Stem about a foot and a half high. Fruit very seldom
perfected.

Obs. This, which is considered an exceeding-
ly troublesome weed in England, has made its ^ 102
appearance in some parts of Pennsylvania, and proves to be a nuisance
not easily abated. It has hitherto resisted all attempts to get rid of it ;
Don, in his General System of Gardening, &c., says that " being a great
creeper it cannot be admitted into gardens, for after it gets hold it is next
to impossible to eradicate it again." The leaves are said to be used in
the same manner as Parsley, which accounts for Don's cautioning against
introducing it. Such an invader should be carefully watched and its
spread arrested.

9. ^ETHU'SA, L. FOOL'S PAESLEY.

[Greek, aitho, to burn ; on account of its acrid qualities.]

Calyx teeth obsolete. Fruit ovate globose ; the carpels each with 5
thick, sharply-keeled ridges : intervals' with single oil-tubes. Annual
erect poisonous herbs with 2-3 ternately compound and many cleft

101

haves. Involucre none : involucels 1-3 leaved.
1. M. Cyna'pium, L. Segments of the leaves
wedge-lanceolate ; involucels 3-leaved, long
and narrow.
Fool's Parsley.

Stem 1-2 feet high, hollow not spotted. Leaves with
ultimate lobes linear-lanceolate. Umbels terminal and
opposite the leaves ; rays very unequal, the longest
scarcely an inch in length. Involucels 1-sided. Frutt
nearly as broad as long, with very prominent jibs.

Cultivated grounds and waste places. Native of
Europe. July -September.

Obs. This poisonous plant is naturalized
in New England ; it somewhat resembles the
Poison Hemlock, from which it is distiu-

Flowers white.

105

103

Yin. 101. Fruit of the Goatsfoot [^goportium Podagraria]. 102. A section.

FIG. 103. The fruit of Fool's Parsley. 104. The same, cut across. 105. A petal with

.K1 point bent inwards.

152 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

guished by its unspotted stem, the long pendulous one-sided involucels
and the straight ridges of the fruit.

10. PETKOSELTNUM, Hoffm. PARSLEY.

[Greek, Pdra, rock, and Selinum; Rock Selinum, — from its native habitat.]

Fruit ovate. Carpels with 5 equal ribs. Channels with single oil-tubes
and two on the inner face of the carpels. Involucre few-leaved. Invo-
lucels many-leaved. Stems somewhat angular. Leaves decompound.
1. P. SATI'VUM, Hoffm. Segments of the lower leaves cuneate-ovate,
trifid and incised-dentate, — of the upper ones linear-lanceolate and nearly
entire ; involucels subulate.

CULTIVATED PETROSELINUM. Parsley.

Fr. Persil. Germ. Die Petersilie. Span. Perexil.

Plant smooth. Root biennial. Stem 2-4 feet high, striate with green and yellowish
stripes, branched. Leaves shining green, the lower ones much dissected. Umbels terminal
and axillary, pedunculate. Involucre of a single leaflet (or sometimes 2-3) linear. Invo-
lucels of 5 -6 short subulate leaflets. Petals greenish-white. Fruit ovate.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Eastern Europe. Fl. June. Fr. August.

Obs. Cultivated for the pleasant-flavored leaves which are used in
culinary processes. The root has long been a popular diuretic. The
var. CEISPUM, or Curled Parsley — with the segments of the lower leaves
broader, and curled on the margin — is also frequent in kitchen gardens.

11. CICU'TA, L. WATER-HEMLOCK.

[Latin name of the Hemlock.]

Calyx with 5 minute teeth. Fruit roundish. Carpels with 5 equal flat-
tish ribs, with a single oil-tube in each interval. Involucre few-leaved.
Involucels many-leaved. Sub-aquatic herbs. Stem terete, smooth, fistular.
Leaves tripinnately or triternately dissected.

1, C. macula'ta, L. Stem spotted or streaked ;
leaves bi- or tri-teruately divided, — the segments
lanceolate, mucronately serrate, the nerves ter-
minating in the notches.

SPOTTED CICUTA. Spotted Cow-bane. Water
Hemlock.

Root perennial, with thick oblong fleshy fibres. Stem -1-6
feet high, branching, dark purple, or striate with greeu and
purple or b|pwn ; leaves smooth, the lower ones on rather
long petioles, triirnuit'.'Iy dissected with the terminal
division mostly in fives ; segments or leaflets 2-3 inches long, petiolulate, penninerved—
the nerves (as remarked by Dr. BIGELOW,) running to the notches of the serratures instead
of the points. Umbels spreading ; rays slender. Involucre 0 or 1 - 2 linear leaflets. Invo-
lucels of 5-6 small lance-linear leaflets. Petals white. Fruit nearly round ; ribs rather
broad ; channels reddish-brown or dark purple, filled with aromatic oily matter.

FIG. 106. The fruit of the Water Hemlock [Cicuta maculata]. 107. A section of the
same

PAKSLEY FAMILY. 153

Swampy grounds and margins of rivulets : throughout the United States. Fl. July. Fr.
September.

Obs. The mature fruit of this plant has a strong anisate odor. The
root is an active poison ; and the lives of children, and others, are often
endangered and sometimes destroyed by eating it, in mistake for that
of the Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza langistylis, DC.) — an aromatic plant
of the same natural family. The herbage is also said to be destructive
to cattle, when eaten by them • all which goes to show the propriety
of possessing sufficient Botanical knowledge to be able to identity the
plant — and likewise the necessity of extirpating it from all meadows
and pastures.

12. CONT'UM, L. POISON-HEMLOCK.

[From Koneion, the Greek name of the Hemlock.]

Fruit ovate, compressed or contracted at the sides. Carpels with 5
prominent equal ribs which are undulate-creuulate. when immature, — the
inner face with a deep narrow groove ; oil-tubes none. Involucre few-
leaved. Livolucels dimidiate or one-sided, about 3-leaved.

1. C. macnla'tum, L. Stem terete, spotted ; leaves tripinnately dis-
sected,— segments lanceolate, pinnatifid, the lobes acute and often in-
cised ; leaflets of the involucels lanceolate, shorter than the umbellets.
SPOTTED CONIUM. Common Hemlock.
Fr. Cigue ordinaire. Germ. Der Schierling. Span. Ceguda.

Plant smooth, deep bluish green, and sometimes glaucous. Root biennial, fusiform,
v.-hitish and fleshy. Steml-^ (sometimes 6-8) feet high, flstular, branched, some-
what sulcate, streaked with green and yellow and often spotted with dark purple. Com-
mon petioles dilated, nerved with scarious margins. Petals white. Fruit somewhat gib-
bous. Carpels with the ribs wavy, especially while young — the faces inclining to separate
between the base and apex when mature.

Waste places : introduced. -Native of Europe. Fl. June -July. Fr. September.

Obs. This foreigner is partially naturalized in many places, — and
being a powerful narcotic poison, it ought to be known by every person
on whose premises it may occur. The plant when bruised emits a dis-
agreeable odor. It is supposed to be the herb with which the ancient
Greeks put their philosophers and statesmen to death when they got
tired of them. An extract prepared from the plant was formerly used
for the treatment of scrofula and malignant tumors, but it is now be-
lieved that the only benefit, if any, derived from it, was that of a palli-
ative anodyne.

13. COEIAN'DKUM, Hoffm. CORIANDER.

[Greek, K&ris, a bug ; the bruised leaves having the odor of a bed-bug.]

Fruit globose. Carpels cohering, scarcely separating,— each with 5 un-
dulate depressed primary ribs, of which the lateral ones are placed in
front of an accessory margin ; the 4 secondary ribs more prominent and

154

WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

FIG. 108. A branch of the Poison Hemlock [Conium maculatum]. 109. An umbellet
in fruit. 110. An enlarged fruit. 111. A section of the fruit, without oil-tubes, the seed
curved in at the margins.

5*

GINSENG FAMILY. 155

keeled. Channels without oil-tubes. Seed curved in at top and bottom
Involucre 1-leaved or 0. Involucels dimidiate, about 3-leaved. Flowers
white, or tinged red before expanding.

1. C. SATI'VUM, L. Leaves bipinnately dissected,— segments of the lower

ones broad-cuneate, incised-dentate, — of the upper ones narrow and

linear; carpels hemispherical.

CULTIVATED Com AND RUM. Coriander.

Fr. Coriaudre. Germ. Der. Koriander. Span. Cilantro.

Plant smooth. Root annual (sometimes biennial, DC.). Stem 1-2 feet high, slender,
striate, somewhat branched at summit. Umbels 3-5-rayed. Umbellets of numerous short
unequal rays. Carpels very concave on the face, cohering by their margins so as to form
apparently a simple globose fruit with 2 oil-tubes in a loose membrane, which covers the
inner face of the seed.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Tartary and the East. Fl. June-July. Fr. August-
September.

Obs. Occasionally cultivated for its aromatic fruit. The odor of the
fresh herb is very offensive, notwithstanding which the Tartars are said
to prepare a favorite soup from it.

ORDER XXXIV. ARALIA'CE^E. (GINSENG FAMILY.)

Perennial Tierbs, shrubs or trees, with alternate, mostly compound leaves, destitute of
stipules, and mostly umbellate flowers — the umbels often paniculate. Calyx adherent to the
ovary, — the limb usually very small, toothed or entire. Petals 5, valvate in aestivation.
Stamens us many as the petals and alternate with them. Ovary 3 -several united carpels,
with a solitary suspended ovule in each cell ; styles as many as the cells — sometimes
united. Fruit baccate or drupaceous, — sometimes nearly dry, but the carpels not sepa-
rating.

A small Order, with much the same characters as Umbelliferse, but with usually more
than 2 styles, and the fruit a 3 -several-celled drupe.

1. ARA'LIA, L. WILD SARSAPARILLA. GINSENG.

[Name of unknown derivation ; supposed to be of Canadian origin.]

Flowers more or less polygamous. Calyx 5-toothed, teeth very short or
almost obsolete. Petals 5, spreading. Stamens 5, on short filaments.
Styles 2-5, mostly distinct and slender, or in the sterile flowers short
and united. Berry 2 - 5-celled with a single suspended seed in each cell,
somewhat 5-lobed. Herbs or shrubs,-^- sometimes prickly. Leaves mostly
decompound. Flowers white or greenish, in umbels.
§ 1. ARALIA. Flowers monaciously polygamous or perfect, the umbels
usually in corymbs or panicles ; styles or cells of the (black or dark purple)
fruit 5 ; stems herbaceous or woody ; ultimate divisions of the leaves pinnate.

1, A, racemo'sa, L. Stem herbaceous, smooth, divaricately branched ;
leaves ternately and quinately decompound ; leaflets cordate-ovate, acu-
minate, doubly serrate ; racemes axillary, compound, paniculately urn-
bellulate ; iuvolucels small.

RACEMOSE ARALIA. Spikenard.

Root thick, aromatic. Stem 3 -5 feet high, with spreading and somewhat dichotomous
branches. Leaflets S -6 or 8 inches long, slightly hairy, mostly petiolulate. Flowers in.

156 WEEDS AJSTD USEFUL PLANTS.

large umbellulate panicles ; peduncles pubescent. Involucels of several short subulate
leaflets. Calyx with 5 small acute teeth. Petals greenish white. Styles united below ;
stigmas diverging or recurved. Berries small, not torose, dark purple when mature.

Rich woodlands : Canada to Georgia ; and in gardens, cultivated. Fl. July. Fr. Sep-
tember.

Obs. This plant is native in our rich woodlands ; but has been long
introduced into gardens, as a popular medicine. The root, and berries,
infused in alcohol, made a favorite tincture, in times past, for those
who indulged in the perilous habit of taking such stomachics.

2, A, spino'sa, L. Shrub or low tree ; stem and petioles prickly ;
leaves bipinnately compound ; umbels in a very large much-branched
panicle.

PRICKLY ARALIA. Angelica Tree. Hercules' Club.

Stem unbranched, prickly below, 10-20 and even 60 feet high. Leaves crowded at the
summit of the stem, 2-4 feet long ; leaflets ovate, acuminate, serrate, somewhat glaucous
below. Flowers white.

Pennsylvania, South and West. June -August.

Obs. This striking species is sometimes seen in cultivation ; at the
North it is a low tree, but in the Southern States it sometimes attains
the height of 40 or even 60 feet, its uubranched stems bearing the
crowded leaves at their summits, having a palm-like appearance. The
bark, root, and berries, have been used in medicine ; they are aromatic
and stimulant like those of the preceding species.

3, A. nildicau'lis, L. Stem very short, scarcely rising above ground ;
bearing a single long-stalked leaf, and a shorter naked scape, with 2-7
umbels.

NAKED-STEM ARALIA. Sarsaparilla. False Sarsaparilla.

Root creeping, thickish and long, somewhat aromatic but mawkish. Stem scarcely
more than the crown of the root. Leaf on an erect petiole 6-12 inches long, 3-parted at
summit ; each division 2-5 inches in length, and bearing 5 odd-pinnate subsessile leaflets.
Scape 4-8 inches high, divided at summit into 2-7 smoothish peduncles, about 2 inches
long, each bearing a naked, many-flowered, globose umbel, an inch or an inch and a half
in diameter. Berries torulose, purplish black when mature.

Obs. The root of this is sometimes used as a substitute for the Sarsa-
parilla of the shops, (a species of Smilax.) I believe both the original
and the substitute to be rather innocent medicines, — provided the dis-
ease be not serious !

g 2. GINSENG. Flowers diceciomly polygamous ; styles and cells of the
(red or reddish) fruit 2 - 3 ; stem herbaceous, low, simple, bearing at its
summit a whorl of 3 palmatehj 3-7 foliolate leaves (or perhaps rather a
single sessile twice-compound leaf,) and a single umbel on a slender naked
peduncle.

4, A, quinquefo'lia, Gray. Root fusiform, often branched ; leaflets
mostly in fives, obovate, acuminate, unequally serrate, petiolulate ; pe-
duncle of the umbel rather shorter than the common petioles ; styles 2 ;
fruit succulent, 2-celled, 2-seeded.

FIVE-LEAVED PANAX. Ginseng.

COKNEL FAMILY. 157

Root perennial, 3-6 inches long, and about half an inch in diameter, often forked
downwards, whitish, transversely rugose. SLem 9-18 inches high, herbaceous, angular,
smooth, with a verticil of 3 (rarely 4) petiolate compound leaves at summit, and a simple
erect pedunculate umbel in the centre. Common petiole 3-4 inches long. Leaflets un-
equal,— the 3 principal ones 3-5 inches long, the lateral ones much smaller. Umbel
many -flowered, — the central flowers often abortive. Petals yellowish green. Ovary
compressed, cordate-ovate, or gibbous at base on each side. Fruit a fleshy drupaceous
reniform berry, crowned with the persistent calyx-teeth and styles, smooth, bright
crimson when mature.

Rich woodlands : Northern and Western States. Fl. July. Ft: September.

Obs. The root of this plant is slightly stimulant, and rather pleasantly
aromatic. It has long been, and continues to be, an article of some im-
portance in our commerce with China ; and although it has but little to
do with Agriculture, it is presumed that a brief description of a native
plant, so abundantly produced in our western forests— and so highly
prized in the " Celestial Empire " — will not be unacceptable.

2. HE'DERA, L. IVY.

[Xame supposed to be from*the Celtic word for cord.]

Calyx of 5 teeth. Petals 5, broadest at base. Stamens 5-10. Style
simple, or 5-10, more or less combined. Berry with 3-10 seeds,
crowned by the calyx. Evergreen shrub adhering to objects by means
of numerous rootlets.

1. H. HE'LIX, L. Leaves thick, angular-heart-simped, 3-5-lobed,
those of the flowering shoots ovate and pointed ; umbels erect.
English Ivy. Irish Ivy.

Stem long and tortuous, climbing walls, &c., to a great height, and adhering firmly.
Leaves dark shining green, veined with white. Flowers in spherical heads or umbels,
yellowish green. Berries obscurely 4-angled, about the size of peas, black.

Native of Europe. Cultivated.

Obs. This beautiful vine thrives well, when planted in a northern ex-
posure, even at the south. The so-called Irish Ivy is a broader leaved
form.

ORDER XXXV. CORNA'CE^E. (CORNEL FAMILY.)

Chiefly small trees or shrubs, with mostly opposite entire leaves destitute of stipules, and
flowers in cymes, sometimes clustered into heads and surrounded by a large petaloid in-
volucre. Calyx adherent to the 2-celled ovary, — the limb 4-toothed. Petals 4, valvate in
aestivation. Stamens us many as the petals, and alternate with them. Styles united into 1.
Fruit a 2-celled drupe, crowned with the persistent calyx-teeth. Seeds solitary, pendu-
lous : embryo nearly the length of the fleshy albumen.

1. COR'NUS, Tournef. DOGWOOD.

[Latin, Cornu, a horn ; from the horny toughness of the wood.]

Calyx 4-toothed, — the teeth minute. Petals oblong, spreading. Sta-
mens longer than the corolla. Style sub-clavate ; stigma obtuse or cap-
itate. Drupe oval or subglobose, with a 2 - 3-celled nut.
* Flowers capitate, with a Cleaved involucre.

158

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

112

113

1. C. flo'rida, L. Arborescent ; leaves ovate-oblong, acuminate ; in-
volucre large, — the petaloid leaves obcordate or with a callous notch at
apex ; drupes oval.
FLOWERING CORNUS. Dogwood. Common Dogwood.

-20 (sometimes 30-40) feet high, and 3-4 to 6-8 inches in diameter, much
branched, — the young branches opposite or often verticillate in fours. Leaves 3-5 inches
long, pilose with short appressed hairs, glaucous beneath. Flowers in terminal capitate
clusters ; involucre about 3 inches in diameter, — the leaves in opposite pairs, white or
sometimes tinged with purple. Corolla greenish yellow. Drupe bright red when
mature.
Woodlands : Canada to Louisiana. Fl. May. Ft: October.

Obs. The wood of this small tree is very close-grained and firm, and
is valuable for many purposes in mechanics. Cabinet-makers some-
times employ it in the manufacture of small articles of furniture, — in
which my friend Dr. Elwyn assures me it is very beautiful. The wood-
man selects it as the best material for wooden wedges. The young,
straight stems make good hoops for the cooper ; and the slender verti-

FIG. 112. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), the head of minute flowers, surrounded
by a conspicuous involucre. 113. A separate fiower, enlarged.

COEXEL FAMILY. 159

cillate branches once furnished distaffs for spinsters, — in the " good old
times " when that description of females had a practical existence in the
community. The bark is an excellent tonic, — almost rivalling the Pe-
ruvian in efficacy. A century since, according to KALM, there was so
much faith in the virtues of the Dogwood, that " when the cattle fall
down in the spring, for want of strength, the people tie a branch of this
tree on their neck, thinking it will help them ! " Altogether, and with-
out any joke — it is a valuable as well as ornamental little tree, — worthy
of a place in lawns and }rards. Observing farmers have remarked that
the proper time to plant Indian corn is when the involucres of the Dog-
wood are first developed. There are several other species, with flowers
in large flat cymes, common in thickets. They all possess more or less
beauty, and will be found described in the systematic works.

2. NYS'SA, L. TUPELO.

[The name of a Water Nymph ; applied to this genus.]

Flowers dioeciously polygamous, clustered. STAMINATE FLOWER with a
small 5-parted calyx and 5-12, oftener 10 stamens inserted around a
disk in the bottom of the calyx. PISTILLATE FLOWER with a calyx
having a short repand truncate or minutely 5-toothed limb. Petals
very small and fleshy, deciduous or often wanting. Stamens 5-10,
with perfect or imperfect anthers. Style elongated, revolute, stigmatic
down one side. Ovary 1-celled. Drupe ovoid or oblong, with a bony
and grooved or striate 1-celled and 1-seeded stone. Trees with small
greenish flowers, the staminate ones in a simple or compound dense
cluster of fascicles, the pistillate ones much larger, and either solitary
or in clusters of 2 - 8 ; appearing with the leaves.
1. N. MULTIFLO'RA, Wang. Leaves oval and obovate, acute at eacli
end, often acuminate, entire ; fertile peduncles, mostly 3-flowered.
MANY-FLOWERED NYSSA. Sour Gum. Black Gum. Peppsridge. Tupelo.

Stem 30-60 or 70 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter ; branches numerous, horizon-
tally spreading and often a little drooping. Leaves 2-4 inches long, dark green and shin-
ing above, paler and pubescent beneath ; petioles half an inch to an inch long, often mar-
gined, conspicuously villous-ciliate. Staminate flowers pedicellate, 2-5 or 6 in a loose
cluster, on a slender common peduncle about an inch long. Fertile flower* sessile, mostly
3 in a dense involucrate cluster (sometimes 2, or only 1), on a clavate common peduncle,
which at first is about half an inch — finally an inch to an inch and a half — in length.
Drupe elliptic, near half an inch long, bluish-black when mature.

Moist woodlands and low grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. May -June. Fr.
September.

Obs. The woody fibres of this tree are remarkably interlocked, so as
to render it very difficult to split ; on which account it is much used for
making naves, or hubs, for carriage wheels, — and also hatters' blocks.
The younger trees, when growing solitary, have much symmetry — af-
fording a fine shade ; and in autumn the leaves add greatly to the pic-
turesque appearance of the country, by changing to a bright crimson
color.

160 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

DIVISION II.

MONOPET'ALOUS EX'OGENS.

FLORAL ENVELOPES, consisting of both calyx and corolla, — the petals
more or less united.

ORDER XXXVI. CAPRIFOLIA'CEJE. (HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY.)

Mostly shrubs, often twining, rarely herbs, with opposite leaves without stipules. Calyx ad-
herent to the ovary. Corolla tubular or rotate, regular or irregular. Stamens as many as
the lobes of the corolla, and alternate with them — or rarely 1 fewer — inserted into the
tube. Ovary 2 - 5-celled ; style long and filiform with a capitate stigma — or 3 - 5 sessile
stigmas. Fruit baccate, or sometimes dry, often 1-celled by abortion. Embryo in the
axis of fleshy albumen.

fc 1. Corolla tubular, often irregularly lobed, sometimes 2-lipped.
Style long and slender ; stigma capitate.

Corolla tubular, mostly irregularly 5-lobed. Stamens as many
as the lobes of the corolla. Berry several-seeded. 1. LONICERA.

Corolla bell-shaped, regular. Berry 2-seeded. 2. SYMPHORICARI-US.

Corolla tubular, gibbous at base. Fruit with 3-5 bony seeds. 3. TRIOSTEUM.
§ 2. Corolla wheel-shaped, regularly and deeply 5-lobed. Stigmas
mostly 3, sessile. Inflorescence cyrnose or thyrsoid.

Leaves pinnate. Berry 3-seeded. 4. SAMBCCUS.

Leaves simple. Fruit a drupe with 1 flat stone. 5. VIBURNUM.

1. LONICE'KA, L. HONEYSUCKLE.

[Dedicated to the memory of Adam Lonicer, an old German Botanist.]

Calyx-teeth very short. Corolla tubular or funnel-form, often gibbous at
base, irregularly or nearly regularly 5-lobed. Ovary 2 - 3-celled. Berry
several-seeded. Twining or upright shrubs; upper J eaves often connate';
jlowers axillary.

1, L, gra'ta, Ait. Leaves sub-perennial, obovate, 2-3 upper pairs
connate, the lower ones sub-petiolate ; corolla not gibbous at base, tube
long.

AGREEABLE LONICERA. Wild Honeysuckle. American Woodbine.

Stem 10-20 feet long, branching, the young branches often pilose. Leaves 1-3 inches
long, rather obtuse and often slightly emarginate, glaucous and reticulately veined be-
neath. Flowers in verticils of about 6, in the axils of the upper connate leaves ; corolla
externally red or purplish, the limb at first nearly white, soon becoming tawny yellow, —
the tube an inch or more in length, tapering to the base, smooth within. Stamens exserted,
about equalling the style. Berries orange red at maturity, crowned with the persistent
calyx teeth.

New York, Pennsylvania, and westward. Often cultivated. May.

Obs. This and other species of Honeysuckle are favorite plants for
decorating arbors and porticoes. Most of them are delightfully fragrant
when in flower, and are much frequented by the exquisitely beautiful
little humming-bird.

Among those most commonly cultivated are the Italian Honeysuckle,
(L. CAPRIFO'LIUM,) with glaucous leaves, fragrant blush-colored flowers
and yellow berries ; the Woodbine (L. PERICLY'MENUM) with the leaves

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY. 161

all separate ; the Trumpet Honeysuckle, (L. SEMPER'VIRENS,) a native
scentless species with a long tubular, red or yellow corolla with the
margin divided into 5 short, nearly equal lobes.

2. SYMPHORICAR'PUS, Dill. SNOWBERRY.

[Greek, SympJioreo, to bear together, and Karpos, fruit ; the borrk'S growing in dense

clusters.]

Calyx-teeth short, persistent on the fruit. Carolla bell-shaped regularly
5-lobcd with as many stamens inserted into its throat. Ovary 4-celled.
Berry 2-s3eded. Low shrubs with short petioled leaves. Flowers in
short close clusters. The upper flowers often developing after the lower
ones of the cluster have matured their fruit.

1. S, racemo'sus, MX. Spikes terminal, loose, interrupted, often
somewhat leafy ; corolla bearded within ; berries white.
Snow-Berry.

Shrub 2-4 feet high, with numerous slender branches clothed with loose bark. Leaves
1-2 inches long, more or less broadly ovate, often undulate on the margin, those of the
young shoots sometimes obtusely toothed ; under surface softly pubescent, upper smooth-
ish. Flowers about )£ of an inch long, rose color. Berries brilliant white.

Rocky banks : North and West. June -September.

Obs. This is often seen in cultivation, its bright white berries, which
remain on the bush until winter, making it a conspicuous object among
the shrubbery.

3. TRIOS'TEUM, L. FEVER-WORT.

[Greek, Treis, three, and Osteon, a bone ; from its three bony seeds or nuts.

Calyx-tube ovoid ; segments lance-linear, foliaceous, persistent. Corolla
gibbous at base, nearly equally 5-lobed. Berry drupaceous, rather dry,
3-celled, with 3 bony 1-seeded nuts. Perennial hairy herbs ; leaves sub-
connate, tapering at base ; flowers axillary, sessile, bracteate.

1. T. perfolia'tum, L. Softly hairy ; leaves spatulate-ovate, ab-
ruptly narrowed at oase ; axils 1 - 3-flowered ; flowers dark, brownish-
purple.
PERFOLIATE TRIOSTEUM. Fever-wort. Horse Gentian, &c.

Stem 2-4 feet high, simple, somewhat viscid while young. Leaves 4-6 inches long, and
2-4 inches wide, often narrowed almost Co a petiole at base, but always connate, the
margin ciliate pubescent. Corolla about half an inch long, viscid-pubescent. Berry oval,
orange color when mature.

Rocky woods. June.

Obs. The root of this plant was formerly somewhat noted as an Indian
medicine ; but is now neglected. JOHN BARTRAM (in the Appendix to
SHORT'S Mcdicina Britannica] says it is " called in our Northern Colo-
nies Dr. Tinker's Weed ; in Pennsylvania, Gentian ; and to the south-
ward, Fever Root."

162 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

4. SAMBU'CUS, Tournef. ELDER.

[Greek, Sambuke, a musical instrument ; said to have been made of this shrub.]

Calyx with the segments minute. Corolla urn-shaped, with a broadly
spreading 5-cleft limb. Fruit sub-globose, baccate ; nucules 3, (rarely 5,)
crustaceous, rugulose, each containing a suspended seed. Shrubs or
perennial herbs. Leaves odd-pinnately dissected. Inflorescence cymose
or thyrsoid.

1, S. Canaden'sis, L. Stem suffruticosc ; leaflets oblong-oval, acumi-
nate, serrate ; flowers in 5-parted spreading cymes.
CANADIAN SAMBUCUS. Elderbush. Common Elder.

Stem 5-8 or 10 feet high, finally shrubby, filled with a large pith, branching, nodose —
the young branches tumid at the nodes. Leaflets usually in 3 pairs with a terminal odd
one, 2-4 inches long, petiolulate. Cymes broad, terminating young branches, on pedun-
cles 4-6 inches long. Corolla white. Berries numerous, small, juicy, dark purple or
nearly black when mature.

Thickets and fence rows : throughout the United States. Fl. June. Fr. August.

Obs. This is a rather troublesome plant, on our farms, — the long roots
being very tenacious of life, and inclined to spread extensively along
fence-rows and hedges. If neglected, it soon gives the farm a very
slovenly appearance.

This species is considered by some botanists as a mere variety of the
European S. nigra, which it certainly closely resembles. Like that spe-
cies, it is considerably employed in domestic medicine. An infusion of
its flowers, Elderblow-tea, is a harmless and efficient diaphoretic, and
the juice of the berries makes a tolerable wine. The bark is said to act
as a purgative and emetic.

5. VIBUR'NUM, L. VIBURNUM.

[A classical Latin name ; etymology obscure.]

Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla spreading, deeply 5-lobed. Fruit a 1 -celled
1-seeded drupe, with a scanty pulp and a crustaceous more or less flatten-
ed nut. Shr-ubs; leaves simple, petiolate ; petioles sometimes bearing lit-
tle appendage-like stipules. Flowers usually white, in flat compound
mostly terminal cymes.

* Flowers all alike and perfect.

1. V. Lenta'ffO, L. Leaves lance-ovate, acuminate, sharply-serrate ;
petioles with wavy margins ; cymes sessile, somewhat corymbose, termi-
nal ; drupes oval, slightly compressed.
Sweet Viburnum. Sheep-berry.

A*tree 15-20 feet high. Petioles % an inch to an inch long, the undulate margin dotted
with brown scales when young. Leaves 2-4 inches long. Drupes often half an inch long,
ripe in October, changing from a rich scarlet to a bluish black with a glaucous bloom-
edible especially after having been frozen.

Canada to Georgia. May -June.

MADDER FAMILY. 163

Obs. There are several other species belonging to this section ; this is
the most elegant of them, and is really worthy of culture as an ornamen-
tal tree, it being beautiful, whether clothed with its rich green foliage
and profusion of flowers in spring, or bearing its plentiful clusters of fruit
and its many-hued leaves in autumn.

* * Marginal flowers of the cymes sterile, and with corollas many times
larger than the others, forming a kind of ray.

2. V, O'pulus, L. Nearly smooth ; leaves strongly 3-lobed, broadly
wedge-shaped or truncate at the base, the lobes toothed ; petioles bear-
ing stalked glands at the base ; cymes peduncled ; fruit ovoid, red.
Cranberry-tree. Bush, or High- cranberry.

Shrub 3-10 feet high with spreading branches. Leaves 3- 5 inches in diameter with 3
very large divergent lobes and large unequal obtuse teeth. Cymes 3-4 inches in diameter,
the outer and imperfect florets, more or less numerous, raised on longer stalks, destitute
of stamens and pistils, the corolla nearly an inch in diameter, of 5 unequal rounded lobes.
Drupes yz an inch long, intensely acid.

Pennsylvania, northward. Fl. June. Fr. September.

Obs. This species is found in the swamps in the northernmost States,
and extends to the Arctic circle. The acid fruit is sometimes used as a
substitute for cranberries, whence its popular name. It is better known
in its cultivated state as the Guelder Rose or " Snow-ball," which is a
variety with all the flowers sterile and bearing large corollas. The Snow-
ball is one of the most generally cultivated shrubs, and is beautifully de-
scribed by the poet, Cowper, as throwing up its —

" Silver globes, light as the foamy surf,
That the wind severs from the broken wave." *

ORDER XXXVII. RUBIA'CE^E. (MADDER FAMILY )

Herbs, shrubs or trees with opposite or verticillate, entire leaves, connected by interposed
stipules, or whorled without apparent stipules. Flowers regular. Calyx-tube adherent to
the ovary, or sometimes free, — the limb 3-5-cleft or toothed — occasionally obsolete.
Corolla inserted on the summit of the calyx-tube, — the Idles as many as those of the
calyx. Stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla, and alternate with them. Ovary
mostly 2-celled ; styles mostly 2, more or less united ; stigmas mostly 2, distinct or con-
crete. Fruit various,— baccate, drupaceous, capsular, or separable into indchiscent car-
pels. Seeds solitary, few, or numerous in each cell : embryo in the axis, or at the extremity,
of copious fleshy or horny albumen.

This Order— comprising various Tribes, and nearly 250 Genera— contains many plants
of great value — though but few of them immediately concern the North American farmer.
Among the most important may be mentioned the Coffee plant (Coffea Arabica, L., which
may yet, possibly, be advantageously cultivated in Florida, and some other places on our
southern borders) — the Peruvian Bark (from various species of Cinchona) — and the
Ipecacuanha (Cephaelis Ipecacuanha, Rich.) The well-known beautiful and fragrant Cape
Jessamine (Gardenia florida) is also referred to this large Natural Family.

1. MADDER SUB-ORDER. Ovary entirely coherent with the calyx-tube,
Leaves whorled.

1. RU'BIA, Tournef. MADDER.

[Latin, Ruber, red ; the color produced by its roots.]

Calyx-tube ovoid-globose, — the limb 4-toothed or obsolete. Corolla sub-

164 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

rotate, 4 - 5-parted. Stamens short. Styles 2, united at base. Fruit
didymous, subglobose, baccate, smooth. Herbaceous or suffruticose.
Stems 4-angled, diffusely branching.

Ill

1. B. TINCTO'RUM, L. Stem herbaceous, flaccid, aculeate on the angles ;
leaves mostly in apparent verticils of six, lanceolate, sub-petiolate ; pe-
duncles axillary, trichotomous ; lobes of the corolla with a callous acu-
mination, but not cuspidate.
DYERS' RUBIA. Madder. Dyers' Madder.
Fr. La Garance. Germ. Die Faerber-Roethe. Span. Eubia.

Root perennial, large, reddish brown. Stems procumbent, 3-4 feet long, much branched,
pubescent at the joints ; angles prominent, sometimes more than 4, aculeate with short
retrorsely curved prickles. Leaves and stipules similar, 1-2 inches long — the midrib and
margins retrorsely aculeate— -flower-bearing branches axillary, opposite. Corolla brownish
yell»w, often 5-lobed.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of the East. Fl. July. Fr. September.

FIG. 114. The Madder Plant (Rubia tinctorum) reduced.

VALERIAN FAMILY. 165

Obs. The root of the madder abounds in coloring matter, and is per-
haps, the most valuable of all dyeing materials. Combined with proper
mordants it produces a great variety of colors and shades, varying from
the most delicate pink to the darkest brown, and even black. The great
supply is from Holland, though it is cultivated to some extent iir this
country, especially in Ohio and Tennessee. Several species of Galium,
known as "Cleavers," "Goose-grass"' or " Bedstraw," are botanically
allied to madder — but they are not sufficiently important even as weeds
to require notice.

2. LOGANIA SUB-ORDER. Leaves opposite, with stipules between them.

Ovary free from the calyx.

2. SPIGE'LIA, L.

[Named for Prof. Spigelius, a Botanist of the seventeenth century.]

Calyx 5-parted, persistent ; the lobes slender. Corolla tubular-funnel-
form, 5-lobed at the summit, valvate in the bud. Stamens 5 ; anthers
linear. Style slender, hairy above, jointed near the middle. Pod short,
twin, laterally flattened, separating at maturity from the base into two
carpels, which open loculicidally, few-seeded. Herbs with the opposite
leaves united by means of the stipules, and the flowers spiked in one-
sided cymes.

1. S. Marilan'dica, L. Stem upright, simple ; leaves sessile, ovate-
lanceolate, acute ; spike 3 - 8-flowered ; tube of the corolla four times
the length of the calyx, the lobes lanceolate ; anthers and style exserted.
MARYLAND SPIGELIA. Carolina or Indian Pink. Pink-root. Worm-
grass.

Root consisting of a groat number of fibres. Stems annual, numerous, somewhat 4-
angled, purplish, 6-15 inches high. Leaves 2 -3 inches long and about half as wide at
base, pubescent on the margins and nerves. Corolla an inch and a half long, crimson
outside, yellow within.

Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and southward. June - July.

Obs. A showy and beautiful plant, sometimes cultivated in the flower
garden, but is introduced here on account of its commercial value. The
root is extensively used as an anthelmintic or worm-destroying medicine,
and large quantities are collected for market in the southern and west-
ern states. It should be collected in autumn, and carefully dried before
packing. An infusion of the root, commonly known as " Worm Tea,"
is one of the most popular medicines of its class.

ORDER XXXVIII. VALERIANA'CE^. (VALERIAN FAMILY.)

Herbs with opposite leaves without stipules. Calyx-tube coherent with the ovary ; corolla
tubular, mostly 5-lobed ; stamens fewer than the corolla lobes (usually 2-3) inserted on
the tube ; stigmas 1 - 3 ; fruit dry, indehiscent, 1-celled or with 2 empty cells- and th<? other
1-seeded ; seed suspended, without albumen.

The Valerian of the shops is produced by a species of the genus Valeriana, and the
roots of one of oar native species are eaten by the Indians of the far west. The only plant
of interest to the agriculturist is the one described on the two following pages.

166

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

215

1. FE'DIA, L. CORN-SALAD.

[Origin of the name obscure.]

Calyx-teeth 3 - 5 or obsolete. Fruit 3-celled, — two of the cells empty,
the other one 1-seeded, cellular-gibbous on the back. Leaves spatulate-
oblong ; flowers in dense cymules.

1. F. olito'ria, Vahl. Fruit compressed, oblique, — the fertile cell with a

corky mass at the back, the sterile ones often confluent ; flowers pale

blue.

POT-HERD FEDIA. Lamb's Lettuce. Corn Salad.

FIG. 115. The Carolina Pink (Spigclia Marilandica).

TEASEL FAMILY. 167

' Annual. Stem 4 - 12 inches high, dichotomously branching. Leaves^ half an inch to 2
inches long, sessile, subdentate, somewhat ciliate on the margin. Fruit finally broader
than long.
Meadow banks and fields. May.

Obs. This is found sparingly, as yet, in this country, but is a com-
mon weed in Europe. It is cultivated for a spring salad, and is brought
to the New York markets in considerable quantities. In order to ob-
tain it early in the season, it should be sowed in the preceding autumn.

ORDER XXXIX. DIPSA'CE^E. (TEASEL FAMILY.)

Herbs with opposite sessile leaves and no stipules. Flowers aggregated , mostly in dense invo-
lucrate heads. Calyx-tube wholly (or sometimes at summit only) adherent to the ovary, — ;
the limb cup-shaped and entire, or toothed — or forming a bristly or plumose pappus.
Corolla tubular, the limb 4 — 5-lobed, sometimes ringent or irregular. Stamens mostly 4,
distinct. Ovary 1-celled, with a single suspended ovule ; style filiform. Fruit membrana-
ceous or akene-like, indehiscent, crowned with the limb of the calyx, 1-celled, 1-seeded.
Embryo nearly the length of the fleshy albumen.

The genus which is the type of this small Order, is the only one entitled to notice in this
work.

1. DIP'SACUS, Tournef. TEASEL.

[Greek, Dipsao, to thirst ; the stem-leaves holding water at their junction.]

Involucre many-leaved, longer than the acuminate subfoliaceous chaff of
the receptacle. Involucel 4-sided, 8-furrowed, closely investing the
ovary and fruit. Calyx-tube adherent to the ovary, — the limb minute,
cup-shaped or discoid, entire. Corolla with four erect lobes. Stout
biennials. Stems angular and prickly. Leaves opposite and often
connate at base. Heads large, oblong, — the florets commencing to ex-
pand in a ring about the middle of the head, and gradually extending
the process towards base and apex !

1. D. sylves'tris, Mill. Leaves lanceolate-oblong, crenate-dentate and
serrate, prickly on the midrib ; involucre curved upwards, longer than
the head ; chaff at the receptacle straight and flexible.

WILD DIPSACUS. Teasel. Wild Teasel.

.Root biennial. Stem 3 -5 or 6 feet high, branched. Radical leaves 8-12 inches long ;
stem leaves sessile, subconnate — those of the branches lanceolate and often nearly entire.
Leaflets of the involucre lance-linear, pungent at apex, unequal in length. Heads of flowers
ovoid-oblong ; corolla pale purple. Bracts or chaff of the receptacle oblong-cuneate, keeled,
abruptly tapering into a straight flexible awn-like acumination, longer than the flowers —
those at the top of the head longest.

Borders of fields, roadsides, &c. Northern and Middle States: introduced. Native of
Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. This coarse plant is completely naturalized in some localities, —
and is not only worthless, but threatens to become something of a nuis-
ance to the farms, if not attended to. A little timely care, however,
would soon subdue it.

2. D. FULLO'NUM, Mill. Leaves obovate and oblong-lanceolate, smooth-
ish, serrate, — the upper ones entire ; involucre spreading or reflexed,
shorter than the head ; chaff of the receptacle recurved, rigid.

168 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

FULLERS' DIPSACUS. Fullers' Teasel.

Fr. Chardon a Foulon. Germ. Aechte Kartendistel. Span. Car-
dencha.

Root biennial. Stem 4- 5 feet high, branched. Radical leaves obovate, narrowed to a
petiole at base ; stem leaves connate-perfoliate. Leaflets of the involucre lanceolate, mucro-
nate, rigid. Heads of flowers cylindric or elliptical ; corolla pale purple. Bracts or chaff
of the receptacle cuneate-oblong, keeled, bristly-ciliate on the margin, terminating in a
rigid subulate recurved acumination.

Lots : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. This species is cultivated by some cloth manufacturers, for the
sake of the heads, — the rigid recurved points of the chaffy bracts, on
the mature heads, serving as a kind of card, to raise the nap on woollen
cloth.

ORDER XL. COMI OS'IT^E. (COMPOSITE FAMILY.)

Mostly herbs, with alternate or opposite, often lobed or dissected (never truly compound)
leaves without stipules, and flowers in close heads upon a common receptacle, and embraced
by leaflets or scales, which form a general involucre. Calyx-tube closely adherent to the
ovary ; its limb or border (called pappus) consisting of hairs, bristles, or scales ; some-
times wanting. Corolla, either tubular and 5- (rarely 3-4-) lobed, or strap-shaped (Ugu-
late) and mostly 5-toothed. Stamens 5 (rarely 4), inserted on the corolla ; antiiers united
forming a tube which surrounds the'2-cleft style. Fruit an akene containing a single erect
seed, which is destitute of albumen.

This immense Order contains about one-tenth of the known species of flowering plants.
The flowers are either polygamous, monoacious or dioecious. Aside from the terms noticed
above, used in describing plants of this family, it may be well to mention that the strap-
shaped corollas are termed rays, and those heads possessing them are termed radiate.
The tubular flowers compose the disk ; a head composed entirely of these is said to be
discoid. The flowers of either kind are termed florets. The leaves or bracts forming to-
gether the involucre are termed scales, whatever their texture. The scales which often
grow upon the receptacle, among the flowers, are called chaff (palece), if the receptacle is
without these it is naked.

In systematic works, the distinctions into tribes are made upon minute characters of the
style, too difficult for those who have not had some experience in examining minute
objects ; in order to facilitate the determination of the genera, an artificial key, modified
from that in Gray's Manual, is appended. In this the systematic arrangement is broken
up, but the genera as described are placed in their proper order. The * and ** prefixed
to Erigeron and Senecio refer to sections of those genera.

SUB-ORDER 1. TUBULIFLOR^E.

Corolla of the perfect flowers tubular, regularly 5- (rarely 3-4-) lobed; strap-shaped
(ligulate) only in the marginal or ray-flowers, which when present are either pistillate
only or neutral (with neither stamens nor pistil).

§ 1. Heads without ray-flowers ; corollas all tubular.
* Flowers of the head all alike and perfect.

•j- Pappus consisting of bristles. •

Pappus double, the outer very short, the inner of longer bristles. 1. VERXONIA.

Pappus simple, the bristles all of the same sort.
Heads few or many -flowered.

Receptacle (when the flowers are pulled off) bristly hairy
Akenes smooth. Pappus of plumose bristles.

Leaves decurrent. Scales of involucre tipped with a spine. 25. QRSIUM.
Akenes smooth. Pappus plumose. Leaves not decurrent.
Scales of involucre, thick and fleshy with a lanceolate
appendage terminated by a spine. 24. CYNARA.

Akenes wrinkled. Pappus of short and rough bristles. 27. LAITA.
Receptacle deeply honeycomb-like. 26. O.XOPORDON '

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 169

Receptacle naked.

Pappus of slender but rather stiff bristles. Flowers

whitish or purplish. Scales of involucre several. 2. EUPATORICM.

Pappus of very soft and weak naked bristles. Flowers

yellow. *22. SE.\ECIO.

** Flowers of two kinds in the same heads.

Marginal flowers neutral and sterile, commonly enlarged. 23. CENTAUREA.

Marginal flowers pistillate and fertile. .

Receptacle naked or bearing no conspicuous chaff.

Pappus of capillary bristles. Scales of the involucre imbri-
cated, dry and scarious. 20. G.VAPHALICM.
Pappus of capillary bristles. Involucre of but one row of
scales.

Heads very small. *5. ERIGEROX.

Heads large. Pappus copious, very white. 21 ERECUTHITES.

Pappus obsolete or none.

Akenes broad at the top. Pappus a short crown. 18. TANACETTJM.

Akenes narrow at the top. Pappus none. 19. ARTEMISIA.

*** Flowers of two kinds in separate heads ; one pistillate, the other

staminate.
Heads monoecious.

Fertile involucre small. 1-flowered, pointed and often tubercled. 8-. AMBROSIA.
Fertile involucre an oblong prickly bur, 2-celled, 2-seeded. 9. XANTHIUM.

§ 2. Rays present ; i. e., the marginal flowers, or some of them,
with strap-shaped (ligulate) corollas.

* Pappus of capillary bristles. (Rays all pistillate.)
Rays occupying several rows.

Heads solitary upon a scape. 3. TUSSILAGO.

Heads more or less corymbed. **5. ERIGERON.

Rays in one marginal row, and

White, purple or blue, never yellow. Pappus simple. 4. ASTER.

Yellow, of the same color as the disk.

Scales of the involucre in one row. Pappus soft and weak. **22. SE>-ECIO.
Scales of the involucre imbricated. Pappus simple.

Heads small, racemed or clustered. 6. SOUDAGO.

Heads large, terminating the branches. 7. IXULA..

** Pappus none, or a cup or crown, or 2-3 awns, teeth or chaffy scales
corresponding with the angles or edges of the akene, often with inter-
vening minute bristles or scales.

f Receptacle naked.
Akenes. terete or angled. Pappus none. Receptacle flattish. 17. LECCANTHEMUM.

•j-f Receptacle chaffy.

Rays neutral (rarely pistillate but sterile) ; the disk flowers perfect.
Receptacle strongly convex or columnar, and

Chaffy only at the summit ; the chaff deciduous.

Pappus none. 14. MARUTA.

Chaffy throughout.

Akenes 4-sided, flat at the top. Pappus none, or a minute .

crown. 10. RUDBECKJA.

Akenes flattened laterally. Pappus of 2 deciduous scales. 11. HEIJANTHUS.
Akenes flat, wing-margined, bearing 2 persistent awns. 12. ACTINOMERI.S.
Receptacle flat.

Akenes flat or 4-sided, with 2 or more downwardly barbed

persistent awns. 13. BIDEXS.

Rays pistillate and fertile, as well as the disk flowers..

Akenes flattened and margined. Pappus none. 16. AcnimsA.

Akenes 4-angled or terete. Receptacle convex or conical.. Leaves
alternate, dissected. 15. ANTHEMIS.

SUB-ORDER 2. LIGULIFLOR.E.

Corolla ligulate in all the flowers of the head, and all the flowers per-
fect. Herbs with milky juice and alternate leaves.
Pappus of numerous small chaffy scales.

Flowers blue. 28. CICHORIUM.

8

170 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Pappus plumose.

Akeries spindle-shaped. Flowers yellow. 29. LEONTODOX.

Akenes long-beaked. Flowers purple. 30. TRAGOPOGOX.
Pappus not plumose, of bright white capillary bristles.

Akenes terete, long-beaked. Flowers solitary on scapes. 31. TARAXACUM.

Akenes flat, long-beaked. Flowers in panicled heads. 32. LACTUCA.

Akenes flattened, not beaked. Pappus very soft. 33. SONCHUS.

1. YERNO'NIA, Schreb. IRON-WEED.

[Named in honor of William Vernon, an English Botanist.]

Heads many-flowered, in corymbose cymes. Involucre imbricate, shorter
than the flowers, — the inner scales longest. Receptacle naked. Akenes
clavate, ribbed . Pappus double, — the inner series of numerous bristles —
the outer mostly short, minute, often dilated and scale-like. Mostly pe-
rennial kerbs, with alternate leaves ; flowers bright purple.

1. V, Noveboracen'sis, Willd. Leaves lanceolate or oblong, serrulate*
roughish ; heads numerous, in a terminal corymb ; scales of the involu-
cre ovate, acute or often with a long filiform flexuous point.
NEW- YORK VERNONIA. Iron-weed.

Stem 2 or 3-6 or 7 feet high, somewhat branching at summit, finally firm and subligne-
ous. Leaves 3 - 6 or 8 inches long, subsessile, thickish or subcoriaceous. Akenes scabrous
with short hairs ; pappus a dirty white, or often purplish, scabrous — the outer series con-
sisting of short chafty or scale-like bristles.

Moist meadows and low grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. August. Ft:
September.

06s. This plant is quite common in moist low grounds, and along
fence-rows. Its worthless character and coarse hard stem cause it to be
regarded as a rather obnoxious weed, in our meadows ; and of course it
is carefully eradicated by all neat farmers.

2. EUPATO'RIUM, Tournef. THOROUGH-WORT.

[Named from Eupatm- Miihridates ; who, it is said, first used the plant.]

Heads 3 - many-flowered. Involucre oblong, cylindric or campanu-
late, — the scales imbricated in 2, 3, or more series — or sometimes nearly
equal in a single series. Receptacle flat, naked. Akenes 5-angied. Pap-
pus a single series of very slender bristles, rough or minutely serrulate.
Perennial herbs, with leaves mostly opposite or verticillate, often resi-
nous dotted ; flowers white or purplish.

1, E. perfolia'tum, L- Stem rigid, hirsutely villous, corymbosely
branched above ; leaves opposite and decussate, connate-perfoliate, ob-
long-lanceolate, crenate-serrate, reticulately veined and rugose, very pu-
bescent beneath ; heads about 10 or more flowered.
PERFOLIATE EUPATORIUM. Thorough-stem. Boneset. Indian Sage.

Stem 2-4 feet high, the branches whitish and very pubescent. Leaves 4-6 or 8 inches
long, opposite and completely united at base — or sometimes contracted at base and
scarcely connate (rarely verticillate in threes, and connate), tapering gradually to a
slender point, sprinkled with resinous particles beneath. Heads of flowers crowded, in

. 1
COMPOSITE FAMILY. 171

largo corymbs. Scales of the involucre lance-linear, rather acute. Fiords white. Akenes
smoothish.
Low swampy grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. July - August. Fr. Sept.

Obs. This species is so common in wet meadows, and low grounds, as
to be regarded rather as an objectionable weed. But it is chiefly en-
titled to notice for its medicinal properties, — being either emetic, ca-
thartic, or tonic— according to the dose, or mode of exhibition.

There are several other species of this genus, which meet the eye of
the farmer iti his meadows and along the borders of woods and thickets —
particularly a tall, stout one, with verticillate leaves and purple flowers,
(E, purpureiim, L.) ; but they are scarcely of sufficient importance to
claim a place in this work.

3. TUSSILA'GO, Tournef. COLTS-FOOT.

[Name from the Latin, Tussis, a cough ; for the cure of which the plant is used.]

Heads many-flowered, those of the ray narrowly ligulate, pistillate, fer-
tile, in several series, the disk-flowers few, staminate. Scales of the in-
volucre oblong obtuse, in nearly a single series. Receptacle flat. Fertile
achenia cylindrical oblong. Pappus capillary, copious in the fertile
flowers. A perennial herb with thick creeping root-stocks ; leaves radical,
appearing later than the scaly scapes ; flowers yellow.
1. T. Far' f ara, L. Scapes single-flowered, imbricated with scales, woolly
when young ; leaves long petioled, cordate, angular-toothed.
Colts-foot.

Root-stock widely spreading. Scapes about a foot high. Leaves which acquire their full
size after the lowering season, 3-5 inches in diameter, the margin irregularly lobed and
angular, smoothish above and white tomentose below. Heads of flowers about % of an
inch in diameter.

Along streams : New England and New York. Introduced from Europe. March -April.

Obs. The Colts-foot which is sometimes a troublesome weed in the
cultivated grounds of England, is perfectly established in the cooler por-
tions of our country. It is not introduced here on account of any impor-
tance it possesses with us as a weed, but for its popular, medicinal repu-
tation. It is one of those harmless plants which have long been con-
sidered as efficacious domestic remedies, and it is even cultivated in old
gardens. An infusion of the whole plant is used for coughs and pulmo-
nary complaints. It is probably about as valuable as any other mucilag-
inous drink, with some tonic qualities. The leaves have sometimes
been smoked for asthma.

4. AS 'TEE, Tournef. ASTER.

[Greek, Aster, a star ; the radiated heads of flowers resembling stars.]

Heads many-flowered — the ray-florets in a single series, pistillate, — those
of the disk tubular and perfect. Scales of the involucre more or less im-
bricated, usually whitish below and green or foliaceous at apex. Recep-

172 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

fade flat, mostly alveolate, (or pitted.) Akenes usually compressed,
Pappus simple, of capillary bristles. Heads corymbose, paniculate, or
racemose ; rays purple, white, or blue.

1. A. ericoi'des, L. Smoothish, much branched, — the simple leafy
branchlets or peduncles racemose and mostly unilateral on the virgate
spreading branches ; leaves rather rigid, — the radical and lower cauline
ones oblanceolate or oblong-spatulate, tapering to a margined petiole, —
the others linear-lanceolate and linear-subulate, acuto at each end ;
heads small, numerous, solitary on the branchlets ; involucre hemispheri-
cal or subturbinate, — the scales loosely imbricated, linear-oblong, acute,
spreading at apex.

ERICA, OR HEATH-LIKE ASTER.

Stem 1 - 2 or 3 feet high, often branched from the base. Radical leaves 1 - 3 or 4 inches
long, sparingly serrate, ciliate, tapering to a petiole nearly as long as the leaf ; stem-leaves
1-3 inches long, those on the, branchlets smaller, subulate-linear. Rays white, or often
tinged with pale purple, — the disk often becoming reddish purple.

Sterile soils ; old fields, pastures, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. August -Sep-
tember. Fr. October.

Obs. Many species of this genus meet the eye of the farmer, in the
latter part of summer, in his woodlands, low grounds, borders of thick-
ets, &c., some of which species are quite ornamental ; but the little
bushy one here described (which, I believe, has not acquired a common
name,) is almost the only one which invades our pastures to any material
extent. In thinnish old fields, it sometimes becomes an abundant — as it
is always a very worthless — weed. Good culture, and enriching the soil,
soon cause it to disappear.

The commonly-cultivated China Aster is placed by most botanists in
an allied genus, Callistephus ; in the most prized varieties of which,
known as " German Asters," the rays are not developed, but the disk
flowers are very large. There are over 30 species of native Aster in the
Northern States, and many more at the South ; some of these are quite
showy in cultivation.

5. ERIG'ERON, L. FLEA-BANE.

[Greek, Er, spring, and Geron, an old man ; the plant being hoary in spring.]

Heads many-flowered, somewhat hemispherical ; ray-florets very nume-
rous and usually 'n more than one series, pistillate, — those of the disk
tubular, perfect. Scales of the involucre mostly equal, narrow, in a
nearly single series. Receptacle flat, naked, punctate. Akenes com-
pressed, usually pubescent. Pappus a single series of capillary scabrous
bristles, often with minute ones intermixed, — or sometimes with an exte-
rior coroniform pappus of subulate scales. Heads corymbose or panicu-
late.

* Pappus single; rays inconspicuous, white.

COMPOSITE FAMILY.

173

1, E, Canaden'se, L. Stem hirsute, paniculately branched ; leaves
lance-linear, mostly entire, hispidly ciliate ; heads of flowers small, nu-
merous, racemose on the branches ; rays minute.
CANADIAN ERIGEEON. Horse-weed. Butter-weed.

Root annual. Stem 6 inches to 5 or 6 feet high. Leaves 1 -3 or 4 inches long, sessile, —
the lower ones sparingly dentate. Rays white, very narrow, scarcely longer than the
straw-colored pappus. Akenes oblong, sparsely hispid.

Fields, road-sides, and waste places : throughout the United States. Fl. August -Sept.
Fr. September -October.

FIG. 116. Portion of the upper part of the stem of Canada Flcabane (Erigeron Cana-
dense). 117. A separate floret.

174 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. This plant varies very much in size, according to the soil in which
it grows. On dry sterile banks it is very dwarf. It has disseminated
itself, more or less abundantly, all over our country, — and, it is said, all
over Europe ; and is a worthless weed, wherever found. Good farming
is the mode for smothering out such intruders.

'* Pappus double, the outer rcw of minute scales ; rays conspicuous, white.

2, E. an'nuum, Pers. Stem sparsely hirsute, corymbosely branched
above ; leaves coarsely and sharply dentate-serrate, — the radical and
lower ones ovate, obtuse, tapering into a margined petiole, — the others
sessile, lanceolate, acute, entire near each end ; rays very narrow, about
as long as the sparsely setose involucre.

ANNUAL ERIGERON. Flea-bane. Daisy.

Root biennial? (annual, DC.). Stem 2 - 3 or 4 feet high, rather stout, striate and often
angular. Radical leaves 2-4 inches long, roughish and hairy, with narrow-margined
petioles nearly twice as long as the leaves ; stem-leaves gradually smaller as they ascend.
Heads of florets rather small ; rays white, or sometimes tinged with purple. Akenes ob-
long, somewhat compressed, hirsute ; pappus whitish,— the ray -florets destitute of pappus,
except a few short coroniform teeth at or near the summit of the akene.

Pastures and waste places: Northern, Middle and Western States. Fl. June -July.
Jr. August

Obs. A frequent worthless weed in our pastures ; not particularly in-
jurious,— but conspicuous enough to attract the notice of the observing
farmer ; and therefore worthy to be known by him.

3. E. strigp'sum, MM. Stem more or less strigosely hairy, corym-
bosely paniculate above ; leaves lanceolate, narrowed at base, nearly en-
tire,— the radical ones spatulate-lanceolate, tapering into a margined
petiole ; rays narrow, nearly twice as long as the minutely hispid in-
volucre.

STRIGOSE ERIGERON. Flea-bane. Daisy.

Root biennial ? Stem 2-4 feet high, sulcate-striate and angular, rather slender, and often
sparingly branched. Leaves 1-3 inches long. Heads of florets father larger than in the
preceding ; rays white. Akenes oblong, angular or ribbed, sparsely pilose : " inner pappus
in the disk, of about 15 slender fragile and deciduous bristles ; in the ray none, or some-
times of one or two caducous bristles : the exterior a small setaceous-squamellate crown,
similar in the ray and disk." Torr. & Gr.

Pastures and upland meadows: Canada to Florida. Fl. June -August. Fr. July-
September

Obs. This plant has a strong general resemblance to the preceding,
but is more common, — though they are usually both confounded under
the same popular names. This one is apt to be very abundant in the
first crop of our upland meadows, in Pennsylvania, after a course of grain
crops. After that — especially in good land — it becomes more rare, —
being probably choked down by the grasses. All three of the species
are equally worthless, unwelcome weeds.

COMPOSITE FAMIT.Y. 175

6. SOLIDA'GO, L. GOLDEN-ROD.

[latin, Solido, to unite, or make firm ; from its supposed healing virtues.]

Heads few- or sometimes many-flowered ; ray-florets few, pistillate ; disk-
florets tubular, perfect. Scales of the obong involucre imbricated,
appressed, not green or foliaceous at apex. Receptacle small, mostly
naked. Akenes many-ribbed, somewhat terete. Pappus simple, con-
sisting of numerous scabrous capillary bristles, mostly equal. Heads
in terminal or axillary racemes, with the pedicels often unilateral,
— sometimes corymbose. Perennials, with wand-like stems and nearly
sessile stem leaves, never heart-shaped.

1. S. nemora'lis, -A.it. Stem simple or corymbosely branched above,
clothed with a very short velvety cinereous pubescence ; radical leaves
obovate-cuneate or spatulate, tapering into a petiole, sparingly crenate-
serrate, — cauline ones oblanceolate, nearly entire, rough ish-pubescent ;
racemes numerous, short, dense, unilateral, at length recurved-spreading,
often corymbose-paniculate ; scales of the involucre lance-oblong, obtuse,
appressed ; akenes pubescent with white appressed hairs.
WOOD OR GROVE SOLID AGO. Golden-rod.

Whole plant of an ash-colored or greyish aspect, by reason of its short cinereous pu-
bescence. Stem. 1-2 or 3 feet high, sometimes branched from near the root. Radical
leaves 1-4 or 5 inches long, with petioles 1-3 inches long. Heads with 3-6 disk-florets,
and 6-9 ray-florets, in secund racemes — or (in stunted branched specimens) often- in
small axillary clusters ; rays rather short, spatu late-oblong.

Sterile, neglected old fields ; borders of woods, &c. : throughout the United States.
Fl. August -September. Fr. October.

Obs. Several species of Solidago (or Golden-rod, as they are all
named, in the vernacular tongue) — some of them much larger than this
— occur along fence-rows, borders of woods and thickets, &c. They
are all no better than weeds on a farm : but this is the one which
mostly intrudes upon neglected pasture grounds, — and has therefore
been selected for description, as a sample of the genus. It is speedily
banished by good farming, — as most of our native weeds are, or may be.
S, odo'ra, Ait. The "Sweet Golden-rod" is found in dry soil — it is
distinguished by the smoothish, entire, linear-lanceolate leaves which
contain numerous pellucid dots of oil, with a pleasant odor. An infu-
sion of the herb is used as an aromatic stimulant. The oil is sometimes
distilled from the plant, and is used for the same purpose.

7. IN'ULA, L. ELECAMPANE.

• [The ancient Latin name.]

Heads large, many -flowered ; rays in a single series, very numerous, li-
near. Involucral scales loosely imbricated, in several series, the outer
foliaceous. Akenes 4-sided or terete ; pappus of capillary bristles. Pe-
rennial ; leaves often clasping ; heads solitary or corymbose ; flowers

yellow.

176 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. 1. Hele'nium, L. Stout ; pubescent ; leaves large, oblong ovate, those
of the stem clasping ; akenes 4-sided.

Elecampane.

Stem 3-5 feet high, sulcate, branching above. Leaves 9-18 inches long, and 4-8 inches
wide, acute or acuminate, denticulate, hoary-tomentose beneath, — the radical ones petio-
late. Outer scales of the involucre ovate, tomentose. Anthers produced at the base into
two tails, or bristle-like appendages. Akenes smooth ; pappus pale tawny.

Roadsides, &c. Naturalized from Europe. July - August.

Obs. Common along road-sides, and having a very slovenly aspect
after the flowering season is past. The large thick root has a camphor-
like smell and a warm, bitter taste ; it was formerly in high repute as a
medicine, but is now seldom used ; it is a tonic and expectorant, — as
those medicines are called which affect the secretions of the throat. *

8. AMBRO'SIA, Tournef. BAG-WEED.

[Poetically, Food of the Gods; in this case something like Lucus, a non lucendo.]

Sterile and fertile flowers in different heads on the same plant ;
the staminate in terminal racemes or spikes, — the pistillate ones at
their base or in the axils of the upper leaves. STAMINATE FL. Invo-
lucre flattish, hemispherical, or subturbinate, composed of several united
scales, 5 - 20-flowered. Corolla funnel-form, 5-toothed. Receptacle
flattish, usually with filiform chaff among the florets. PISTILLATE FL.
Involucre globose-ovoid or turbinate, closed, acuminate, usually with 4
-8 pointed tubercles near the summit, 1-flowered. Corolla none.
AJcene subglobose or obovoid. Annual herbs. Leaves lobed, or pinnati-
fidly dissected.

1, A. trifi'da, L. Stem tall and stout, hairy and rough ; leaves mostly
opposite, palmately 3-5-lobed, hairy, scabrous, — the lobes oval lanceo-
late, acuminate ; petioles narrowly winged, ciliate ; racemes elongated,
paniculate.

TRIFID AMBROSIA. Great Rag-weed.

Stem 3-6 or 8 feet high, branched. Leaves 4-6 or 8 inches long ; petioles 1-2 inches
long. Staminate heads small, numerous, in long terminal paniculate racemes ; florets
whitish. Pistillate, heads at the base of the racemes ; the involucre turbinate-obovoid,
with a conical apex, 6-ribbed, the ribs terminating in so many pointed tubercles round the
base of the conical acumination.

Low grounds and waste places : Canada to Georgia. Fl. August. Fr. October.

06s. This coarse ugly weed is sufficiently common, and worthless, to
entitle it to the notice of every farmer who desires to keep his premises
clear of such nuisances.

2. A, artemisiaBfo'lia, L, Stem paniculately branched, villous ;
leaves bipinnatifid, smoothish above, somewhat canescent beneath, —
the uppermost simply pinnatifid ; petioles ciliate with long hairs ;
racemes somewhat spicate, paniculate.

ARTEMISIA-LEAVED AMBROSIA. Bitter-weed. Rag- weed.

COMPOSITE FAMILY.

177

-3 or 4 feet high, usually much branched or bushy. Leaves 2-4 or 5 inches long ;
petioles half an inch to an inch and a half long. Staminate heads small, numerous, in ter-
minal slender spicate racemes. Pistillate heads solitary or clustered along the lower part
of the staminate racemes and bracteate, or in the axils of the upper leaves ; sometimes
the heads are dioecious — specimens occurring in which the terminal racemes (or rather
spikes), as well as the clusters beneath, are all pistillate, and the flowers in small sessile
bracteate clusters.

Cultivated fields and pastures : Canada to Florida. Fl. August -September. Fr. Octo-
ber.

FIG. 118. The Great Ragweed (Ambrosia triflda), upper portion of stem reduced iu
size.

8*

178

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. Tms worthless weed occurs in most cultivated grounds, — and is
usually very abundant among the stubble, after a crop of wheat : but,
if the land be good, the plant seems te be smothered or choked out, the
next season, by the crop of clover and timothy. It is always ready,
however — like several other coarse weeds — to make its appearance
whenever the grassy turf is broken up. The curious anomaly above
mentioned, — of the flowers on the terminal spikes being all pistillate, —
is frequently met with.

9. XAN'THIUM, Tournef. CLOT-BUR.

[Greek, JTanthos, yellow ; a color said to be produced by the plant.]-

Heads monoecious, in spicate clusters — the sterile spikes at the summit.

321

120

FIG. 119. Flowering .summit of the Cockle-bur (Xanthium strumarium), with heads of
staminate flowers above, the pistillate ones below. 120. A separate staminate flower very
much enlarged. 121. A head of (2) pistillate flowers enclosed in the prickly involucre.

COMPOSITE FAMILY.

179

STAMINATE FL. numerous in subglobose heads ; scales of the involucre
distinct, in a single series. Corolla tubular, clavate, somewhat hairy.
Anthers connivent but distinct. Style abortive, undivided. Receptacle
oblong, terete, chaffy. PISTILLATE FL. 2, inclosed in a 2-celIed oblong
coriaceous closed involucre, which is armed with hooked prickles and
terminated by 1 - 2 stout beaks, ('orolla filiform. Akenes solitary in
each cell of the involucre, oblong, flat. Annual herbs. Leaves alter-
nate, lobed or dentate.

1. X. struma'riinn, L. Leaves broad-ovate, mostly somewhat 3- lobed

dentate, unarmed at base ; involucre of the fruit oval, with 2 straight

beaks.

SCROPHULOUS XANTHIUM.

Clot-bur. Cockle-bur.

Fr. Lampourde. Germ. Die
Spitzklette. Span. Lampazo
pequeno.

Stem 1-3 feet high, roughish-pu-
bescent, branching. Leaves 3-6 in-
ches in length, andnearly as wide as
long, subcordate at base, but cun-
eately produced at the union of the 3
principal nerves. Heads of flowers
in axillary clusters. Involucre of the
fruit persistent, becoming an oblong
bur, with rigid uncinate prickles.

Road-sides and waste places :
Northern and Middle States : intro-
duced ? Fl. August— September.
Fr. October

Obs. This has the appear-
ance of a naturalized strang-
er, but is considered by Gray
as indigenous ; it is an obnox-
ious weed, — though not much
inclined to spread ; and with
a little attention, is easily
kept in subjection. The burs
are a great annoyance in the
fleeces of sheep. The var.
echina'tum, has the fruit
more prickly with the beak
incurved.

AM.

2. X. SPINO'SUM, Li. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, entire or somewhat

Fro. 122. Branch of the Thorny Clot-bur (Xanthium spinosum) , showing the hooked
prickly, mature involucres.

180 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

3-lobed, armed at base with slender 3-parted spines ; involucre of the
fruit cylindric-oblong, with an inconspicuous beak.
SPINOSE XANTHIUM. Thorny Clot-bur.

Stem 2-3 or 4 feet high, branched. Leaves 1 - 3 inches long, and one-fourth to three-
fourths of an inch wide, entire or with a lobe-like tooth on each side, — the upper surface
pale green, pubescent on the midrib — the under surface clothed with a short cinereous
tomentum, — the base narrowed to a short petiole — on each side of which is a triple or
3-forked spine, the branches about an inch long, very sharp, yellowish or pale straw color.
Heads of flowers axillary, solitary.

Farm-yards, road-sides, &c. : Massachusetts to Georgia : introduced. Native of Eu-
rope. Fl. September. Fr. October.

Obs. This execrable weed, believed to have originated in tropical
America, and now widely diffused through various parts of the old
world, is becoming naturalized in many portions of our country, — par-
ticularly in the Southern States. It may be frequently seen along the
side-walks, and waste places, in the suburbs of our northern sea-port
towns, — and is a vile nuisance wherever found. I have understood that
the authorities of one of our cities, a few years since, enacted an Ordi-
nance against the plant, — in which enactment it was denounced by the
name of the Canada Thistle ! The misnomer probably did not impair
the efficacy of the Ordinance : yet I cannot help thinking it would be
decidedly preferable that both lawgivers and farmers should avoid
confounding objects which are essentially distinct, — and learn to desig-
nate even weeds by their proper names.

10. RUDBEC'KIA, L. CONE-FLOWER.

[In honor of Olaus Rudlxck, father and son ; Sweedish botanists.]

Heads many-flowered ; ray-florets neutral. Involucral scales in about 2
series, leaf-like, spreading. Receptacle more or less columnar ; chaff short,
conical, not rigid. Akenes 4-angled, smooth ; pappus a minute crown-
like border. Chiefly perennials ; leaves alternate ; rays yellow, generally
long and drooping.

1. R. hir'ta, •£• Hirsute ; lower leaves spatulate, petiolate, upper ones
ovate-lanceolate, sessile ; disk conical, dark purple.

ROUGH-HAIRED RUDBECKIA.

Perennial? Stem 1^-4 feet high, rather stout, often simple or branched near the
base. Leaves 2 -3 inches long, — the radical ones on hirsute petioles 1-2 inches in length.
Heads of flowers middle-sized, on long stoutish striate sulcate naked peduncles ; chaff of
the receptacle sublinear, rather acute, hairy and ciliate at the summit.

Fields and in dry soil. July - September.

Obs. This is of late becoming rather common in cultivated lands, and
cannot fail to attract the notice of the farmer. Another species which
nearly resembles it, R, ful'gida, Ait., is also found in similar situations ;
the latter has 3-nerved leaves, and smooth chaff to the receptacle. But
little is known of their character as weeds, but they have apparently an
encroaching disposition, and should be eradicated.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 181

11. HELIAN'THUS, L. SUNFLOWER.

[Greek, Helios, the sun, and Anthos, a flower ; from the resemblance of the flowers.]

Heads many-flowered; ray-florets numerous, neutral. Involucre imbri-
cated in 3 or more series, — the scales often foliaceous and spreading at
apex. Receptacle flattish or convex, and large, — the persistent chaff em-
bracing the akenes. Akenes laterally compressed or sometimes rather 4-
sided, not winged or margined. Pappus of 2 chaffy or awn-like scales,
arising from the principal angles of the akenes, and often with 2 or more
intermediate smaller scales, very deciduous. Herbs, annual or perennial,
mostly stout and rough. Leaves opposite or alternate. Heads some-
what corymbose or solitary ; rays bright yellow ; disk-florets yellowish,
or sometimes purplish at summit.

1. H. TUBERO'SUS, L. Root bearing oblong tubers ; stem erect, branch-
ing, scabrous ; leaves ovate, acuminate, serrate, 3-nerved, scabrous, petio-
late, — the lower ones subcordate at base ; petioles ciliate ; scales of the
involucre lanceolate, hispid and ciliate.

TUBEROUS HELIANTHUS. Jerusalem Artichoke.

Fr. Topinambour. Germ. Die Erdartischoke. Span. Cotufa.

Root perennial ? (or rather appearing perennial, by the annual production of tuberous
rhizomas ?) Stem 4- 6 or 8 feet high, stout, branching, terete, hirsute. Leaves 4 -6 or 8
inches long, very scabrous on the upper surface, abruptly contracted at base to a narrow
cuneately-tapering margined petiole, which is 1-2 or 3 inches long, — the lower leaves op-
posite (or rarely ternate), the upper ones alternate. Heads rather large. Akenes some-
what compressed and 4-sided, cuneate-oblong, smooth ; pappus 1-4 (usually 2) subulate
chaffy scales.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of Brazil. Fl. August - Sept. Fr. October.

Obs. This Sunflower is often cultivated for the firm fleshy tubers, or
rhizomas, found at its roots. These tubers are pickled, and used as a
condiment. They have been commended, also, for feeding stock. It
may be remarked here, that in a rich mellow soil, they multiply so rapid-
ly, as to make the plant rather troublesome and difficult to keep within
bounds. The common name " Jerusalem Artichoke," is said to be a cor-
ruption of the Italian name for the plant— Girasol.

2. H. AN'NUUS, L. Root fibrous, annual ; stem stout, nearly simple ;
leaves cordate and broadly ovate, petiolate ; heads subsolitary, very large.

A.NNUAL HELIANTHUS. Sunflower.

Stem 4-8 feet high. Leaves 6-12 inches long and 4-8 inches wide, on petioles 3-6
inches in length. Heads of flowers 4-15 inches in diameter, flat, often nodding ; rays 1-2
inches long. Akenes obovate oblong, striate, somewhat pubescent, leaden-brown with
white margins and stripes.

Gardens. Native of Peru. August - October.

Obs. This species is often cultivated, and is somewhat naturalized in
gardens. A kind with the disk-flowers all developed as rays is common.
The akenes contain considerable oil, and it has been recommended to cul-
tivate the plant for the sake of this product ; the leaves and steins con-

182

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

tain a large amount of potash, and it would probably be found a very
exhausting crop. Fowls are very fond of the fruit, or seeds, as they are
usually called. *

12. ACTINO'MERIS, Nutt. ACTINOMERIS.

[Greek, aktin, a ray, and meris, a part ; the rays being sometimes few or irregular.]

Heads many - flowered ;
rays few or several, neu-
tral. Scales of involucre
in 1 - 3 rows. Receptacle
convex or conical chaffy.
Akenes laterally compress-
ed and winged. Pappus
of 2 smooth persistent
awns. Tall and branch-
ing perennial herbs with
serrate leather - veined
leaves tapering to the
base, and mostly decur-
reiit on the stem.

1. A. SQUARRO'SA, Nutt.

Stem somewhat hairy and
winged above ; scales of
the involucre in 2 rows,
the outer linear-spatu-
late, reflexcd ; rays 4 -
10, irregular.

SQUARROSE ACTINOMERIS.

Stem 4-8 feet high, smooth
below. Leaves a foot or more
in length. Akenes broadly wing-
ed ; receptacle globular.

Western and Southern States.
September.

06s. This is said by
Dr. Short to be a com-
mon weed in cultivated
grounds in Kentucky.
124 '

FIG. 123. Flowers of Actinomeris squarrosa. 124. A separate floret, the akene with a
2-awued pappus.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 183

13. BI'DENS, L. BUR-MARIGOLD.

[Latin, Si-dens, having 2 teeth ; in allusion to the awns of the akenes.]

Heads inany-flowered ; ray-Jlorets neutral, often inconspicuous and some-
times wanting,— those of the disk tubular and perfect. Involucre
double, — the outer scales larger and often foliaceous. Receptacle fiat-
tish, — the chaff deciduous with the fruit. Akenes flattened, or slender
and more or less 4-sided, crowned with two or more retrorsely hispid
awns. Annual or sometimes perennial herbs. Leaves opposite, incised-
serrate or pinnatifidly dissected. Flowers mostly yellow.
* Akenes fiat and broadish, not beaked at summit, ciliate on the margins.

1. B. frpndo'sa, L. Leaves odd-pinnately divided, — the lower ones
with 5 divisions, the upper with 3 ; divisions distinct and mostly peti-
olulate, lanceolate, serrate ; heads discoid, on slender axillary peduncles ;
outer scales of the involucre foliaceous, narrowed and ciliate at base,
much longer than the head ; akenes obovate-cuneate, 2-awned, pubescent
and ciliate with erect hairs.

FROXDOSE BIDEXS. Bur-marigold.

Root annual. Stem 2-4 or 5 feet high, somewhat hairy, often dark purple, branched.
Leaflets or segments 2-4 or 5 inches long, pilose beneath, abruptly narrowed at base to a
short margined ciliate petiolule,— the common petiole 1-3 inches long. Heads rather small ,
on long slender naked peduncles. Involucre double, — the 8-10 outer scales lanceolate,
leaf-like, unequal, 2 or 3 - 5 or 6 times as long as the head, ovate-lanceolate, with a scarious
margin. Florets yellowish. Chaff of the receptacle linear-lanceolate, about as long as
the akenes.

Gardens, fence-rows, Indian-corn fields, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. Au-
gust-September. Fr. October.

Obs. All the species, here enumerated, are very worthless, and par-
ticularly disagreeable weeds, — on account of the barbed awns of the
fruit, which cause it to adhere in great numbers to clothing. This one
is apt to be quite abundant in gardens, Indian-corn fields, &c. and if
permitted to mature its fruit, becomes very annoying, in the latter part
of«6ummer.

2, B. chrysanthemoi'des, MX. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, tapering
at each end, serrate, sessile, and connate at base ; heads conspicuously
radiate, often somewhat nodding ; outer scales of the involucre foliaceous,
mostly shorter than the rays ; akenes oblong-cuueate, 2 - 4-awned, re-
trorsely aculeate-ciliate on the margins.

CHRYSAXTHEMUM-LIKE BIDEXS. Beggar-ticks.

Plant glabrous. Root annual. Stem 6 inches to 2 feet high, erect or often declined at
base, branching, the branches opposite and axillary. Leaves 3-6 inches long. Heads
rather large, solitary, terminating the branches. Outer scales of the involucre about 8,
linear-lanceolate, ciliate-serrulate, spreading, the largest sometimes nearly as long as tho
rays ; the inner scales membrauaceous, elliptic or ovate-oblong, nearly equal, about as
long as the disk-florets. JBaj/sbright yellow, numerous, near an inch long. Akenes striate-
ribbed and somewhat keeled on the flatted sides ; awns usually 4. Chaff of the receptacle
spatulate-liuear, scarious, 3-nerved, yellow, or sometimes purplish at summit.

Low grounds, along swampy rivulets : generally throughout the United States. Fl.
August -September. Fr. October.

Obs. This species is rather showy, when in flower, — and is less inclined
than either the preceding or the following to invade cultivated grounds

184 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

It is, however, quite an objectionable weed, on account of the vast quan-
tity of its adhesive fruit, in autumn. There appear to be several varie-
ties of the plant, — noticed in TORREY & GRAY'S N. A. Flora.

** Akenes slender, linear, 4rsided, beaked at summit, mostly smooth.

3. B. bipinna'ta, £• Leaves bipinnately dissected, petiolate, — the
segments lanceolate or oblong-ovate, mucronate, usually narrowed at
base ; heads few-rayed, small, on slender angular-sulcate terminal and
axillary peduncles ; outer scales of the involucre scarcely as long as the
inner ones ; akenes long and slender, 4-angled and grooved, 3 - 4-awned.
BIPINNATE BIDENS. Spanish Needles.

Plant glabrous. Root annual. Stem 2-4 feet high, quadrangular, branched. Leaves
2-4 or 5 inches long, deltoid-ovate in the outline ; petioles 1-3 or 4 inches long. Heads
oblong, slender ; rays 3-4, obovate, small, yellow with dark veins ; disk-florets about 20,

FIG. 125. Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata.) 126. A mature akcne, with 4 downward
bristly awns.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 185

yellow. Akenes about three-fourths of an inch long, somewhat scabrous with short erect
hairs. Chaff of the receptacle lance-linear, shorter than the akenes.

Gardens and cultivated lots : New England to Florida. Fl. August -September. Fr.
October.

Obs. This, like the B. frondo'sa — if not carefully watched and eradi-
cated— is a great pest in cultived lots, — especially in kitchen gardens
and Indian-corn fields. One or two other species, equally worthless as
the preceding, are frequently to be met with, in low grounds : but those
here given are the most common, and the most annoying, — and therefore
most entitled to the notice of the farmer.

14. MARU'TA, Cass. MAY-WEED.

[Etymology obscure.]

Heads many-flowered ; rays mostly neutral. Involucre hemispherical, —
the scales imbricated in few series, shorter than the disk. Receptacle
prominently convex or oblong-conical, chaffy all over or only at summit.
Akenes obovoid or obconic, ribbed, destitute of pappus. Annual herbs.
Leaves bi- or tri-pinnately dissected.

1. M. Cot'ula, DC. Scales of the involucre with whitish scarious mar-
gins', receptacle conical, chaffy at summit only ; chaff subulate.
Stinking Chamomile. Dog's Fennel. May-weed.
Fr. Maroute. Germ. Stiukende Kamille. Span. Manzanilla fetida.

Plant strongly fetid. Stem 6-12 inches high, mostly erect, somewhat pilose, leafy and
much branched. Leaves 1-2 or 3 inches long, bi- and tri-pinnately dissected, — the seg-
ments short, flat, linear, acute. Heads terminal on elongated pubescent peduncles ; rays
white ; disk yellow, prominently convex or subcylindric. Akenes oblong or obconic,
striate-ribbed, mostly tuberculate in lines, with a minute disk at summit, but no sort of
pappus.

Farm-yards and waste places ; throughout the United States : introduced. Native of
Europe. Fl. June -September. Fr. August -October.

Obs. This disagreeable little weed has become extensively naturalized ;
and although not apt to spread to an injurious extent over cultivated
grounds, it is often quite abundant in lanes and farm-yards^, and not
easily expelled. The plant possesses tonic and emetic properties, similar
to those of Chamomile, and though very nauseous is sometimes used as
a substitute for that. It is said that the bruised fresh plant will pro-
duce blistering if applied to the skin.

15. AN'THEMIS, L. CHAMOMILE.

[Greek, Anthemon, a flower ; in allusion to the great number it bears.]

Heads many-flowered ; rays pistillate. Scales of the involucre imbricated
in few series. Receptacle conical, with membranaceous chaff among the
florets. Akenes terete or obtusely quadrangular ; pappus minute, coroni-
form, or sometimes wanting. Annual or perennial herbs. Leaves bipin-
nately dissected.

1. A. NO'BILIS, L. Stems simple, numerous, spreading and decumbent,
villous ; leaves pinnately dissected, subvillous, — the segments jiiultifid
with the sub-divisions linear-subulate ; chaff of the receptacle scarious,
lanceolate, not awned at apex, a little shorter than the florets.

186

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

127

NOBLE ANTHEMIS. Chamomile. Garden Chamomile.

Fr. Camomille Romaine. Germ. Die Kamille. Span. Manzanilla.

Ro:t perennial, woody. Stems simple, but numerous from the root, 4-8 or 10 inches
long. Leaves 1-2 inches long, sessile. Heads terminal on elongated leafless pubescent
pauducles ; rays white, finally refloxod ; disk yellow, convex and at length conical. Akenes
with a nearly obsolete crown-form pappus.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. The whole plant (and particularly the heads of flowers) is a fine

FIG. 127. Mayweed (Maruta Cotula), reduced.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 187

aromatic bitter, and deservedly popular as a tonic medicine, — for which
purpose it is generally cultivated. It is an old and still prevalent opin-
ion, that this plant thrives better for being trampled upon or kept pros-
trate, whence it was popularly called " the Whig Plant " during the rev-
olutionary contest in the United States. The notion is thus incident-
ally alluded to by SHAKSPEARE, in the first part of his King Henry IV. —
"For though the Camomile, the more it is trodden on the faster it
grows — yet youth, the more it is wasted the sooner it wears." This is
said to be naturalized in Delaware ; another species is quite common
about New 5Tork, A. arven'sis, L., which has the leaves less divided and
the chaff of the receptacle pointed.

16. ACHILLE'A, L. YAKROW.

[Named after Achilles, who first used the plant.]

Heads many- or several-flowered ; rays few and short, pistillate ; tube of
the disk-florets obcompressed. Involucre ovoid-oblong, — the scales imbri-
cated, unequal. Receptacle flat or sometimes elongated, chaffy. Akenes
oblong, obcompressed, somewhat margined, destitute of pappus. Pe-
rennial herbs. Leaves alternate, mostly pinnatifid. Heads small, co-
rymbose.

1. A Millefo'lium, L. Stem mostly simple; leaves bipinnately dis-
sected,— the segments linear, incised-serrate, acute ; corymb compound,
fastigiate ; rays about 5, roundish-obovate.

THOUSAND-LEAF ACHILLEA. Yarrow. Milfoil.

Fr. La Millefeuille. Germ. Die Scafgarbe. Span. Milenrama.

Stem 2-3 feet high hairy and somewhat lanuginous, mostly simple, corymbose at sum-
mit. Leaves 2 or 3-6 inches long (the radical ones still longer), nearly sessile, much and
finely dissected. .Heads small, numerous, in a dense terminal fastigiate corymb; rays
white or often tinged with purple, creuate-dentate at apex ; disk-florets whitish, — the tube
sprinkled with resinous particles. Akenes obcompressed, slightly margined near the sum-
mit, smooth. Receptacle small, flat ; chaff lance-oblong, acute.

Pastures, fence-rows, &c : throughout the United States : introduced. Native, of
Europe. Fl. June -Sept. Fr. Aug. - October.

Obs. This foreigner has become completely naturalized. It is an
aromatic bitter, and somewhat astringent, — quite popular as a tonic.
The English agricultural writers speak of it as a plant of some value,
in their pastures ; but I believe it is universally regarded here as a mere
weed. Certainly it is far inferior to our usual pasture plants, — and I
think our cattle rarely eat it. Another species, A. Ptarmica, L. (Sneeze-
wort,) is naturalized in some places. It differs from the above in hav-
ing simple, lance-linear, and sharply serrate leaves, and has much more
conspicuous rays.

188

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

131

17. LEUCAN'THEMUM, Tournef. OX-EYE DAISY.

[Greek, Leukos, white, and Anthemon, a flower ; in reference to its white rays.]

Heads many-flowered ; rays pistillate, numerous. Involucre spreading,
broad and nearly flat, — the scales imbricated, with scarious margins.
Receptacle flat or somewhat convex, naked. Tube of the disk-florets
fleshy, obcompressed, and slightly 2-winged. Akenes of the disk and ray
similar, subterete, striate, destitute of pappus. Perennial herbs. Leaves
alternate, mostly pinnatifid or incised-dentate. Heads rather large, soli-
tary and terminal.

FIG. 131. The White-weed or Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthcmum vulgare).

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 189

1. L. vulga're, Lam. Stem erect,. somewhat branched ; leaves lacini-
ately incised or pinnatifid-dentate,— the cauline ones sessile and some-
what clasping — the radical ones obovate-spatulate, petiolate ; scales of
the involucre with narrow russet-brown margins.

COMMON LEUCANTHEMUM. Daisy. Ox-eye Daisy. White-weed.

Fr. L'oeil de Beuf. Germ. Die Wucherblume. Span. Margarita
mayor.

Stem 1 to near 2 feet high, erect or subdecumbent, angular and striate, somewhat hairy,
simple or sparingly branched, but often several from the same root. Leaves 1-2 inches
long, the upper stem-leaves oblong, the lower ones cuneate-spatulate, and the radical
ones obovate or orbicular-spatulate. Heads broad ; rays very white — in length about
equal to the diameter of the disk ; disk-fiords yellow. Akenes subterete, ribbed, smooth,
dark purple between the ribs, destitute of pappus. Receptacle slightly convex, dotted.

Fields and meadows, more or less throughout the United States : introduced. Native of
Europe. Fl. June -Aug. Fr. July -September.

065. This vile intruder is becoming a great nuisance in our country.
In some districts the careless, slovenly farmers have permitted it to get
almost exclusive possession of their pasture fields, — rendering them quite
white when the plant is in bloom. Cows will occasionally crop a por-
tion of the weed in our pastures, — and I have heard it alleged that it
contributes to the making of good butter : but my own observations
induce me to regard it as utterly worthless. It is propagated rapidly,
and is, moreover, exceedingly difficult to get rid of, when once fully es-
tablished ; so that one negligent sloven may be the source of a grievous
annoyance to a whole community. I have understood that annual
ploughing and cropping for a few years, is the most effectual remedy for
the evil ; but then the fence-rows and neighboring fields must be well
watched, to prevent the formation and introduction of fresh seed. The
Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum, Z,., a kindred plant) — which
is said to be such a pest to the agriculture of Europe — does not appear
to have found its way, as yet, to the United States.

18. TANACE'TUM, L. TANSY.

[Corrupted from Athanasia, Gr., a, not, and Tlianatos, death : from its durable flowers.]

Heads with the florets all perfect, with the marginal ones pistillate in a
single series. Scales of the involucre imbricated, dry. Receptacle more
or less convex. Akenes angled or ribbed, with a large epigynous disk.
Pappus none or minute, coroniform. Perennial herbs, or suffruticose
plants. Leaves alternate, dissected. Heads corymbose.

1. T. vulga're, L. Stem herbaceous, smoothish ; leaves bipinnately
parted, — the rachis and lobes incised-serrate ; heads heterogamous, num-
erous, in a dense fastigiate corymb ; pappus coroniform, of five equal
lobes.

COMMON TANACET:M. Tansy.
Fr. Tanaisie. Germ. Der Rainfarn. Span. Tanaceto.

190 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Stems 2-4 feet high, somewhat branched above, often growing in clusters. Leaves 2 or 3
-6 or 8 inches long, interruptedly pseudo-pinnate — the segments pinuatifid, unequally
incised-serrate. Heads depressed-hemispherical ; involucre smoothish, — the outer scales
lanceolate, acuminate — the inner ones oblong, obtuse ; florets deep yellow, numerous and
densely crowded, the marginal ones trifld, obsoletely radiate. Receptacle nearly flat.

Gardens, fence-rows, way-sides, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July -Aug.
FT. September.

06s. This was originally introduced as a garden-plant, and generally
cultivated for its aromatic bitter properties, — which have rendered it a
prominent article in the popular Materia Medica. It has now escaped
from the gardens, and is becoming naturalized — and something of a
weed — in many places.

19. ARTEMFSIA, L. WORMWOOD.

[Said to be so called from Artemis, — one of the names of Diana.]

Heads discoid, few- or many-flowered, the marginal florets pistillate in a
single series, and 3-lobed, — or sometimes the heads are with the florets
all perfect. Scales of the involucre imbricated, mostly dry, with scari-
ous margins. Receptacle flattish or convex, naked or villous. Akenes
obovoid, with a small epigynous disk, destitute of pappus. Herbaceous
or fruticose — mostly perennial plants. Leaves alternate, usually pinnat-
ifid. Heads small, racemose, or paniculately spicate.

* Receptacle naked ; the central or disk-florets sterile.

1. A. DRACUN'CULUS, L. Herbaceous, green and glabrous ; stein erect,
branching ; radical leaves trifid at apex, — stem-leaves linear-lanceolate,
sub-dentate or entire ; heads subglobose, racemose-paniculate.

LITTLE DRAGON ARTEMISIA. Tarragon.

Fr. Estragon. Germ. Esdragon. Span. Estragon.

Root perennial. Stem 2-3 feet high. Leaves 1 - 2 or 3 inches long, mostly entire sessile,
narrowed at each end, those on the branches smaller. Heads small. Florets yellowish.
Gardens : cultivated. Native of Russia and Siberia. Fl. August. Fr. September.

06s. This species is sometimes cultivated in the kitchen gardens of
the curious, for the sake of its aromatic herbage. It is said to impart
a fine flavor to vinegar by steeping a bunch of the green herb in that
liquid.

* * Receptacle hairy ; the florets all fertile.

2. A. ABSIN'THIUM, L. Silky-canescent ; stem suffruticose, angular-
sulcate, paniculately branched above ; leaves bipinnatifid, — the seg-
ments lanceolate, often incised ; heads hemispherical, racemose-panicu-
late, nodding.

Worm-wood.

Fr. L' Absinthe. Germ. Der Wermuth. Span. Axenjo.

Plant hoary with a short and rather dense silky pubescence. Root perennial. Stems 2-
4 feet high, clustered or numerous from the root. Leaves 1 - 2 or 3 inches long, petiolate,
multifld or irregularly bipinnatifld, — the principal segments often trifld and cuneate at

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 191

base, the sub-divisions elliptic-oblong, obtuse, entire. Heads numerous, in leafy panicu-
late racemes ; florets yellowish. Akenes obconic-oblong, smooth.
Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. .FZ. August. Fr. Sept. - October.

Obs. This plant — proverbial for its bitterness — is generally kept in
gardens ; and is valuable for its medicinal properties, as a tonic, vermi-
fuge, &c., and is occasionally seen growing spontaneously along roads
and lanes.

Ttere is another species (A. ABROTA'NUM, L.), commonly known by
the name of " Southern-wood," or " Old Man," frequent in gardens ;
and a fourth (A. VULGA'RIS, L.), called " Mug-wort," is occasionally met
with ; but these are of less importance, and scarcely entitled to a place
here.

20. GNAPHA'LIUM, L. CUDWEED.

[Greek, Gnaphalon, soft down or wool, — with which the plants are clothed.]

Heads many-flowered ; florets all tubular, — the outer ones pistillate, very
slender, mostly in several series — the central ones perfect. Involucre
ovoid ; scales imbricated, appressed, scarious or hyaline. Receptacle flat.
Akenes subterete. Pappus in a single series, capillary acd scabrous.
Herbs mostly woolly or tomentose. Leaves sessile or decurreut. Heads
corymbose, glomerate, or spicate.

1. G. polyceph'alum, MX. Stem herbaceous, erect, paniculately
branched ; leaves linear-oblanceolate, acute, sessile and not decurrent,
smoothish above, tomentose beneath ; heads numerous, in terminal co-
rymbose clusters.

MANY-HEADED GNAPHALIUM. Life-everlasting.

Root annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, hoary-tomentose and generally much branched.
Leaves 1-3 inches long, somewhat undulate on the margins, green and nearly smooth on
the upper surface, whitish and densely tomentose beneath. Hewls rather small, oblong-
ovoid, ochroleucous, aggregated in dense terminal clusters, very fragrant. Florets
slender, yellowish. Akenes oblong, subterete, smooth. Pappus somewhat tawny.

Old fields and pastures : Canada to Texas. Fl. Aug. -Sept. Ir. October.

Obs. This is often quite abundant in old pasture fields ; and although
not a pernicious plant, it is altogether valueless to the farmer, and must
be regarded as a mere weed.

21. ERECHTBTTES, Rafin. FIRE-WEED.

[The ancient Greek name of some species of Groundsels.]

Heads many-flowered, discoid ; marginal florets pistillate, very slender,
2 - 3-toothed, — the others perfect, 4 - 5-toothed. Involucre cylindrical,
— the scales in a single series, linear, acute, bracteolate. Receptacle na-
ked, somewhat papillose. Akenes oblong, striate, somewhat attenuated
at apex. Pappus copious and smoothish, of very fine capillary bristles
in several series. Annual herbs. Heads corymbose.

192

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1, E. hieracifo'lia, Raf. Stem simple, or paniculate at summit;
leaves lance-oblong, narrowed at base, acute, unequally incised-den-
tate, sessile, — the upper ones often sagittate-auriculate and somewhat
clasping.

HlERACIUM-LEAVED ERECHTHITES. Fire-Weed.

Stem 2-4 or 5 feet high, rather large, succulent and tender when young, striate-sulcate,
more or less hairy, sometimes nearly smooth. Leaves 3-6 or 8 inches long. Heads
middle-sized, often numerous, in small cymose corymhe terminating the paniculate
branches; involucre terete-oblong, slightly ventricose ; florets whitish or ochroleucous,
very slender and numerous. Pappus very white, of numerous fine and almost silky
hairs. Receptacle flat, rough ish-dotted.

Moist grounds, recent clearings, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. July -August.
Fr. September.

Obs. This plant (which has much the aspect of a Sonchus, or Sow-
thistle) is remarkable for its pre-
valence in newly cleared grounds,
— especially in and around the
spots where brush-wood has been
burnt ; whence its common
name, "Fire-weed." It is a
coarse, worthless weed, and
often very abundant in new
grounds ; but it is not apt to
be troublesome in cultivated
fields.

22. SENE'CIO, L. GROUND-
SEL.

[Latin, Senex, an old man ; the pappus
resembling a white beard.]

Heads many-flowered, — either
discoid with the florets all tu-
bular and perfect — or radiate
with the ray-florets pistillate.
Involucre subcylindric with the
scales in a single series, or caly-
culate with a few accessory
scales. Receptacle naked. Akencs
not beaked nor winged — often
grooved or ribbed. Pappus of
numerous very slender caducous
hairs. Herbs with alternate leaves and solitary or corymbose heads.

129

isa

* Heads without rays ; root annual.

FIG. 128. The common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) . 129. A flower. ISO. An akene

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 193

1 . S. vulga'ris, L. Leaves piunatifid and dentate, — the lowest petiolate,
the upper clasping ; heads nodding.

COMMON SENECIO. Groundsel.

Stem 6-12 inches high, paniculately branching, angular, mostly smoothish. Leaves
1-3 inches long, — the upper ones somewhat auricled and clasping, — the lower ones on
petioles ^ an inch to an inch in length. Involucre somewhat obconical, smooth ; scales
often sphacelate, or blackish at apex, bracteolate at base. Akenes pubescent on the ribs.

Obs. A homely little weed in waste grounds from New Engand to
Pennsylvania. DE CANDOLLE says that it has migrated almost every-
where with European men ; but whether it is likely to become trouble-
some to our farmers is not yet ascertained.

** Heads radiate, corymbose ; root perennial.

2. S, au'reus, L. Smooth, or often somewhat arachnoid-woolly when
young ; radical leaves roundish-ovate and subcordate, or varying to
obovate and oblong-lanceolate, crenate-serrate, petiolate ; lower stem-
leaves lyrate — the upper ones lanceolate, pinnatifid, sessile or partly
clasping ; corymb subumbellate.

GOLDEN SENECIO. Golden Ragwort. Squaw-weed.

Stem 1-2 feet high, corymbosely branched, — the lower branches elongated, axillary
ami distant — the upper ones crowded or subumbellate at the summit of the stem. Leaves
1-3 inches long, varying in form on the different varieties ; petioles of the radical leaves
1 or 2 - 6 or 8 inches long. Heads terminal on the fastigiate branches ; rays and disk yel-
low. Akenes linear-oblong, striate-ribbed • pappus white.

Banks of streams, moist sterile Holds, and meadows : throughout the United States.
Fl. April -June. Fr. June -July.

Obs. A very variable plant, some forms of which have been described as
species. The principal varieties are, var. obovatus, with round-obovate
root-leaves ; this usually grows in dryer places than the var. Balsamitse,
which has the root-leaves oblong, spatulate, or lanceolate, sometimes
cut-toothed, tapering into the petiole. The last named variety is a fre-
quent weed in poor moist meadows and pastures, where the farmer may
often see patches, in the spring, made conspicuous by its yellow rays.
The var. obovatus (called " Squaw-weed") has been denounced, by an
Agricultural writer in New York, as being poisonous to sheep ; but I
know not how correctly, and am rather inclined to doubt the accuracy
of the statement. The Senecios are a multitudinous family. Prof. DE
CANDOLLE describes nearly 600 species — of which about 40 are enume-
rated by TORREY & GRAY as inhabitants of North America. Although
the species are so numerous, and, I believe, altogether worthless, I do not
know that they have been found very troublesome on the farm.

23. CENTAURE'A, L. STAR-THISTLE.

[From the Centaur, Chiron, — who, it is said, cured his wound with the plant.]

Heads many-flowered; florets unequal,— the marginal ones larger and
neutral, or sometimes wanting,— the central ones perfect. Involucre
roundish ovoid, the scales variously margined or appendaged. Receptacle
bristly. Akenes compressed. Pappus usually composed of scabrous fili-
9

194

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

form bristles in one or more series — the inner series often smaller and
somewhat conniveut. Polymorphous kerbs. Leaves alternate. Heads
solitary, large.

,./' 1, C, Cy'anus, L. Covered with a

loose cottony down ; stem erect, much
branched ; leaves lance-linear, sessile,
entire — the lower ones broader, taper-
ing into a kind of petiole, toothed or
pinnatifid at base ; pappus shorter
than the akene.

BLUE CENTAUREA. Blue-bottle. Rag-
ged Robin. Blue Bonnets, of the
Scotch.

Fr. Bluet. Germ. Die Korn-blume.
Span. Ciano.

Root annual. Stem 1 - 2 or 3 foot high. Leaves
2-6 inches long, hoary-villous or lanugiuous
— especially on the under side. Heads round-
ish-ovoid, pedunculate, not bractoato ; outer
scales of the involucre ovate-serrate, — the in-
ner ones longer, lanceolate, scarious and en-
tire below, serrate near the apex. Florets of
the centre regular, with a slender tube, mostly
violet-purple, — the marginal ones obsolctely
pistillate, larger, spreading or recurved, fun-
nel-form with along tube, blue, or sometimes
purplish or white. Akenes oblong, compress-
ed, striate, pilose, with a cavity (areola) on
one side of the base ; pappus composed of nu-
merous russet scabrous hairs of unequal
length .

Gardens and cultivated fields : Northern
and Middle States : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. August.

Obs. This plant is often seen in gardens, and in some places is grad-
ually straggling into the cultivated fields. As it is considered a trouble-
some weed, among the grain crops of Europe, it may be well to watch
and arrest its progress here. Every worthless intruder should be regarded
with a jealous eye, by the farmer. C. ni'gra and C. Calci'trapa, L., are
naturalized to some extent ; the former, known as " Knapweed," has tho
scales of the involucre margined with a short black fringe and short
pappus — principally in New England. C. Calci'trapa, or " Star Thistle."
has the middle scales of the involucre terminating in spines, and no
pappus. — Virginia.

24. CYNA'RA, Vaill. ARTICHOKE.

[Greek, Kyon, kynos, a dog ; the spines of the involucre resembling dogs' teeth.]

Heads many-flowered ; florets all equal. Involucre ovoid — the scales im-
bricated, coriaceous, produced into a lanceolate appendage which is

322

FIG. 132. The Bluebottle (Contrmroa Cyanup). 133. A divided head, showing a marginal
and disk-flower remaining oa tho bristly receptacle

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 195

spinescent at apex. Receptacle flat, firnbrillate or bristly-chaffy. Corolla
5-cleft — the limb thick at base, half as long as the tube, the lobes very
unequal. Akews obovate compressed or 4-sided, smooth. Pappus in
several series, long, plumose — the bristles free at base, but attached to
a deciduous ring. Perennial spinose herbs. Leaves alternate, pinnati-
fidly lobed, not decurrent. Heads large, with a thick fleshy receptacle.
1. C. SCOLYM'US, L. Stem branching; leaves subspinose, bipinnatifid
and sometimes undivided, tomentose beneath ; scales of the involucre
ovate, thick and fleshy at base, obtuse at apex and somewhat emargi-
nate — rarely subspinescent, straight or slightly divergent.
Artichoke.
Fr. Artichaud. Germ. Die Artischoke. Span. Alcachofa.

Root perennial. Stem 3-5 feet high, stout, striate and tomentose. Leaves large, entire
or lobed and spinose. Heads ovoid, 2-3 inches in diameter ; florets blue.or violet-purple.
Gardens : cultivated. Native country uncertain. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept.

Obs. The thick receptacle, together with the fleshy bases of the scales
of the involucre, affords a favorite vegetable dish, — for which this plant is
cultivated. Another species, called CARDOON (C. Cardunculus, L.), with
the leaves all bipinnately lobed, and more spinose, to which the foregoing
is nearly allied (if, indeed, it be not, as Prof. DE CANDOLLE suggests, a
mere variety produced by long culture), is also cultivated for the thick
fleshy petioles and ribs of the leaves, which are rendered delicate and
white by etiolation, or blanching, after the manner practiced with
Celery.

25. CIR'SIUM, Tournef. THISTLE.

[Greek, Kirsos, a varix, or enlarged vein ; for which the plant was a supposed remedy.]

Heads many-flowered ; florets all similar and perfect, or rarely imperfectly
dioecious. Involucre subglobose ; scales imbricated in numerous series,
mostly cuspidate or tipped with a spine. Receptacle fimbrillate. Akenes
oblong, compressed, not ribbed, glabrous. Pappus of many series, the
hairs united into a deciduous ring at base, plumose, merely denticulate
(the stouter ones slightly clavellate) at apex. Biennial or perennial herbs.
Leaves alternate, sessile or decurrent, often pinnatifid with the margins
and segments spinose, — the radical ones much larger than the cauline, as
is usual with biennials.

* Involucral scales ail tipped with spreading prickles.

1. C. lanceola'tum, Scop. Leaves decurrent on the stem and forming

a spinose lobed wing, pinnatifid, prickly hispid on the upper surface,

cobwebby beneath — the segments lanceolate, bifid, divaricate, spinose ;

involucre ovoid, nearly bractless ; scales linear-lanceolate, tipped with a

spine, the outer ones spreading.

LANCEOLATE CIRSIUM. Common Thistle.

Fr. Chardon lanceole. Germ. Die Kratzdistel. Span. Cardo.

196 \VEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Root biennial. Stem 2-4 feet high, branched, striate-sulcate, hairy, winged by the de-
current leaves. Leaves 4-8 or 12 inches long. Heads terminal, erect, about an inch in
diameter ; scales of the involucre connected by a cobweb-like villus. Florets purple, with
yellowish anthers. Akenes small, obovate-oblong ; pappus about an inch long, silky.

Pastures, fence-rows, way-sides, &c. : Northern and Middle States : introduced. Native
of Europe. Fl. June -July. Fr. July -August.

06s. This foreigner, which delights in a rich soil, is abundantly nat-
uralized in the Northern States, generally. Though not so repulsive
and ugly as some others of the spinose Composites, it is nevertheless a
very objectionable weed on the farm, and requires constant vigilance and
attention to exclude it, or keep it in subjection. If permitted to mature
its fruit, the spreading pappus may be seen, by hundreds, floating the
akenes through the air, and disseminating the noxious intruder far and
wide.

** Scales of the involucre appressed ; the inner ones not prickly : filaments

hairy.
f Leaves white, woolly beneath.

2, C. dis 'color, Spreng. Leaves deeply pinnatifid, sparsely hairy and
green above, densely hoary-tomentose beneath — the segments linear-
lanceolate, cuspidate and spinulose-ciliate ; involucre ovoid-oblong ;
scales appressed, tipped with a slender prickle — the outer or lower scales
lance-ovate, the inner or upper ones linear-lanceolate.

TWO-COLORED CIESIUM.

Root biennial. Stem 2-5 feet high, with rather slender spreading leafy branches,
striate, pubescent with crisped membranous hairs. Leaves 3 or 4-12 or 15 inches long
(thosj on the branches small), the under surface bluish- white with a soft dense tomen-
tum. Heads 1 — 2 inches long, and an inch or more in diameter j scales somewhat arach-
noid-villous. Florets reddish-purple, with whitish anthers.

Fields and borders of thickets : Northern and Western States. Fl. Aug. -Sept. FT.
Sept. -October.

Obs. Like all others of the genus, this is a worthless, obnoxious weed,
but is much easier kept in subjection than the preceding.

ff Leaves green on both sides, or with loose woolly hairs beneath ; scales of
the involucre scarcely prickly pointed.

3. C. pu'inilum, Spreng. Leaves semi-amplexicaul, pinnatifid, green
on both sides — the segments short, irregularly lobed, spinulose-ciliate and
pointed with strong sharp spines ; heads few and large, roundish-ovoid,
bracteate ; scales of the involucre appressed — the outer ones ovate-
lanceolate, acuminate, tipped with a short spine, the inner ones lance-
linear with acuminate scarious serrulate tips.

Low OR DWARF CIRSIUM. Pasture Thistle.

Plant pale greyish green. Root biennial. Stem 1-2 feet high, stout, sparingly branched,
striate, retrorsely pilose. Leaves 4-12 inches long, very prickly, more or less hairy,
densely pilose on the midrib beneath. Heads few (1 -3) , often near 2 inches in diameter,
mostly with large pinnatind spinose bracts at base. Fiords often 2 inches in length,
usually of a pale reddish-purple, with whitish anthers.

Neglected old fields and low grounds : Middle and Northern States. Fl. July. Fr.
August.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 197

Obs. The flowers of this species are quite fragrant, and the heads
somewhat showy or conspicuous, being larger than those of any other
native thistle. It does not disseminate rapidly, and is therefore easily
kept in subjection by proper attention.

4. C. horrid 'ulum, MX. Leaves semi-amplexicaul, pinnatifid, lanugi-
nous beneath — the short segments toothed or incised, strongly spinose ;
involucre ovoid, large, with a verticil of pectinately spinose bracts at
base ; scales loosely imbricated, linear-lanceolate, tapering to a subulate
point, but scarcely spinose.

SOMEWHAT RUGGED CIKSIUM. Yellow Thistle.

Hoot biennial ? (perennial, DC.). Stem 18 inches to 2-3 feet high, rather stout, simple
or sparingly branched, arachnoid-lanuginous when young, finally smoothish. Leaves
4-12 inches long, hairy on the upper surface, lanuginous beneath, — the segments pointed
with short rigid spines. Heads terminal, few, (often but one), nearly as large as in the
preceding species, surrounded at base by a whorl of numerous (10 -20 or 30) linear-
lanceolate bracts, about as long as the involucre, — the bracts subpinnatifid or sinuate-
dentate, pectinately spinose, with the spines somewhat in pairs, or fascicled. Florets an
inch to an inch and a half long, pale yellow (sometimes purple ? or becoming purple in
drying?).

Pastures and waste places : sea coast, from Massachusetts to Louisiana : introduced.
Fl. July. Fr. August.

Obs. A rugged and repulsive plant, which is very common on the sea-
shore, and which it is very desirable should remain a stranger to our
farms.

* * * Scales of the appressed involucre barely prickly pointed ; filaments
nearly smooth ; heads imperfectly dioecious.

5. C. arven'se, Scop. Rhizoma creeping ; stem rather slender, striate-
angled, paniculately branched at summit ; leaves sessile, lance-oblong,
sinuate-pinnatifid and dentate, undulate, ciliate-spinose ; heads numerous,
small ; involucre oblong-ovoid ; scales appressed, lance-ovate, mucro-
nate, — a few of the outer ones cuspidate-spinose.

FIELD CIRSIUM. Canada Thistle. Cursed Thistle.
Fr. Chardon aux Anes. Germ. Die Acker Kratzdistel.

Rhizoma perennial, — creeping horizontally 6-8 inches below the surface of the ground,
and giving off numerous erect biennial branches. Stem 18 inches to 3 feet high, slender
and smoothish, — the branches slender and lanuginous. Leaves 4-8 or 10 inches long,
sessile and slightly decurrent, smoothish on the upper surface, sometimes arachnoid-
lanuginous beneath, — the radical ones curled or wavy. Heads half an inch to two-thirds
of an inch in diameter, terminal, sub-pedunculate ; scales smoothish, minutely ciliate.
Florets palish lilac-purple, with whitish anthers, perfect or the heads dioecious by abor-
tion. Akenes linear-oblong, slightly 4-cornered ; pappus finally longer than the florets.

Fields and way-sides : Northern and Middle States : introduced. Native of Europe.
Fl. July. Fr. August.

Obs. This is, perhaps, the most execrable weed that has yet invaded
the farms of our country. The rhizoma or subterranean stem (which is
perennial and very tenacious of life), lies rather below the usual depth of
furrows — and hence the plant is not destroyed by common ploughing.
This rhizoma ramifies and extends itself horizontally in all directions, —
sending up branches to the surface, where radical leaves are developed

198

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

A.H.

the first year — and aerial stems the second year. The plant appears to
die at the end of the second summer ; but it only dies down to the hori-
zontal subterranean stem. The numerous branches sent up from the rhi-
zoma, soon cover the ground with the prickly radical leaves of the plant ;
and thus prevent cattle from feeding1 where they are. Nothing short of
destroying the perennial portion of the plant will rid the ground of this
pest ; and this, I believe, has been accomplished by a few years of con-
tinued culture (or annual cropping of other plants, that requiVe frequent
ploughing, or dressing with the hoe,) — so as to prevent the development

FIG. 134. The Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), reduced.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 199

of radical leaves, and deprive the rhizoma of all connection or communi-
cation with the atmosphere.

The following notice of this annoying weed, from CURTIS' Flora Lon-
dinensis, may not be uninteresting to the American farmer :

" Vitium agrorum apud nos primarium est [it is the greatest pest of
our fields.] LINNAEUS observes in his Flora Lapponica. The same may be
said with us : and we have bestowed on this plant the harsh name of
cursed, with a view to awaken the attention of the Agriculturists of our
country to its nature and pernicious effects.

" Repeated observation has convinced us that many husbandmen are
ignorant of its economy,— and while they remain so, they will not be
likely to get rid of one of the greatest pests which can affect their corn-
fields and pastures. Of the thistle tribe the greatest part are annual or
biennial, and hence easily destroyed. Some few are not only perennial,
but have powerfully creeping roots, — and none so much as the present.
In pulling this plant out of the ground, we draw up a long slender root,
which many are apt to consider as the whole of it ; but if those employ-
ed in such business examine the roots so drawn up, they will find every
one of them broken off at the end : for the root passes perpendicularly to
a groat depth, and then branches out horizontally under ground."

Two or three other species of Cirsium are frequently to be met with,
(viz. : C. nmti'cuin, MX., with the heads not spinose, — and C. altis'si-
lHUTn, Spreng., with the stem-leaves not pinnatifid) : but, as they do not
incline much to infest the open grounds or farm-land, I have not judged
it necessary to notice them more particularly here.

20. ONOPOR'DON, Vaill COTTON THISTLE.

Heads and flowers nearly as in Cirsium. Scales of the involucre coria-
ceous, tipped with a lanceolate prickly appendage. Receptacle deeply
honey-combed. Ackcnia 4-angled, wrinkled. Pappus of numerous bris-
tles, slender, not plumose, united at the base into a horny ring. Coarse
herbs ; the stem winged with the decurrent base of the prickly-lobed
leaves.

1. 0. Acan'thium, L. Stem and leaves cotton-woolly ; scales of the invo-
lucre linear awl-shaped.
Cotton Thistle.

Annual. Stem 2-4 feet high, broadly winged by the decurrent edges of the leaves.
Leaves ovate-oblong, sinuate and spinose, woolly on both sides but most so beneath.
Flowers large purple, solitary at the end of the branches. Involucre globose, of nume-
rous lanceolate very pungent scales, green with yellowish tips, the upper ones nearly erect,
the middle ones spreading, the lowermost reflexed, all connected by a cottony wob.
Pappus scarcely half the length of the florets, jointed, rough downwards.

Naturaliz3d from Europe. July -August.

Obs. A coarse thistle-like plant, conspicuous by the white cottony
appearance of its stem and leaves. Very common along road-sides and
in waste places in New England. This is said to be the true Scotch this-
tle, the national emblem.

200 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

27. LAP'PA, Tournef. BURDOCK.

[Greek, labein, to seize ; from its adhesive involucres.]

Heads many-flowered ; florets all perfect and similar. Involucre globose ;
scales imbricated, coriaceous, appressed at base, spreading and subulate
above, with the rigid apex uncinately incurved. Receptacle bristly.
Afcenes oblong, compressed, transversely wrinkled. Pappus in several
series, short, filiform, scabrous, not united into a ring at base, caducous.
Biennial herbs, coarse and branching. Leaves alternate, subcordate,
petiolate, large. Heads rather small, solitary or somewhat corymbose.

1. L. major, Gartn. Lower leaves cordate- oblong, upper ones ovate ;

scales of the involucre all subulate with uncinate tips, smooth or loosely

arachnoid.

GREATER LAPP A. Bur-dock.

Fr. Glouteron. Germ. Die Klette. Span. Bardana Lampazo.

Root biennial. Stem 2-4 or 6 feet high, panioulately branching, striate-sulcate, rough-
ish-pubescent. Leaves green and roughish pubescent above, paler and arachnoid -tomen-
tose beneath, — the radical ones 1-2 feet long, erosely dentate and undulate on the margin,
(sometimes pinnatifid, or coarsely and deeply dentate); petioles 9-18 inches long ; stem-
leases smaller, and more or less ovate. Heads roundish-ovoid, on short peduncles, termi-
nal and axillary; scales of the involucre subulate-lanceolate, keeled, minutely serrulate,
smoothish, spreading, with the point incurved and hooked. Florets purple, with bluish
anthers. Akenes compressed, angular, rugose. . Receptacle flmbrillate,— the bristly chaff
smooth, longer than the akenes.

Fence-rows and waste places : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July -September.
Fr. September - October.

Obs. Everybody knows this coarse homely weed, wherever it has gain-
ed admittance, — but everybody does not take care to keep it in due sub-
jection. One of the earliest and surest evidences of slovenly negligence
about a farm-yard, is the prevalence of huge Bur-docks. The plant is
considerably bitter ; and the leaves are a favorite external application in
fevers, head-ache, &c.

28. CICHO'EIUM, Tournef. SUCCORY.

[Etymology obscure : perhaps from Chicouryeh, the Arabic name of tho plant.]

Heads usually many-flowered. Involucre double, — the outer one of about
5 short spreading scales — the inner one of 8 - ] 0 scales. Akenes turbinate,
somewhat compressed and angular, striate, glabrous. Pappus of nume-
rous very small chaffy scales. Branching herbs ; /lowers bright blue,
showy.

1. C. Lit y' bus, L. Eadical leaves runcinate, hispidly scabrous on the
midrib, — the cauline ones small, oblong or lanceolate, partly clasping,
sinuate-dentate or entire — those of the branches inconspicuous ; heads
axillary, subsessile, mostly in pairs.

Wild Succory. Chiccory.

Fr. La Chicoree sauvage. Germ. Der Wegewart. Span. Achicoria.

COMPOSITE FAMILY.

201

136

FIG. 135. Wild Cichory or Succory (Cichorium Intybus), the size much reduced.
136. A separate head, the flowers all strap shaped.

202 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Root perennial, somewhat fusiform. Stem 2-4 feet high, angular-striate, roughish-
pubescent, with numerous and somewhat virgate scabrous br'anches. Radical leaves 4- 8
or 10 inches long, numerous. Heads axillary on the side of the stem and branches, in
pairs or often solitary. Florets blue, or sometimes purplish — and not unfrequently white —
all ligulate and radiating towards the circumference. Pappus of minute chaffy scales,
oblong, obtuse or ehiarginate, in a double series.

Fields and meadows : Northern and Middle States : introduced. Native of Europe.
Fl. August. Fr. September -October.

Obs. This foreigner is becoming extensively naturalized. Some Euro-
pean Agriculturists recommend it as a valuable forage plant, — though
they admit that it gives a bad taste to the milk of cows which feed upon
it. In this country, it is generally — and I belive justly regarded as an
objectionable weed, which ought to be expelled from our pastures. The
roasted root has been used on the continent of Europe, as a substitute
for the Coffee-berry ; but those who delight in the aromatic beverage, are
not likely to take much interest in this or any other substitute for the
genuine article.

2. C. ENDI'VIA, Willd. var. sati'va, DC. Kadical leaves somewhat erect,
obovate-oblong, sinuate-dentate, and often pinnatifid, smoothish, — the
cauline ones auriculately dilated at base ; heads sessile and aggregated
in twos and fours in the axils of the upper leaves, or solitary on elongat-
ed branches.

Endive* Garden Succory.

Fr. La Scarole. Germ. Die Endivie. Span. Endibia.

Root biennial — or sometimes annual. Stem 2-3 feet high, terete, flstular, somewhat
branched, smoothish, or often sparsely hirsute. Radical leaves 6-12 inches long, sinuate-
dentate with the teeth varying from large to very small and numerous, sometimes pin-
natifid with the margin curled and lacerate, slender and tapering to the base. Outer scales
of the involucre hispid-ciliate. Florets violet-purple, or sometimes white, — the ligules at
first involute. Akenes turbinate or obconic, somewhat compressed, angular and ribbed ;
pappus of minute chaffy scales in a double series.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of India. Fl. July -August, J5V. September.

Obs. Cultivated for the young radical leaves, — which are etiolated or
blanched by the exclusion of light, and used as a salad.

29. LEON'TODON, L. FALL DANDELION.

[Greek, leon, a lion, and odous, a tooth ; from the toothed leaves.]

Heads many-flowered. Involucre scarcely imbricated, but with several
bractlets at the base. Achenia spindle-shaped, striate, all similar. Pap-
pus of plumose bristles, enlarged towards the base, persistent. Low,
stemless perennial herbs, with toothed or pinnatifid root-leaves, the
scapes bearing one or more yellow heads.

1. L. autumna'le, L. Leaves more or less pinnatifid ; scape branched ;
peduncles thickened at the summit, and furnished with small scaly
bracts ; pappus, tawny, of a single row of equal bristles. June to
Nov. Hawkbit. Fall Dandelion.

Obs. This introduced plant is especially abundant in New England,

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 203

where it infests grass plots, beginning to flower in June, and continuing
until the frost. The flowers much resemble those of the Dandelion.
Varies with the leaves, more or less hispid.

30. TKAGOPO'GON, Tournef. SALSIFY.

[Greek, Tragos, a goat, and Pogon, a beard ; in allusion to the pappus.]

Heads many-flowered. Involucre in a nearly single series ; scales 8 -
16, somewhat united at the base, finally reflexed. Akenes sessile, with a
lateral areola at base, scabrous, terminating in a long continuous beak.
Papptis in several series, — all plumose except the 5 outer ones, which
are longer than the rest. Biennial or perennial herbs. Leaves sublinear,
with parallel nerves.

1. T. PORRIFO'LIUM, L. Glabrous ; leaves lance-linear, acuminate, very

entire ; penduncles somewhat obconical, fistular ; scales of the involucre

about 8, lanceolate, acute, longer than the florets.

LEEK-LEAVED TRAGOPOGON. Oyster-plant. Salsify.

Fr. Salsifis. Germ. Der Bock-bart. Span. Barba cabruna.

Plant glabrous and somewhat glaucous. Root biennial ? (annual DC.), fleshy and fusi-
form. Stem 3 -4 or 5 feet high, sparingly and somewhat dichotornously branched. Leaves
6-12 or 15 inches long, ovately dilated at base, and tapering to a long narrow acumiua-
tion, keeled, sessile and semi-amplexicaul, somewhat distichous. Heads terminal, on en-
larged clavate hollow peduncles, floretx violet-purple with a fuscous tinge. Akenes
lance-oblong, striate-sulcate, scabrous, tapering to a smooth slender beak, about an inch
in length, and supporting the pappus at summit.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This is frequently cultivated for its fleshy root, — which, when
properly cooked, has something of the flavor of fried Oysters ; whence
one of its common names.

31. TARAX'ACUM, Holler. DANDELION.

[Greek, Tarasso, to stir or disturb ; in allusion to its supposed active properties.]

Heads many-flowered. Involucre double, — the outer scales small,
appressed, spreading or reflexed — the inner ones erect, in a single series.
Akenes oblong, striate-ribbed or angled, minutely muricate on the ribs,
often spinellose at summit, — the apex abruptly produced into a long
slender beak. Pappus in many series, capillary, very white. Perennial
stemless herbs .\ leaves, consequently, all radical. Heads of flowers mostly
solitary, on simple fistular naked scapes.

1. T. Dens-leo'nis. Desf. Leaves lanoe-oblong, unequally and acutely
ruucinate, — the lobes triangular, dentate anteriorly ; scales of tbo
involucre not corniculate at apex, the outer ones reflexed.
LION-TOOTH TARAXACUM. Dandelion.
Fr. Dent de Lion. Germ. Der Loewenzahn. Span. Amargon.

Plant at first somowlnt pubescont, at length smooth. Root perennial. Leave* 4 -10 or
12 inches long. Scapes several from tha s:im<j root. 4-12 or 15 inches long (elongating),

204

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

140

terete, each bearing a single head. Involucre oblong, — the inner scales lance-linear, ap-
pressed, with scarious margins — the outer ones reflexed, slightly ciliate, — finally the entire
involucre refiexed. Florets yellow. Akenes terminating in a leak, which is short at first,
then suddenly elongating to about three-fourths of an inch in length, filiform, bearing the
pappus at summit, diverging so as to form a globose head.

Pastures, &c.: nearly throughout the United States : introduced. Native of Europe.
Fl. April - August. Fr. May - September.

Obs. This foreigner — although not a very obnoxious plant — has be-
come so thoroughly naturalized as to be more abundant than we'come,
in our pasture-grounds and meadows : and yet, if it cannot be repressed
or smothered out by better plants, it will be a difficult task to extirpate
it, — as myriads of seeds are annually wafted over the country by

FIG. 137. Flower and leaf of the common Dandelion (Taraxacum Dens-Leonis). 138.
An enlarged separate floret. 139. A receptacle with a portion of the akenes remaining.
149. An enlarged alcene with the pappus at the end of its elongated beak.

COMPOSITE FAMILY. 205

means of the pappus. The plant is medicinal, and is popular as a
remedy in diseases of the liver. The leaves are used as a pot-herb, or
" greens," and the young radical leaves, when blanched, are said to
make a good substitute for Endive.

32. LACTU'CA, Tournef. LETTUCE.

[Latin, Lac, milk ; in reference to its milky juice.]

Heads few, or several-flowered. Involucre subcylindrical ; scales in 2 -

4 series, — the outer ones shorter and broader. Akenes flatly obcom-

pressed, wingless, abruptly produced into a filiform beak. Pappus in

several series of soft white hairs. Leafy-stemmed caulescent kerbs.

Heads of flowers paniculate or corymbose.

1. L. SCARIO'LA, var. SATI'VA, Moris. Stem corymbosely branching,

leafy ; radical leaves erect, oval, narrowed at base, wavy, — the cauline

ones cordate, amplexicaul.

Garden Lettuce. Salad.

Fi\ La Laitue. Germ. Der Salat. Span. Leohuga.

Plant smooth, mostly yellowish green and glaucous, — sometimes fuscous and tinged with
dark purple. Root annual. Stem 2-4 feet high ; branches clothed with numerous small
leaves. Head* numerous, terminal, small. Inner scales of the involucres lanceolate, — the
outer or lower ones ovate. Florets yellow. Akenes lance obovate, striate-ribbed, about
half as long as the tilifbrm beak.

Gardens : cultivated. Native country uncertain, — probably India. Fl. July. Fr. Aug.

Obs. This plant — called salad, par excellence — is almost universally
known, and cultivated. Those forms known as Curled and Head Salad,
formerly considered as distinct species, are now believed to be mere
varieties of the above. The milky juice with which the plant abounds
at flowering time is very bitter, and possesses narcotic properties ; col-
lected and dried, it forms the Lactuearium of the shops, which is some-
times used as a substitute for Opium. There is a native species (L.
eloaga'ta, Midi.} frequently to bo met with, on the farm ; but it is
scarcely of sufficient importance to be entitled to notice, here.

33. SON'CHUS, L. SOW-THISTLE.

[Ancient Greek name of obscure meaning.]

Heads many-flowered, tumid at base. Scales of involucre more or less
inbricated. Akenes compressed, ribbed, not beaked ; pappus copious,
of very white, soft, fine silky hairs, smoothish and glaucous herbs;
florets yellow.

1. S. olera'ceus, L. Leaves runcinate-pinnatifid, dentate, sagittate and
clasping ; akenes transversly rugose.
Common Sow-thistle.

Annual. Stem 2-3 feet high, branched, hollow, tonder, glandular-pilose above. Leaves
3-8 inches long, — the lower ones runcinate, on petioles 1-2 inches in length, — upper ones
clasping. Heads of flowers in terminal and axillary cymose panicles ; peduncles thickish.

206 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

clothed when young with a loose flocculent white torucntum ; involucre tumid and orbicular
at base, abruptly contracted above to an acumiixation.
Gardens and cultivated grounds. August -September.

Obs. Besides the above, the Spiny-leaved Sow-thistle (S. as' per, L.) is
frequently met with ; it has prickly toothed leaves, those of the stem
clasping it by conspicuous rounded auricles ; and smooth, nerved akenes.
A perennial species (S. arven'sis, L.) with very large flowers, is sparingly
introduced along1 the sea-coast.

ORDER XLI. LOBELIA'CEJE. (LOBELIA FAMILY.)

Herbs with milky juice, alternate leaves, and scattered powers (i. e. not heads). Calyx-tube
more or less adherent to the ovary. Corolla tubular, irregularly 5-lobed. slit longitudi-
nally, nearly or quite to the base on one side. Stamens 5, united into a tube by their an-
thers, and more or less completely by thoir filaments ; free from the corolla. Heeds nume-
rous with fleshy albumen. The plants of this family are generally acrid and poisonous.

1. LOBB'LIA, L. LOBELIA.

[Named in honor of Matthias de Label, — a Flemish Botanist.]

Cdyx 5-lobed ; the sinuses sometimes with an appendage ; tube short,
tumid. Corolla tubular, — the tube cylindric or funnel-form, cleft on the
upper side nearly to the base ; limb somewhat bilabiate, — the upper lip
mostly smaller and erect — the lower one broader, spreading, 3-cleft or 3-
toothed. Anthers coherent in a tube, — the 2 lower ones bearded at
apex. Pod 2-celled, many-seeded, opening at the top. Flowers race-
mose-spicate, of various colors — usually blue or red.

L L. infla'ta, L. Stem erect, hirsute, paniculately branched ; leaves
subsessile, lance-ovate, crenate-dentate, pilose ; racemes leafy ; flowers
small, axillary ; calyx-tube ovoid, smoothish, the segments as long as the
corolla, the sinuses not appeudaged ; capsule ovoid or oval, inflated.

INFLATED LOBELIA. Eye-bright. Indian Tobacco.

Root annual or biennial. Stem 9-18 inches high, sometimes angled or slightly winged
by the decurrenco of the leaves, often very hairy ; branches axillary. Leaves 1-3 in-
ches long, more or less ovate, unequally sinuate-dentate or crenate. Peduncles one-fourth
to half an inch long. Corolla pale blue, rather inconspicuous. Capsule thin and mcm-
branaceous, smoothish. Seeds minute, elliptic-oblong, rough with ferruginous reticulated
ridges.

Pastures, road-sides, &c. : Canada to South Carolina. Fl. July - September. Fr. Au-
gust-October.

066'. This is an acrid plant, — possessing emetic, cathartic, and nar-
cotic properties ; and is somewhat notorious for the use made of it by a
tribe of reckless modern Empirics. It is frequent in our pastures, in the
latter part of cummer, — and has been suspected of causing the ptyalism
or slabbering of horses so often observable at that season. I cannot,
however, help doubting the correctness of the opinion ; for the horse is
a dainty animal in the selection of his food. I have often remarked the
care and dexterity with which he separates the palatable herbage from
that which is not so ; and have never seen him eat, nor even crop, so

HEATH FAMILY.

207

acrid and offensive a weed as this Lobelia. Several other species are
common, two of which are admired for the beauty of their blue and red
flowers. — particularly the crimson Cardinal-flower, (L. cardina'lis, L.) ;
which is sometimes used by the " Indian doctors" under the name of
" High-belia" probably to distinguish it from " Low-belia." It is one
of the most showy of our wild flowers, bears transplanting to the garden,
and is worthy of being cultivated. A variety is sometimes met with in
which the flowers are all white.

ORDER XLII. ERICA'CEJE. (HEATH FAMILY.)

Shrubs or sometimes herbs with mostly alternate leaves without stipules, and regular or
nearly regular flowers. Corolla 4-5-lobed (rarely 4-5-petalled). Stamens as many or

FIG. 141. A branch of Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata) with fruit and flowers. 142. An
enlarged flower showing its corolla split down on one side. 143. The same with calyx and
corolla removed, exposing the stamens united by both filaments and anthers.

208 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

twice as many as the lobes or petals ; anthers 2-celled, often with awn-like appendages,
and frequently opening by pores at the summit. Sytlel. Ovary 3-10-celled. fruit a
berry or capsule. Seeds small, with fleshy albumen.

This is an interesting Order, — comprising some plants of a medicinal character, and a
number that are exceedingly beautiful — especially the Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Kalmias,
and many species of the multitudinous genus (Erica) which is the type of the family.
|1. HUCKLEBERRY SUB-FAMILY. Calyx-tube adherent to the ovary, which becomes a berry

or berry-like fruit. Anther-cells nearly distinct, tapering upwards into a tube.
Ovary 10-celied, with a single ovule in each cell. Berry with 8-10

largish seeds or nutlets. 1- GAYLUSSACIA.

Ovary 4-5-celled, with several ovules in each cell. Berry many-
seeded. 2. VACCL\IUM.
§ 2. HEATH SUB-FAMILY. Calyx free from the ovary. Corolla some-
times of nearly or quite distinct petals. Seed-coat mostly thin and
close-fitting.
Fruit a berry or drupe.

Corolla dropping off after blossoming. 3. ARCTOSTAPHYLOS.

Fruit berry -like ; the calyx becoming enlarged and fleshy.

Anthers 4-awned at the top. 4. GAULTHERIA.

Fruit a dry pod ; the calyx not enlarging.

Corolla ovate or oblong cylindrical, 5-toothed. 5. ANDROMEDA.

Corolla bell-shaped or wheel-shaped, with 10 depressions or

pouches. 6. KALMIA.

Corolla of 5 separate petals. 7. CLETHRA.

§3. PYROLA SUB-FAMILY. Calyx free from the ovary, 5-parted, per-
sistent. Corolla of 5 separate petals . Seeds with a loose transpa-
rent and cellular coat.

Flowers in a corymb or umbel. Style very short ; stigma broad and
orbicular. 8. CHIMAPHILA.

1. GAYLUSSA'CIA, H. B. K. HUCKLEBERRY

[Dedicated to Gay Lussac, a distinguished French Chemist.]

Corolla ovoid or bell-shaped ; the border 5-cleft. Stamens 10 ; anthers
awnless ; the cells tapering and tubular above, opening by a pore or
chink at the summit. Fruit a berry-like drupe, containing 10 nutlets.
Leaves mostly deciduous and entire. Branching shrubs, commonly
sprinkled with resinous dots, bearing white (purple or red tinged) flowers
in bracted racemes.

1. G. frondo'sa, Torr. fy Gr. Smooth ; leaves obovate-oblong, obtuse,
glaucous beneath ; bracts oblong or linear, deciduous, shorter than the
slender drooping pedicels ; corolla ovoid campanulate.

LEAFY GAYLUSSACIA. Dangle-berry. Blue Tangles.

Stem 3-5 feet high, branching; branches rather slender. Leaves 1-3 inches long,
tapering at each end but obtuse at the apex, cuneate at base, on very short petioles.
Racemes lateral, loose, few-flowered ; pedicels % an inch to an inch long, with two minute
subulate sub-opposite bractlets near the middle ; corolla white tinged with red. Berries
rather large, globose, dark blue, with a glaucous bloom when mature.

Moist woods and thickets : New England to Kentucky. May - June.

2. G. resino'sa, Torr. fy Gr. Pubescent while young ; leaves oblong
oval, at first ciliate and viscid with resinous dots ; pedicels short ; bracts
and bractlets (reddish) small and deciduous ; corolla ovoid-conical
RESINOUS GAYLUSSACIA. Black Huckleberry.

Stem 1-3 feet high, much branched. Leaves 1-3 inches long, thickly sprinkled with
atoms and flat shining patches of yellow resinous matter beneath ; petioles short but dis-

HEATH FAMILY. 209

tinct. Racemes numerous, with the flowers crowde I ; pedicds 1-3 lines long, with very
small lanceolate bractlets at or near the base ; corolla mostly reddish, with tinges of pale
yellowish green. Berries depressed-globose, black and shining when mature, without any
bloom.
Woodlands and swamps : common. May -June.

Obs. The genus Gaylussacia, separated from Vaccinium on account
of its different fruit, contains besides the above-mentioned species two or
three others which, as they are not very common, and are not valuable
for their fruit, are omitted. Of these the Dwarf Huckleberry, (G. du-
mo'sa, Torr. fy Gr.,) which has very conspicuous bracts to the pedicels,
and a bristly or glandular ovary becoming a black insipid fruit, is found
near the coast from New-England southward. The first of the species
here described is readily distinguished by its long, loose racemes. In
New-England it is not much valued, but farther south, where it attains
greater perfection, the fruit is highly esteemed. G. resino'sa is the plant
which furnishes the larger share of the " black huckleberries" of the
northern markets. The fruit presents several varieties, among them
one that is nearly white. The flowers of this species as well as the
young leaves often become fleshy and expand to many times their natu-
ral size ; probably from the puncture of some insect. The fruit of both
the species described here is known in some parts as " seedy huckle-
berries." *

2. YACCTN'IUM, L. BLUEBERRY. CRANBERRY.

[An ancient classical name ; etymology obscure.]

Corolla either bell-shaped, urn-shaped, or cylindrical, — the limb 4-5-
cleft, and often reflexed. Stamens twice as many as the lobes of the co-
rolla ; anthers with two tubular horus at summit, and sometimes with
two bristle-like awns on the back near the base. Berry globose, umbil-
icate at apex by reason of the persistent calyx-teeth, 4-5-celled, — the
cells several-seeded. Shrubs with solitary, clustered or racemed flowers ;
the corolla white or reddish.

\ 1. Leaves evergreen ; corolla deeply ^-parted : anthers 8, awnless, taper-
ing upwards into very long tubes ; pedicels slender ; berries acid, red. —
CRANBERRY.

1. V, macrocar'pon, Ait. Stems slender, creeping, with ascending
branches ; leaves oblong, obtuse ; peduncles lateral.

LARGE-FRUITED YACCINIUM. Cranberry.

Stem 1-3 feet long, sending up short slender branches. Leaves about >£ an inch long,
slightly rcvolute on the margin, whitish beneath ; petioles very short. Peduncles about an
inch long, 1-flowered, tibracteolate near the nodding flower. Corolla pale purple ; lobes
linear lanceolate, reflexed or revolute. Berry globose, % an inch or more in diameter.

Peat bogs : common northward. Fl. May- June. Fr. Oct.

Obs. This species, so -highly valued for its fine acid fruit, grows
abundantly in the cold bogs of the Northern states ; the fruit being
collected in large quantities for market, and is even a considerable arti-

210 AVEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

cle of export. Of late years, especially in Massachusetts, attention lias
been given to the culture of the Cranberry, and it is found to be a
profitable crop upon lands otherwise of little value. In cultivation it
is found to succeed in situations much dryer than those in which it
grows in the wild state. Another species, the small cranberry (V. Oxy-
coo'cus, L.), has a much smaller fruit, spotted when young, but is sel-
dom found in great abundance.

§ 2. Corola oblong cylindrical or slightly urn-shaped, ^-toothed; anthers
10, awnless ; filaments hairy; berries blue or black with a bloom, sweet.
BLUEBERRY.

2. V, Pennsyl'van'icuin, Lam. Dwarfish ; branches yellowish green,
somewhat warty ; leaves lance-oblong, mucronate- serrulate, smooth and
shining ; racemes fasciculate.

PENNSYLVANIAN YACCINIUM. Dwarf Blueberry. Sugar Huckleberry.

Stem 6 inches to 2 feet high, much branched ; branches more or less angular with a
green warty bark. Leaves I to near 2 inches long, mostly acute at each end, nearly sessile,
distinctly serrulate, with bristle-pointed teeth. Racemes 4 -8-flowered, terminal and lateral,
numerous from buds without leaves and often on leafless branches ; pedicels 1-4 lines long,
with small lanceolate bractiets at or near the base ; corolla pale red or greenish-white
tinged with red. Berries abundant, large and sweet.

Hills and woodlands : Pennsylvania, northward. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. This is the earliest of the Blueberries, ripening its fruit in July ;
it is found occupying large patches upon poor and otherwise unproduc-
tive land. In the state of Maine it is especially abundant, and attains
its greatest perfection ; we have seen the slender bushes actually pros-
trate with their load of fruit. Although it is too soft to bear trans-
portation as well as some other kinds, the fruit is the most highly valued
by the country people of New England for domestic consumption. *

3. V. vaccil'lans, Solander. Low, glabrous ; branches angular, smooth ;
leaves obovate or oval, serrulate or entire, smooth on both sides, pale
or dull.

Low Blueberry.

Stem 1-2)^ feet high ; branches greenish sometimes clouded with purplish, very closely
set with white dots, sometimes warty. Leavesl inch to 1)£ inch long, rather obscurely ser-
rulate, the serratures more distinct towards the apex. Racemes from scaly buds distinct
from the leaf-buds ; pedicels shorter than the flowers ; corolla somewhat bell-shaped with
spreading segments, yellowish white, often tinged with red. Berries large, sweet and
covered with a light bluish bloom.

Woodlands : Penn., northward. Fl. May. Fr. August.

Obs. A much larger plant than the preceding species, and distin-
guished from it not only by its greater size, but by the dull color of its
foliage. The fruit-bearing branches appear above thosa bearing the
leaves, and the bush appears leafless towards the summit. The fruit of
this, as well as that of the preceding, is. sometimes called " Sugar
Huckleberry."

4. V. corymbo'sum, L. Tall ; young branches pubescent ; leaves

HEATH FAMILY. 211

ovate, oval, oblong1 or elliptical-lanceolate, mostly entire ; racemes short,

clustered on naked branchlets.

CORYMBOSE YACCINIUM. Swamp Blueberry. Tall Huckleberry.

Stem 5 -8 or 10 feet high, often stout, with irregular straggling branches — the young
leafing branches pubescent — the flower-bearing ones somewhat angular, naked and in-
clining to a greenish bronzo color. Leaves 1-2 inches long, generally elliptic, entire, and
always with a short obtuse callous mwcro, or point, at apex, pubescent when young,
especially on the nerves and under surface, finally smoothish ; petioles very short. Race-
mcs half an inch to an inch long, 6-10 or 12-flowered, proceeding from lateral buds, and
unaccompanied with leaves ; pedicels 1-fourth to 1-third of an inch long, with purplish bracts
at base, which resemble bud-scales. Corolla white, mostly tinged with purple, nearly
cylindrical, somewhat contracted at the orifice, the lobes short and tooth-like. Berries
rather large, black with a bluish bloom when mature, very agreeable to the taste.

Swamps and moist woods : Canada to Georgia. Fl. May. Fr. July -August.

Obs. This species presents several varieties, which have been consid-
ered by some botanists as species differing chiefly in the pubescence of
the leaf. One variety, var. atrocar'pum, Gray, has the leaves downy,
even when old, arid produces black berries without any bloom. Other
species of Vaccinium besides those here enumerated are found in differ-
ent portions of the country, but these are the most useful kinds, and
descriptions of the others must be sought in works of a more extended
scope than the present one.

3. ARCTOSTA'PHYLOS, Adans. BEARBERRY.

[Greek, Arktos, a bear, and Staphyle, a grape.]

Corolla ovate and urn-shaped, with a short, revolute, 5-toothed limb.
Stamens 10, included ; anthers with two reflexed awns on the back near
the apex, opening by terminal pores. Drupe berry-like, with 5 seed-like
nutlets. Shrubs with alternate leaves arid scaly-bracted nearly white
flowers in terminal racemes or clusters. Fruit austere.

1. A. TJva-ur'si, Spreng. Procumbent ; leaves obo-
vate or spatulate, entire, thick, smooth, evergreen ; fruit
red.

Bearberry. Upland Cranberry. Uva-ursi.

Stems branched, trailing on the ground, the sterile branches often 2 -
3 feet long, the flowering ones shorter. Leaves about % of an inch
long, variable in breadth, spreading or somewhat recurved. Flowers
drooping ; corolla pale rose color, somewhat transparent at base, hairy
inside. Fruit about the size of a large pea, containing 5 closely-coher-
ing, almost bony nutlets, surrounded by a mealy pulp.

New Jersey, northward. Fl. May. Fr. August.

Obs. The Bearberry is common in the Northern States
on dry and barren hills, where its prostrate branches
form dense mats. The leaves are used in medicine ; they are astrin-
gent and tonic, and by some are considered to have an effect upon the

FIG. 144 An enlarged anther of the Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi) ; each of the
cells prolonged into a tube with an orifice at the top for the escape of the pollen and fur-
nished with an appendage.

212

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

urinary organs ; they are collected in New England for the supply of
the drug market. The plant is also found in the Northern portions of
the old world, and is used in Iceland to produce a brown or black dye.
According to Dr. TORREY, the name Uva-ursi is in some places corrupt-
ed into " Universe" *

4. GAULTHE'RIA, Kalm. CHECKERBERKY.

[Dedicated to Dr. Gaulthier, or Gautier, a French Botanist, of Quebec.]

Calyx 5-cleft, 2-bracteolate at base. Corolla cylindrical-ovoid or a lit-
tle urn-shaped, 5-toothed. Stamens 10, included ; anther-cells each 2-
awned at summit, opening by a terminal pore. Capsu'e depressed-glo-
bose, 5-celled, many-seeded, enclosed by the red berry-like calyx. Sut-
fruticose humble evergreens ; flowers axillary, solitary.

1. G. procum'bens, L. Stem creeping, root-like ; branches ascending,
leafy at summit ; leaves cuneate-obovate, obscurely serrate ; flowers few,
nodding.

141

145

FIG. 145. The Checkerberry (Gaultheria procumbens). 146. A partially ripe fruit.
147. A ripe fruit cut open, showing the dry capsule invested with the enlarged fleshy
calyx.

HEATH FAMILY. 213

PROCUMBENT GAULTHERIA. Tea-berry. "Wint^rgreen. Checkerberry.
Boxberry. Ivory Plum. Partridge-berry.

Stem slender, creeping on or near the surface of the ground ; branches simple, 3-5 in-
ches high, naked below or with a few lance-ovate scales. Leaves few (4-6), an inch to
an inch and a half in length, rather crowded ; petioles very short. Flowers white, 1 -4 in
the axils of the upper leaves, on recurved pedicels % — % an inch long j fruit persistent.

Canada to the mountains of Carolina. Fl. July. Fr. Oct.

Obs. The number of popular names which have been given to this lit-
tle plant, some of which are also bestowed on quite different plants,
shows the necessity of a precise botanical nomenclature. The leaves are
agreeably aromatic, and yield on distillation a very heavy volatile oil, —
the Oil of Wintergreen of the shops, — which is largely used for flavoring
confectionery, medicated syrups, &c. The fruit, which has the aromatic
property in a much less degree, is pleasant and edible, and is often
brought to the markets of our cities. The real nature of the fruit can
be readily seen by dividing it lengthwise, when it will be found that the
edible portion is the enlarged fleshy calyx, while the proper fruit, i. e.,
the ripened ovary, is enclosed within it.

5. ANDEOM'EDA, L. ANDROMEDA.

[Xamed in allusion to the exposure of Andromeda ; from its place of growth.]

Calyx 5-parted, persistent. Corolla hypogynous, tubular, companulate,
or globose, — the limb 5-cleft. Stamens 10 ; anthers fixed near the mid-
dle, the cells opening by a terminal pore. Capsule ovoid or subglobose,
5-celled, many-seeded.

1. A. Maria'na, L. Glabrous ; leaves oval, mostly acute at each end,
very entire, sub-coriaceous, paler and puncticulate beneath, deciduous ;
flowering branches nearly leafless ; pedicels fasciculate, bracteate ; calyx
naked at base ; corolla ovoid-oblong ; capsule pyramidal.
MARYLAND ANDROMEDA. Stagger-bush.

Stem 2-3 or 4 feet high, with erect branches. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles about
one-fourth of an inch long. Flowers in racemose fascicles on the old branches. Corolla
white, or reddish-white. Capsule pentangular-ovoid, truncate at apex. Seeds numerous,
small, clavate.

Woodlands and sandy plains : New England to Florida. Fl. June. Fr. August -
September.

06.5. This shrub is very abundant in the sandy districts of New Jer-
sey ; and the farmers, there, allege that it is injurious to sheep, when the
leaves are eaten by them, — producing a disease called the staggers. I
believe the evidence is not conclusive, on this point ; but it may be well
to know the plant, against which such a charge is made.

6. KAL'MIA, L. AMERICAN LAUREL.

[Dedicated to Peter Ralm,—z Swedish Botanist.]

Calyx 5-parted. Corolla between wheel-shaped and bell-shaped, .o-lobed,
furnished with 10 depressions, in wfyich ths 10 obliquely bifid anthers are

214 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

severally held until they begin to shed their pollen. Capsule depressed-
globose, 5-celled ; seeds "numerous, minute. Evergreen shrubs ; leaves
entire ; flowers in umbel-like corymbs.

1. K. latifo'lia, L. Leaves mostly alternate, oval-lanceolate, bright
green on both sides ; corymbs terminal.

BROAD-LEAVED KALMIA. Mountain Laurel. Calico Bush. Spoon-
wood.

[-10 feet high, with irregular crooked straggling branches. Leaves sometimes in
3's, 2-3 inches long and about an inch wide ; petiole* %-% of an inch in length. Flowers
rather large, pale red (sometimes white), in spreading corymbs ; pedicels about an inch
long, viscid pubescent, with 3 bracts at base.
Rocky hills : common. May -June.

06s. This fine evergreen is common from Maine to the mountains of
the Southern States, being conspicuous when in flower, and beautiful on
account of its dark green foliage at all times. The wood is very hard,
especially that of the root, and is used as a substitute for box by the
turners and carvers in the making of small articles. The leaves have the
reputation of being poisonous to cattle, but little is positively known of
the effects of the plant upon the animal system. It is said to be easy of
cultivation in moist soil, but the experiments which have fallen under
our observation have not been very successful.

2. K. angustifo'lia, L. Leaves opposite and ternate, narrowly oblong,
paler or slightly russet beneath ; corymbs lateral.

NARKOW-LEAVED LAUREL. Dwarf Laurel. Sheep Laurel. Lambkill.

Stem about 2 feet high, slender, somewhat branching. Leaves 1-2 inches long, and
about half an inch wide ; petioles Yz-yz an inch in length. Flowers small, bright crim-
son, in lateral corymbs in the axils of the ternate leaves and thus appearing verticilkiti) ;
pedicels filiform, % - % of an inch in length, with 3 unequal bracts at base.

Hill- sides : common. June.

06s. The leaves of this shrub are supposed to be poisonous to sheep
and lambs, hence two of its popular names. The Azaleas, of which
there are several native species, and which include some of our most
beautiful exotic shrubs, belong here, but our space does not allow us to no-
tice them. The Azalea nudiflo'ra, L., or wild Honeysuckle, has often
a singular transformation of its flowers, the parts of the flower becoming
enlarged and fleshy and generally consolidated into a shapeless mass.
These succulent excresences are much sought after by boys who call
them " swamp apples " and " swamp cheeses" ; they at times are some-
what sweetish, but to any but boys, rather poor fruit. Rhodocien'-
dron maximum, L., the Kose Bay or great laurel, belongs also to this
section ; it is a noble evergreen shrub, but rather difficult of cultivation,
unless sheltered from the powerful heat of our midsummer sun. *

HEATH FAMILY. 215

7. CLE'THRA, L. SWEET PEPPER-BUSH.

[Kleihra, the Greek name for the Alder, which it resembles.]

Calyx of 5 sepals. Corolla of 5 obovate-oblong distinct petals. Sta-
mens 10, often exserted ; anthers inversely arrow-shaped, reflexed in the
bud, opening by terminal pores or chinks Style slender, 3-cleft at the
apex. Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, enclosed by the calyx. Shrubs with
alternate and deciduous leaves and white flowers in racemes.

1. C. alnifo lia, L. Leaves cuneate-obovate, acute, coarsely serrate,

green on both sides ; racemes erect, mostly simple, bracteate, hoary-

tomentose.

ALDER-LEAVED CLETHRA. White Alder. Sweet Pepper-bush.

Stem 3-10 feet high, branched. Leaves 2-3 inches long • petioles % - >£ au inch iu
length. Racemes 3-6 inches long, sometimes with 2-3 branches from the base, bearing
numerous fragrant Uowers ; pedicels short, each with a lance-linear bract at base longer
than itself.

Wet thickets : Maine to Virginia. July - Aug.

Obs. This charming shrub, which is not rare in wet places near the
coast, deserves to be cultivated in every collection of shrubbery. It is
highly prized in England, and were it an imported plant would doubtless
be equally valued here. It grows freely in the garden, its spike-like ra-
cemes increasing in size by cultivation. The flowers are" exceedingly
fragrant, indeed oppressively so to some persons. Another species, A.
acumina'ta, MX., which is a small tree with drooping racemes, is
found in Virginia and southward.

8. CHIMA'PHILA, Pursh. PIPSISSEWA.

[Greek, Cheima, winter, and Philos, a lover ; from its green appearance in winter.]

Calyx 5-cleft. Petals 5, orbicular, spreading, deciduous. Stamens 10, —
2 in front of each petal ; filaments dilated and hairy in the middle ; an-
thers 2-celled, opening by 2 pores. Ovary obtusely conic, or depressed-
globose, umbilicate at apex ; style very short, immersed in the ovary ;
stigma orbicular, peltate. Capsule depressed, obtusely pentagonal, 5-
celled, 5-valved, loculicidal at base and apex. Seeds very minute, reticu-
late-striate. Humble suffruticose evergreens. Peduncles terminal, some-
what corymbose.

1. C. umbella'ta, Nutt. Leaves cuneate-oblong, acute at base, serrate,
uniform-green ; flowers in a terminal subumbellate corymb.
UMBELLATE CHIMAPHILA. Pipsisscwa. Winter-green.

Root creeping. Stem ascending, 3-6 inches long, leafy at summit. Leaves 1-2 inches
long, subvcrticillate (often in 2-3 distinct verticils), coriaceous, glabrous. Corymb 4-6-
llowered. Petals reddish-white.

Hilly woodlands — particularly of northern exposure : Northern and Middle States. Fl.
June. Fr. Sept.

Obs. This half-shrubby little Evergreen possesses some astringency

216 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

and bitterness, so as to be moderately tonic, — though doubtless much
over-rated in popular estimation. It has been so long and so generally
noted, as an Indian medicine, under the name of Pipsissewa, that every
one who resides in the country ought to be able to identify it.

ORDER XLIIL AQUIFOLIA'CE^E. (HOLLY FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs with s.mall axillary 4-5 merous flowers, a minute calyx free from the 4-6-
celled ovary and the 4-6-seeded berry-like drupe. Stamens as many as the divisions of
the almost or quite 4- 6-petalled coroZta, and alternate with them, attached to their very
base. Corolla imbricated in the bud. Antliers opening lengthwise. Stigmas 4-6, or
united into one, nearly sessile ; seed suspended and solitary in each cell. Albumen fleshy.
Leaves simple, mostly alternate. Flowers white or greenish.

1. I'LEX, L. HOLLY.

[The ancient Latin name of the Holly-Oak ; applied here.]

Flowers more or less diceciously polygamous, but many of them perfect.
Calyx 4-6-toothed. Petals 4-6, separate, or only united at the base,
oval or obovate, obtuse, spreading. Stamens 4-6. The berry-like drupe
containing 4-8 little nutlets. Leaves alternate. Fertile flowers inclined
to be solitary, and the partly sterile flowers to be clustered in the axils.
| 1. Parts of the flowers commonly in fours, sometimes in Jives or sixes,
most of them perfect ; drupe red, its nutlets ribbed, veiny, or one-grooved
on the back ; leaves coriaceous and evergreen. AQUIFOLIUM.

1. I. opa'ca, Ait. Leaves oval, the margins wavy and sharply spinose-
dentate ; flowers scattered or loosely fasciculate along the base of the
young branches and the axils.
OPAQUE ILEX. American Holly.

Stem 15-40 feet high ; branches spreading. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles % of an
inch in length. Flmvers whitish, ochroleucous, small ; pedicels with minute bracts tit IKISC.
Berries small, roundish ovoid, red when mature, persistent.

Woodlands : Maine and southwards. June.

Obs. This becomes a handsome little tree under cultivation ; it has
less glossy foliage than the European Holly (I. aquifolium), which is in
Europe considered to make the most durable hedge of any plant what-
ever. Our own species might be advantageously used for hedges where
the slow growth is not an objection. The seeds do not germinate until
the second year after planting. The bright berries of the Holly, and its
dark foliage, make it one of the most desirable evergreens for those who
decorate their homes on Christmas. The wood is very compact and of
fine texture, and is employed in the manufacture of whip handles, screws,
and other small articles. The tree attains a much larger size in the
Southern States than it does at the North. Doct. TORREY informs us
that there were some years ago, at the Highlands of Neversink, New
Jersey, several trees of unusual dimensions, some of them being as large
round as a man's body. The celebrated Paraguay Tea, or " Mate,"
which is a substitute for both tea and coffjc to a large proportion of the

EBONY FAMILY. 217

inhabitants of South America, belongs to this genus. One of our own
southern species, I. Cassi'ne, L., known as Yaupou, furnished the black
drink of the North Carolina Indians.

§ 2. Parts of the sterile flowers in fours, Jives, or sixes ; those of the fertile
f ewers commonly in sixes (rarely in fives, sevens or eights) ; nutlets smooth
and even. Shrubs. PKINOS.

2. I. verticilla'ta, Gray. Leaves obovate, oval or wedge-lanceolate,
pointed, acute at the base, serrate, downy on the veins beneath ; flowers
all very short-peduncled ; berries red.

VEETICILLATE ILEX. Black Alder. Winter-berry.

Stem 6-8 feet high, much branched. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles about half an
inch in length. Flowers greenish white, in sessile clusters or solitary. Berries about )£
of an inch in diameter.

Low grounds : common especially northward. June.

06s. The bark and berries of this species have some medicinal reputa-
tion as a cure for ill-conditioned sores — used both externally and inter-
nally. Another nearly related species, I, laeviga'ta, Gray, found in wet
swamps, has the leaves mostly smooth beneath, the sterile flowers long-
peduncled, and larger berries than the preceding. Both are sometimes
seen cultivated among shrubbery, their red berries rendering them very
showy in autumn. I, glB,"bi3itGray, the Ink-berry, has evergreen, nar-
row leaves, and black berries. It is mostly found near the coast, and is
much sought after by the flower-merchants of our large cities, as it is
one of the most suitable evergreens to work into bouquets.

ORDER XLIY. EBENA'CE^E. (EBONY FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs, destitute of milky juice, the wood often black. Leaves alternate and entire,
without stipules. Flowers often polygamous. Calyx free from the ovary. Stamens twice
to four times as many as the lobes of the corolla. Ovary 3 - several-celled. Fruit bac-
cate. Seeds pendulous, bony, with cartilaginous albumen.

A small Order, and the genus here given is the only one of any considerable impor-
tance,— some of the species of which furnish the well-known hard black wood called
Ebony.

1. DIOSPY'KOS, L. PERSIMMON.

[Greek, Dis, Dios, Jupiter, and Pyros, fruit ; a rather fanciful name for such fruit.]

DICECIOUSLY POLYGAMOUS : calyx 4 - 6-parted. Corolla tubular, some-
what urceolate, 4 - 6-cleft. STERILE FL. Stamens twice or many times
(usually 4 times) as numerous as the lobes of the corolla ; anthers linear-
lanceolate. Ovary abortive. FERTILE FL. Stamens 8-16, mostly
abortive. Ovary 4 - 8-celled ; styles 2, 4, or several, more or less connate
at base. Berry ovoid or subglobose, with the persistent calyx often
adhering to the base, 8-12-seeded. Seeds oblong, compressed. Trees,
or rarely shrubs. Flowers axillary, subsessile — the fertile ones solitary,
the sterile ones mostly in threes.
10

218 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. D. VIRGINIA'NA, L. Leaves elliptical or ovate-oblong, obtusely acu-
minate ; parts of the flower chiefly in fours ; corolla subcoriaceous.
VIRGINIAN DIOSPYROS. Persimmon. Date Plum.
Fr. Le Plaqueminier. Germ. Der Pseudo-Lotus.

Stem 20-50 or 60 feet high, and 10-15 or 20 inches in diameter, irregularly branched.
Leaves 2-3 or 5 inches long, subcoriaceous, green above, paler or somewhat glaucous
beneath ; petioles half an inch to near an inch long. Calyx of the fertile flower spreading
and persistent at the base of the fruit. Corotta ochroleucous or pale greenish-yellow, of a
thick leathery texture. Berry about an inch in diameter, reddish-orange color when
mature, soft and pulpy after frost. Seeds large, flattish.

Rich bottom-lands, along streams : Middle and Southern Slates. Fl. June. Fr. Oct. -
November.

Obs. The ripe fruit of this tree is sweet and luscious, after being sub-
jected to the action of frost ; but is remarkably harsh and astringent iu
a green state. The bark is astringent and tonic. The Styrax Family
(Stym'cea] , is nearly related to the Ebenacese. It has perfect and regular
flowers, with the ovary more or less adherent to the calyx. Several
species of Styrax belong to the Southern States. The 'Hale'sia, or
Silver Bell, two species of which, one with 2-winged and the other with
4-winged fruit, are common in cultivation, and belong to this order ; as
does the Symplocos (Hopea) tincto'ria, the " Horse Sugar " of the South,
the green sweet leaves of which being a favorite food of cattle.

ORDER XLY. PLANT AGINA'CE^E. (PLANTAIN FAMILY.;

Chiefly low, apparently stemless, perennial herbs, with radical, rosulate, strongly ribbed
leaves and small spicate flowers on scapes. Corolla membranaceous and persistent. Stamens
inserted on the tube of the corolla alternately with the lobes. Ovary 2-celled ; style single.
Capsule membranaqeous, circumscissed ; cells 1 -several-seeded.

An Order consisting chiefly of the genus whose name it bears, and the species here
described are those of chief interest to the agriculturist.

1. PLANTA'GO, L. PLANTAIN.

[The ancient Latin name of the Plantain ; meaning obscure.]

Calyx of 4 imbricated persistent sepals, with dry membranaceous margins.
Corolla salver-form, the border 4-parted, withering on the pod. Stamens
4, much exserted. Flowers whitish, small, bracted.

* Pod 7 -IQ-seeded.

1. P. major, L. Leaves ovate or oval, smoothish, obscurely dentate,

on long petioles ; scape terete, smooth ; spike nearly cylindrical, rather

slender and very long ; flowers somewhat imbricated ; capsule about

6-seeded.

GREATER PLANTAGO. Common Plantain. Way-bread.

Fr. Plantain ordinaire. Germ. Der grosse Wegetritt. . Span. Llanten.

Root perennial. Leaves 3-6 or 8 inches long, strongly 5-7-nerved with an elastic
filament in each nerve, generally smoothish (sometimes quite pilose), abruptly contracted
at base to a channeled petiole about as long as the leaf. Scapes several, 6-18 inches high

PLANTAIN FAMILY.

219

(including the spike of flowers, which varies from 2 - 12 or 15 inches in length) . Bracteoleg
lanceolate, keeled, appresscd. shorter than the calyx. Corolla whitish, inconspicuous
ventricose below, contracted into a neck above, shrivelling and persistent. Stamens'
about twice as long as the corolla.

Moist rich grounds, along foot-paths, &c.; throughout the United States: introduced.
Native of Europe and Japan. Fl. June - September. Fr. August -October.

Obs. This foreigner is very generally naturalized ; and is remarkable
for accompanying civilized man — growing along his footpaths, and
flourishing around his settlements. It is said our Aborigines call it
" the white man's foot," from th's circumstance. Perhaps the generic
name (Plantago) may be expressive of a similar idea — viz., Plantd, the

FIG. 148. Common Plantahi (Plautago major), reduced.

220 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

sole of the foot, and ago, to act, or exercise. It is rather a worthless
weed, but is not much inclined to spread, or be troublesome, on farm
lands. The leaves are a convenient and popular dressing for blisters,
and other sores ; a fact which seems to have been known in the time of
SHAKSPEARE — as we may learn from his Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Sc. 2.

" Rom. Your Plantain leaf is excellent for that.
" Ben. For what, I pray thee ?
" Ram. F<Jr your broken sMn."

** Pod 2-sceded.

2. P. lanceola'ta, L. Leaves lanceolate, acute at each end ; scape
sulcate-angled, long and slender ; spike ovoid-cylindric, short ; calyx
deeply 3-parted ; capsule 2-seeded.

LANCEOLATE PLANTAGO. Eibgrass. English Plantain. Buckhorn Plan-
tain.

Root perennial. Leaves £-8 or 10 inches long, hairy, narrowed gradually at base to a
petiole 2-5 or 6 inches in length. Scapes several, 1-2 feet high, somewhat pilose with
appressed hairs. Spike 1 - 2 inches long, at first ovoid-oblong, finally nearly cylindric,
dense-flowered. Bracteoles ovate, acuminate, scarious on the margins and at apex — the
slender goint at length reflexed. Calyx deeply 3-parted (or rather of 3 sepals), the
outer or lower segment or sepal oval, truncate, emarginate, with 2 green keel-like lines —
the lateral segments or sepals rather longer, boat-shaped, acute,. keel green, fringed with
hairs near the apex. Corolla dirty white. Stamens several times longer than the corolla ;
angers greenish-white. Seeds oblong, convex on one side concave on the other, shining,
brown or amber-colored.

Pastures and upland meadows : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May - August.
Fr. July -September.

Obs. This species, also, is extensively naturalized, and is particularly
abundant in upland meadows, or clover grounds. The seeds being nearly
the same size and weight as those of the red clover, they cannot readily
be separated — and thus the two plants are disseminated together, in the
culture of clover. Nearly all kinds of stock eat this Plaintain freely, and
it has even been cultivated expressly for a Sheep-pasture ; but it is gene-
' rally much disliked, in Pennsylvania. I do not, however, perceive any
mode of getting rid of it, or even of arresting its progress, unless it can
be choked down by heavy crops of Clover and the valuable Grasses.

ORDER XLVI. BIGNONIA'CE^. (BIGNONIA FAMILY.)

Woody or sometimes herbaceous plants, with mostly opposite, simple or compound leaves,
and didynamous or diandrous flowers. Calyx 2-lipped or 5-cleft ; corolla tubular or bell-
shaped, 5-lobed, somewhat irregular and 2-lipped, deciduous ; ovary free, 2-celled by the
projection of the placenta ; capsule coriaceous or woody, 2-valved, many -seeded ; seeds
large, flat, often winged, destitute of albumen.

SUB-ORDER 1. BIGNOXEJE.

Woody plants with 1 - 2-celled and 2-valved gads. Seeds flat and winged.

1. TE'OOMA, Juss. TRUMPET- FLOWER.

[Name abridged from the Mexican.]

Calyx bell shaped, 5-toothed. Corolla funnel-form 5-lobed, a little irre-

BIGNONIA FAMILY.

221

gular. Stamens 4. Pod long and narrow, 2-celled, the partition contrary
to the convex valves. Seeds transversely winged. Woody' vines with
compound leaves.

I, T. radi'cans,

Juss. Leaves pin-
nate ; leaflets 5 -

II, ovate, point-
ed, toothed ; flow-
ers corymbed.

ROOTING BIGNO-
NIA. Trumpet
creeper.

Stem climbing by
rootlets. Leaflets about
4 inches long, taper-
ing into a pelinle which
is often bordered on
one or both sides by
the dccurrcnt lumi-
nar, ribbed, smooth
on the upper surface,
pubescent along the
ribs below. Flowers
corymbed on pedicels
about half an inch
long. Corolla tubular,
funnel-shaped, some-
what ventricose be-
low,"about 3 inches in
length. Orange and
scarlet, very showy.
Stamens included. Pod
very long, terete.

Pennsylvania, Illi-
nois and southward.
June -September.

Obs. This beau-
tiful climber,
which is cultiva-
ted extensively,
and readily bears

the climate of New England, is, according to Dr. SHORT, a great pest
along the Ohio River, where it is much disposed to overrun wet places
on high lands.

2. CATAL'PA, Scop. CATALPA.

[A name said to be derived from our Southern Indians.]

Calyx bilabiately 2-lobed. Corolla campanulate— the tube ventricose,
the limb unequally 5-lobed, sub-bilabiate. Stamens 2 fertile and 3 sterile

349

FIG. 149. A flourishing branch of the Trumpet Creeper (Tecoma radicans) , reduced.

222 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

or abortive (rarely didynamous). Capsule silique-form, cylindric, long,
2-valved ; septum thickish, opposite the valves. Seeds numerous, trans-
verse, compressed, produced at each end into a membranous wing, which
is fringed or comose at apex. Trees. Flowers in terminal panicles.

1, C. bignonioi des, Walt. Leaves cordate, acuminate, entire, pubes-
cent beneath ; panicles pyramidal, trichotomously branched.
BIGNONIA-LIKE CAT ALP A. Catawba. Bean-tree.

Stem 15-25 feet high, with irregular spreading branches. Leaves 4-8 or 10 inches in
length ; petioles 2 - 6 inches long, terete, sinoothish. Corolla whitish, tinged with violet-
purple, the throat spotted with purple- and yellow, the lobes unequal, crenate and wavy.
Capsule 6-12 or 15 inches long, and about half an inch in diameter, pendulous, persistent.
Seeds lance-oblong, about half an inch in length, apparently of 2 flat oval divaricate lobes,
connate at base, with a membranous covering which is extended at the margin, and
especially at the apex, each apex terminating in a slender filamentous tuft or coma.

About farm-houses and along streams : Southern , Western and Middle States. Fl. June -
July. Fr. October.

Obs. Cultivated as a shade tree, but indigenous in the South-west
In the latitude of New York the larger branches, and frequently the
whole tree, are killed by a severe winter.

SUB-ORDER 2. SESAMES.

Herbs with the fruit more or less 5-celled. Seeds not winged.

3. MARTY'NIA, L. UNICORN-PLANT.

[Named in honor of John Martyn, Prof, of Botany at Cambridge, England.]

Calyx 5-cleft, with 2-3 small bracts at base. Corolla irregular, cam-
panulate, gibbous at base, — the limb unequally 5-lobed. Stamens
mostly 4, didynamous, with a fifth rudimentary one, — sometimes all,
sometimes 2 only, bearing anthers. Capsule somewhat 4-celled, 2-valved,
woody with a coriaceous and finally deciduous coat, ovoid-oblong, ter-
minating in a curved beak at apex, — the beak parting into 2 horns, but
the capsule scarcely dehiscent. Seeds few in each cell, arranged in a
single series along the septum, somewhat baccate, finally tuberculate-
rugose.

1. M. probosci'dea, Glox. Stem branching ; leaves orbicular-cordate
entire, petiolate, — the upper ones alternate ; beaks longer than the per-
icarp.

LONG-BEAKED MARTYNIA. Unicorn Plant.

Plant pale green, viscid-pubescent and fetid. Root annual. Stem leaning or procum-
bent, 1-2 feet long, branching, fistular. Leaves 2-5 inches long ; petioles 2-6 inches
long. Flowers axillary ; peduncles 1 - 3 inches long. Corolla large, pale greenish yellow
or ochroleucous, with orange-colored or brownish spots within. Capsule 2-3 inches long,
somewhat sulcate in front, with a bipartible crest-like fringe along the suture in the broad
shallow groove, tapering to a beak which is 2 -3 or 4 inches long, and finally split into two
rigid horns, which are incurved like claws.

South-western States : gardens : cultivated. Fl. July -August. Fr. Sept. -October.

Obs. This plant — a native of the valley of the Mississippi, and the
plains of Mexico — is cultivated for its singular fruit — which, in its

FIGWORT FAMILY. 228

young state — before it before it becomes hard and woody — is used for
making pickles.

4. SB'SAMUM, L. BENNE.

Calyx 5-parted, the upper lobe smallest. Tube of corolla large, limb
plicate somewhat bilabiate ; upper lobe emarginate, lower slightly 3-fid.
Stamens 4, didynamous, with the rudiment of a fifth. Capsule oblong,
obtusely 4-angled, 4-grooved, 2-celled, 2-valved, valves recurved. Seeds
numerous. Annual herbs with the upper leaves often alternate-solitary
and axillary flowers and oily seeds.

1. S. IN'DICUM, DC. Stem erect pubescent ; leaves ovate-oblong or
lanceolate, the lower often 3-lobed ; capsule mucronate with the persis-
tent style, velvety pubescent.
INDIAN SESAMUM. Benne. Sesame.

Stem 4-5 feet high, branching. Leaves petiolcd, very variable in shape, those near the
base of the stem often 3-fid. Flowers on short peduncles, reddish white. Pods about an
inch and a half long, filled with seeds which are white, or in some varieties black on the
margin.

Native of India, cultivated.

Obs. The Benne plant being a native of India, does not perfect its
seeds in the northern States, but only succeeds in those climates in which
the cotton plant can be cultivated. It is said that the plant was intro-
duced by the negroes, who make use of the seeds as food. The seeds
contain a large quantity of oil, which is obtained by expression in the
same manner as Linseed oil ; it is bland and tasteless, and is used for the
same purposes as Olive oil, answering for cooking or for burning. The
plant is cultivated in many warm countries for the sake of the oil. The
leaves abound in mucilage which they readily impart to water ; one or
two of them stirred in a half-pint of water will render it thick and
ropy without affecting its transparency. The plant is often raised at
the north, from seeds brought from the south, for the leaves, the mu-
cilaginous drink made from them being considered serviceable in the
bowel complaints of children, though it probably possesses no advantage
over that made from the bark of the Slippery Elm, or the Sassafras
Pith. *

OKDER XLVII. SCROPHULAR'IA'CEvE. (FIGWORT FAMILY.)

Herbs, shrubs or sometimes even trees with alternate, opposite or verticillate leaves with-
out stipules, a persistent calyx of 4-5 more or less united sepals, and a more or less
irregular, bilabiate or personate corolla, with the lobes imbricated in the bud. Stamens
either 4 and didynamous — the fifth stamen sometimes appearing in the form of a sterile
filament, or very rarely autheriferoas, — or often only 2 — one pair being either suppressed
or reduced to sterile filaments. Ovary 2-celled, with the placentae united in the axis.
Capsule 2-valved. Seeds indefinite, albuminous.

An Order of nearly 150 genera, — affording many curious and rather handsome flowers
— some troublesome weeds — and a few plants of considerable medicinal powers — especial-
ly the purple Fox-glove (Digitalis purpurea, L.).
&1. Upper lip of the corolla covering the lower in the bud.
Corolla wheel-shaped 5-cleft, the lobes somewhat unequal. Stamens

5 ; a part or all of the filaments bearded. 1. VERIUSCUM.

224 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Corolla tubular with, a spur at th3 baso. Pod opening by holes. 2. LINARIA.

Corolla tubular, not spurred. Calyx lobes thick and leathery.

Stamens 4. Trees. 3. PAULOWNIA.

& 2. Lower lip or the lateral lobes covering the upper lip in the bud.
Corolla tubular, open ; the border slightly 5-lobed. Flowers in a

long raceme. 4. DIGITAIIS.

Corolla wheel-shaped, 4 parted. Stamens 2. 5. VKROXICA.

1. YERBAS'CUM, I. MULLEIN.

[Quasi Barbascum; Latin Barba, beard ; from its bearded or woolly habit.]

Calyx 5-parted. Corolla with a very short tube ; limb sub-rotate, 5-lobed
— the lobes nearly equal or the front one larger. Stamens 5, unequal,
inserted on the tube of the corolla, declinate, exserted, — the filaments
(or Some of them) bearded. Capsule ovoid or globose. Seeds numerous,
rugose-pitted. Tall and usually woolly biennial herbs, with alternate
leaves, those of the stem sessile or decurreut. Flowers in dense spikes,
or paniculate racemes.

1. V. Thap'sus, L. Stem simple, erect, tomentose ; leaves oval-lanceo-
late or oblong, very woolly on both sides, — the cauliue ones decurrent ;
flowers in a dense terminal spike ; 2 lower filaments smooth.

THAPSUS VERBASCUM. Mullein. Common Mullein.

Fr. Bouillon blanc. Germ. Das Wollkraut. Span. Gordolobo.

Whole plant pale greyish-green or hoary tomentose, — the pubescence much branched.
£fem 3 -6 feet high, rather stout, leafy, rarely branching unless injured. Radical leaves
6-12 inches long, — the cauline ones smaller. Spike cylindric, 6-12 or 15 inches long;
flowers bracteate. Corolla bright yellow. Stamens unequal, — the two lower ones longer,
with smooth filaments.

Neglected fields; road-sides, &c.: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June -July.
Fr.. August- September.

Obs. This plant, although abundant in all the older settlements, is
undoubtedly a naturalized foreigner. It is a worthless, unseemly intru-
der, in our pastures and cultivated grounds. There is no surer evidence
of a slovenly, negligent farmer, than to see his fields over-run with Mul-
leins. As the plant produces a vast number of seeds, it can only be
kept in subjection by a careful eradication while young — or at least be-
fore the fruit is mature. When neglected, the soil soon becomes so full
of seeds, that the young plants will be found springing up, in great
numbers, for a long succession of years.

2. V. Blatta'ria, L. Smoothish and green ; stem rather slender, often
branched ; leaves oblong, serrate, not decurrent ; flowers racemose ; fila-
ments all hairy.

MOTH VERBASCUM. Moth Mullein.

Stem 2-4 feet high, angular. Leaves2-5 inches long, — the lower ones potiolatc, often
sinuate pinnatifid, the upper ones sessile and clasping. Raceme 6-18 inches long, leafy or
bracteate, glandular pubescent ; pedicels % an inch to an inch in length ; jknvers either
bright yellow or white with a tinge of purple.

Pastures and road-sides. Native of Europe. June- August.

Obs. A common weed, though not so much of a nuisance as tho pre-
ceding. Besides the two species described above, a third, V. Lychni'tis,
L., or White Mullein, is found in some localities. It is a tall plant with

FIGWORT FAMILY.

225

a thin, powdery woolliness and yellow (sometimes white) flowers, in a
pyramidal panicle. It is said to hybridize or cross-breed with the com-
mon Mullein, thus producing some remarkable varieties.

2. LINA'RIA, Tournef. TOAD-FLAX.

[Latin, Linum, flax ; from the resemblance of the leaves.]

Calyx 5-parted. Corolla with the limb personate, the upper lip bifid

with the lobes folded back — the lower lip trifid, closing the throat by

its prominent palate ; tube inflated, spurred at base. Stamens 4, didyn-

amous, — usually with a minute abortive rudiment of a fifth. Capsule

ovoid or globose, mernbranaceous, 2-celled, opening below the summit

by 1-2 pores or chinks, toothed. Seeds numerous, margined. Mostly

lierbs, annual or perennial. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite or verti-

cillate. Flowers usually racemose.

1. L. vulga'ris, Mill. Stem erect, simple ;

leaves lance-linear, acute, alternate, numerous ;

flowers imbricated, in a terminal raceme ; spur

of the corolla acute, about as long as the tube.

COMMON LIXARIA. Toad-flax. Ranstead-weed«

Butter and Eggs.

Fr. Muflier linaire. Germ. Das Flachskraut.

Span. Linaria.

Plant smooth and somewhat glaucous. .Roof perennial,
creeping, subligneous. Stem 1-2 or 3 feet high, slender,
terete, leafy, sometimes branched at summit and bearing
several racemes, generally growing in bunches or small
patches. Leaves 1-2 inches long, narrow, irregularly sec-
tored on the stem, but very numerous. Flowers pedunc i-
latc, hi a di-nso bracteate raceme — the peduncles shortor
than the bracts. Corolla pale greenish-yellow, smooth, —
the palate of the lower lip bright orange color, villous in
the throat ; spur subulate, about half an inch long. Style
shorter than the longest stamens ; stigma obliquely trun-
cate. Capsule ovoid oblong, thin, smooth, longer than the
calyx. Seeds with a dilated orbicular margin, roughish-
dotted in the centre.

Pastures, fence-rows, &c.: introduced. Native of Europe.
Fl. June -September. Fr. August -October.

Obs. This is extensively naturalized, — and
has become a vile nuisance in our pastures and
upland meadows. Mr. WATSON, in his annals
of Philadelphia, says it was introduced frorfi
Wales, as a garden flower, by a Mr. RANSTEAD,
a Welsh resident of that city ; and hence one

of its common names. It inclines to form large patches, by means of
its creeping roots, — and as far as it extends, takes almost exclusive pos-

10*

FIG. 150. Toa'1-flax (Linaria vulgaris).

226 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

session of the soil. Although the flowers are somewhat showy, it is a
fetid, worthless and very objectionable weed, — the roots very tenacious
of life— and requiring much persevering effort to extirpate them. The
remarkable variety called Peloria- -with a regular 5-lobed ventricose
corolla, 5 spurs, and 5 perfect stamens — is occasionally to be observed;
Sometimes these Pelorias are tetramerous ; i. e. the corolla 4-lobed, with
4 spurs, &c. They are frequently, if not always, late flowers, — situated
at the summit of the raceme of full grown capsules, and " apparently the
latest floral developments of the plant. 'Two other European species
are sparingly introduced, but they are fortunately not sufficiently dis-
seminated to warrant their description here.

3. PAULOW'NIA, Sieb. If Zucc. PAULOWNIA.

Calyx deeply 5-cleft, divisions thick. Corolla with an elongated de-
clined tube and an oblique limb with 5 roundish divisions. Stamens 4,
ascending from a declined base, without the rudiment of a fifth. Capsule
woody, acuminate, loculicidally 2-valved. Seeds numerous, oblong, sur-
rounded by a membranaceous wing, striate. — Trees with the habit of
Catalpa ; natives o.f Japan.

1. P. IMPERIA'LIS, Sieb fy Zucc. Leaves opposite, petioled, somewhat
3-lobed or entire, broadly ovate cordate : panicle terminal large with
many-flowered opposite branches.
IMPERIAL PAULOWNIA. Paulownia.

Tree with horizontal tortuous branches. Leaves when young canescent hairy on hoth
sides, when old on the under side only, with the upper surface finely pubescent, six
inches to a foot in length, and on the young shoots even larger. Calyx divided below the
middle, the lobes oblong obtuse, externally tomentose. Corolla \% - 2 inches long, violet
or rose color, dotted and streaked with brown and yellow within. Capsule an inch in
length, 2-furrowcd, persistent.

Cultivated. Fl. April -May.

Obs. A tree of very rapid growth and having a strong resemblance to
the Catalpa. The young trees are remarkably vigorous and bear leaves
of an enormous size. It is a little too delicate for the climate of
New York, 'for three years preceding the present (1858) the flower buds
have been very generally killed by the severe winters. The capsules
remain on the tree for a very long time and injure its appearance. *

4. DIGITA'LIS, L. FOXGLOVE.

[From the Latin, Digitate, the flugor of a glove ; from the shape of the flowers.]

Calyx 5-parted. Corolla^ declined, tube ventricose above, contracted at

base, the limb oblique, upper lip emarginate, the lower 3-fid with the

middle lobe the largest. Stamens 4, didynamous. Capsule ovate, with

a septicidal dehiscence. Seeds numerous, minute, oblong, angled. Herbs

with crowded, petioled, radical leaves ; bearing showy Jiowzrs in a long

raceme.

1. D. PURPU'REA, L. Biennial ; lower leaves ovate or elliptic-oblong,

FIGWOUT FAMILY; 227

crenate, downy, on winged petioles, those of the stem alternate, some-
what decurrent ; raceme erect, one-sided, simple, of numerous drooping
crimson or purplish flowers.
PURPLE DIGITALIS. Fox-glove.

Stem 3-4 feet high, angled, leafy below and terminated by the raceme, leaves dull
greeu, prominently netted-veined ; those of the stem gradually diminishing into bracts.
Flmvers 2-2)£ inches long, within somewhat hairy and beautifully spotted with deep
purple dots surrounded by white rings, or nodding, solitary, axillary peduncles. Capmle
downy, tipped with the persistent style. Seeds pale brown, pitted.

Cultivated. Native of Europe. June -July.

Obs. Common in gardens where it is prized for its showy flowers, and
cultivated by the " Shakers" and others who raise medicinal plants for
its leaves. The common name Fox-glove is said- to be a corruption of
the old Saxon name Folk's glove. Medicinally Fox-glove is classed
with Tobacco, Lobelia and other acrid narcotics, and should only be
employed under the direction of a medical adviser as it is dangerous in
large doses. Though considerable quantities of the leaves are supplied
to the drug market by the " physic gardens " of this country, they are
considered greatly inferior to those produced by the plant growing iq
its native localities.

5. YERO'NICA, L. SPEEDWELL.

[Origin of the name obscure- ; perhaps the flower of St. Veronica.]

Calyx 4-parted. Corolla wheel-shaped or salver-shaped, the border un-
equally 4-lobed, the lateral lobes, or the lower one, usually narrower.
Stamens 2, one on each side of the upper lobe of the corolla, exserted ;
anther-cells confluent at the apex. Capsule ovoid or obcordate and com-
pressed at the apex, 2-celled, few - many-seeded.

1. V. peregri'na, L. Annual ; smooth ; lower leaves opposite peti-
oled, toothed, the upper alternate, sessile and entire ; flowers subssessile
in the axils of leaf-like bracts ; capsule orbicular, slightly notched.
FOREIGN VERONICA. Purslane Speedwell. Neckweed.

Stem 3-6 inches high, often branched a't base. Leaves half an inch to near an inch
long, fleshy. Calyx lobes resembling the small upper leaves or bracts. Corolla whitish,
small and soon falling, the lobes nearly equal.

Waste and cultivated grounds. April -June.

Obs. A very common annual weed which has every appearance of an
introduced stranger, though it is considered by most botanists as a native
plant. It is widely different throughout the whole length of our conti-
nent. It was at one time supposed to possess medicinal virtues in scrof-
ulous affections, — which acquired for it the name of <! Neckweed."
There are a number of native and introduced species belonging to this
genus, but this is the only one sufficiently common, as a weed, to be
noticed.

228 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

OEDER XLVIIL VEBBENA'CE^E. (VERVAIN FAMILY.)

(shrubs, and even trees within the tropics) , having opposite leaves without stipules,
and a tubular corolla with the limb 4-5-lobed, more or less 2-lipped and didymnmms
stamens. Ovary free, entire, 2-4-celled. Fruit dry (or sometimes drupaceous) and
splitting into 2-4 indehiscent 1-seeded nutlets. Seeds with little or no albumen.

An Order of but little importance to the farmer, — though containing a number of plants
interesting to the florist. The tree w*hich furnishes the " ever-during 2kifc" of India
(Ikctona grandis, L.) — so celebrated in ship-building — belongs to this Order.

1. VERBE'NA, L. VERVAIN.

[The Latin name for the leaves of any sacred herb ; etymology obscure.]

Calyx tubular, 5-toothed, — one of the teeth often shorter. Corolla tub-
ular, somewhat salver-form, with the limb rather unequally 5-lobed.
Stamens included, the upper pair usually without anthers. Ovary 2-4-
celled, with 1 ovule in each cell. Fruit separable into 2 - 4 nutlets.
Flowers mostly in terminal spikes, bracteate.

1. V. urticoefo'lia,^. Leaves ovate and lance-ovate, acute, serrate, pe-
tiolate ; spikes filiform, terminal and axillary, somewhat paniculate ;
flowers distant.

NETTLE-LEAVED VERBENA. Common Vervain.

Rott perennial. Stem erect, 2-3 or 4 feet high, obtusely quadrangular, hirsutely pu-
bescent, with slender axillary spreading branches above. Leaves 2 - 4 inches long, ab-
ruptly narrowed at base to a short petiole. Spikes 1 or 2-5 or 6 inches long, green, very
Blender. Flowers distinct and finally a little distant, small, sessile, with a minute bract
at base. Corolla white, — the throat closed by a delicate white villus. Fruit separating
into 4 nucules, which are oblong and triquetrous, with the outer side convex.

Pastures, road^-sides, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. July -August. Fi:
September.

06s. This is not a very pernicious or troublesome weed ; but as it is
altogether worthless, and often so abundant in pasture fields as neces-
sarily to attract the notice of the observing farmer, I thought it might
be admitted into the present work.

V. officina'lis, another introduced species with pinnatified or 3-cleft
leaves and small purplish flowers is found in some localities. The spe-
cies of this germs are remarkable for their tendency to hybridize ; several
of our native species produce hybrids spontaneously. Various crosses
and varieties of V. AUBLE'TIA, V. CHAM^EDRIFO'LIA, and other species, are
now among the most common and deservedly popular ornaments of the
flower garden. The varieties are almost innumerable and are yearly in-
creased by the florists.

ORDER XLIX. LABIA'T^E. (MINT FAMILY.)

Chiefly herbs with quadrangular stems, opposite or sometimes verticillate ltav<?s without
stipules, and jlmvers in axillary opposite cynmles or aggregated in terminal spikes, rarely-
solitary. Corolla more or loss bilabiate. Stamens 4, didynamous, or sometimes 2 ; an-
tlier-cdls parallel, or often divaricate, — sometimes separated by a long filiform connective'.
Ovary deeply 4-lobed, becoming, in fruit, 4 little seed-like nutlets, surrounding the base of
the style, in the bottom of the persistent calyx ; each lobe, or nutlet, containing a single
se&l with littb or no albumen. Foliage containing receptacles of aromatic oil.

MINT FAMILY. 229

A highly interesting and valuable Order, containing upwards of 190 genera, and par-
ticularly remarkable for the aromatic fragrance, and stomachic properties, of many of
the species. The most important, however, — being generally cultivated, — are here in-
serted.

* Stamens 4, the lower pair longer, declined so as to rest on the lower lip of the corolla.
Flowers in racemes, white ; upper lobe of calyx broad, orbicular-
ovate. Leaves ovate. 1. OCIJIUM.
Flowers in terminal peduncled spikes, pale blue ; calyx 5-toothed ;

leaves narrow, hoary. 2. LAVANDULA.

** Stamens 4 or 2, not turned down.

Corolla almost Equally 4-lobed. Stamens 4, nearly equal. 3. MENTHA.

Corolla manifestly 2-lipped. Stamens 2, or only 2 with anthers.

Upper lip nearly flat or spreading, 2-lobed at the end. Throat of

calyx bearded. Sterile filaments 2. 4. HEDEOMA.

Upper lip arched, entire or slightly notched, holding the stamens.
Calyx equally 5-toothed. Flowers in close and leafy-bracted

heads. 5. MONARDA.

Calyx 2-lipped. Anthers with one cell at the end of a long

connective astride the end of the filament. 6. SALVIA.

Corolla 2-lipped. Stamens 4, all with anthers.

Upper and inner pair of stamens longer than the lower or outer

pair ; all ascending under the upper lip. 7. NEPETA.

Upper and inner pair of stamens shorter than the lower pair.
Upper lip of the corolla flat and open, or barely concave.
Stamens distant or diverging, not approaching the upper
lip.

Calyx tubular, equally 5-toothed, 15-nerved. Sta-
mens long. 8. HYSSOPUS.
Calyx 10-13-nerved, ovate, bell-shaped or short-
tubular.
Calyx naked in the throat. Flowers clustered in

the axils or spiked. 9. SATUREJA.

Calyx hairy in the throat.

Flowers spiked, and with large colored bracts. 10. ORIGANUM.
Flowers loosely clustered ; bracts minute. 11. THYMUS.
Stamens with their anthers approaching in pairs under
the upper lip.
Calyx tubular, bell-shaped and 2-lipped. Corolla

curved upwards. Flowers few in loose clusters. 12. MELISSA.
Upper lip of the corolla arched or hood-like.

Calyx 2-lippcd, closed over the fruit and very veiny ; the

lips toothed. 13. BRUXELLA.

Calyx not 2-lipped, 10-toothed. Clusters axillary, head-
like. 14. MARRUBIUM.
Calyx not 2-lipped and only 5-toothed, bell-shaped or top-
shaped, much shorter than the corolla.

Corolla enlarged in the throat. Calyx-teeth not spiny. 15. LAMIUM.
Corolla not enlarged in the throat. Calyx top-shaped

with spiny teeth. 16. LEONTURUS.

*** Stamons 4, ascending, and projecting from the upper side of the

corolla.

Corolla cleft down the upper Bide, the lower lobe much larger than the
other 4. Flowers purplish, rarely white, in a spike ; akenes veiny. 17. TEUCRIUM.

1. O'CIMUM, L. SWEET-BASIL.

[Supposed from the Greek, Ozo, to smell-; in reference to its fragrance.]

Calyx 5-cleft, — the upper segment dilated, orbicular-ovate. Corolla with
the upper lip 4-cleft, — the lower lip scarcely longer, declined, entire, flat-
tish. Stamens 4, declinate, the lower pair longer, — the upper filaments
often toothed at base. Nutlets ovoid, often minutely punctate. Flow-
ers in terminal interrupted racemes.

230 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. 0. BASIL'ICUM, L. Leaves ovate-oblong, subdentate, smooth, with
ciliate petioles ; calyx reflexed after flowering.

KOYAL OCIMUM. Sweet Basil.

Fr. Basilic. Germ. Gemeines Basilienkraut. Span. Albahaca.

Root annual. Stem, 6-12 inches high, often much branched, smoothish at base, pubes-
cent above with short reflexed hairs. Leaves half an inch to an inch long ; petioles one-
third to two-thirds of an inch long. Bracts ovate, acuminate, petiolate, ciliate. Calyx in-
flated-campanulate. Corolla whitish or bluish-white.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of India. Fl. July. Fr. September.

06s. This fragrant little plant is one of the numerous kitchen-garden
herbs, usually cultivated for culinary purposes.

2. LAVAN'DULA, L. LAVENDER.

[Latin, lavare, to wash, — the distilled water being used for that purpose.]

Calyx tubular, ovoid-cylindric, ribbed, with 5 short teeth, the upper one
sometimes dilated and produced at apex. Corolla with the upper lip 2-
lotied, and the lower one 3-lobed ; lobes all nearly equal, spreading.
Stamens 4, included ; filaments smooth, not toothed. Akenes smooth
and even, adnate to 4 fleshy scales on the margin of the disk. Peren-
nial herbs, or suffruticose plants, — the stems leafy near the base, but often
naked below the spike. Flowers in terminal spikes.
1. L. VE'KA, DC. Leaves hoary, lance-linear, entire, revolute on the
margin ; spikes interrupted.
TRUE LAVANDULA. Lavender. Garden Lavender.
Fr. La Lavande. Germ. Der Lavandel. Span. Espliego.

Plant clothed with a short hoary tomentum. Stem suffruticosc, branching from the
base ; branches erect, 12-28 inches high. Leaves 1-2 inches long, crowded near the base
of the branches, — often with fascicles of young leaves in the axils. Flowers in a terminal
imbricated spike about an inch in length, with 1-2 distant cymules below. Corolla blue,
pubescent, nearly twice as long as the calyx.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Southern Europe and shores of the Mediterranean.
Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. The compound tincture of the flowers of this herb (or, as the
good ladies term it, " Lavender Compound" — ) is deservedly popular, for
its cordial and stomachic properties. The distilled water is also highly
esteemed for its pungent and grateful fragrance. The dried flowers are
, used to fill scent bags to lay in drawers with linen, and the oil distilled
from them is much used in the manufacture of perfumery.

3. MEN'THA, L, MINT,

[From Minthe, a nymph ; fabled to have been changed into this plant.]

Calyx campanulate or tubular, 5-toothed, equal or nearly so. Corolla
with a short included tube ; the border nearly equally 4-cleft, — the up-
per lobe broader and usually emarginate. Stamens 4, nearly equal, erect,
distant ; filaments glabrous, naked ; anthers with 2 parallel cells. PC-

MINT FAMILY. 231

rennicds, with spreading root-stocks and cymules (in the species mentioned
here) in terminal spikes.

1. Mi vir'idis, L. Stem erect ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, subsessile ;
spikes terete, slender, elongated, tapering at summit, — the cymules
mostly distant.

GKEEX MENTHA. Spear-niint. Common Mint.

Fr. Baume verte. Germ. Die Spitzmuenze.. Span. Men'ta puntiaguda.

Plant smoothish and rather pale green. Stem 1-2 feet high, branching. Leaves 1 - 2 or
3 inches long, very acute, incised serrate. Spikes of cymules, often numerous, 2-4 inches
long. Corolla pale purple.

Moist grounds, waste places, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July -August.
Fr. September.

Obs. This pleasantly aromatic herb has been so generally introduced
into all the older settlemsnts of this country, that it is now very exten-
sively naturalized. It is deservedly popular as a domestic medicine, in
relieving nausea, &c., and it is the species employed in preparing that
most seductive beverage, known as " Mint Julep."'

2. M. piperi'ta, L. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, petiolate ; spikes cylindric,
rather short, obtuse, — the cymules loosely approximated.

PEPPERY MENTHA. Pepper-mint.

Fr. La Men the. Germ. Pfeffer-muenze. Span. Menta piperita.

Plant smoothish and purplish. Stem 1-2 feet long, branching. Leaves 1-2 inches
long, more or less ovate and rounded at base, dark green, on petioles one-fourth to balf an
inch in length, rather acute, serrate. Spikes of cymules half an inch to an inch or more
in length, terminal, solitary, — the cymules crowded, — except the lower pair which are
often a little distant. Corolla purple, larger than in the preceding species.

Moist low grounds, gardens, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. August. Fr.
Sept, -October.

Obs. This most grateful aromatic is generally allowed a place in gar-
dens, or about houses, — and is apparently naturalized in many localities.
The essential, oil, and distilled water, are well known for their stomachic
properties, and deservedly held in high esteem.

The plant is largely cultivated, especially in the State of New- York,
for the manufacture of the Oil of Peppermint, of which great quantities
are consumed by confectioners in flavoring candies, lozenges, &c., and by
druggists and liquor-dealers in preparing essences, cordials and the like.
Essence of Peppermint, a popular aromatic remedy for pains in the
stomach, &c., is a solution of the oil in alcohol, of a strength corres-
ponding to the price at which it is sold. Besides the species mentioned,
there i? another foreign one sparingly naturalized around old settlements
in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the Corn-mint, (M. arven'sis, L.J which has
axillary cymules, and the stem hairy downwards ; its odor is remarkable,
and has been compared to that of decaying cheese. A native species,
M, Canaden'sis, L., is common in wet grounds ; it has an odor much
like that of Pennyroyal.

232 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

4. HEDEO'MA, Pers. PENNYROYAL.

[Greek, Hedeia Osme, a pleasant odor ; from its fragrance.]

Calyx ovoid-tubular, gibbous on the under side near the base, 13-nerved,
bilabiate, — the upper lip 3-toothed — lower one bifid ; throat villous.
Corolla bilabiate, — the upper lip erect, flat— lower lip spreading, 3-lobed,
lobes nearly equal. Stamens 2, ascending, the two upper entirely want-
ing,— or rudimentary and sterile. Herbs with small leaves arid loose ax-
illary clusters of flowers, often forming terminal leafy racemes.
1. H. PULEGIOI'DES, Pers. Leaves lance-ovate, rather obtuse, subserrate,
narrowed at base, petiolate ; cj mules about 3-flowered.
PULEGIUM-LIKE HEDEOMA. American-Pennyroyal.

Rod annual. Stem 6-12 inches high, hoary-pubescent, branched. Leaves half an inch
to an inch long, slightly pubescent, narrowed at base to a pubescent petiole one-Qighth to
half an inch in length, — the floral leaves resembling the cauline ones. Cymules usually
3-flowered ; bracteoles linear-lanceolate, scarcely as long as the pedicels. Corolla, pale
blue, with purple spots. Stamens scarcely exsertecl, a'scendirig, the anthers approximated
under the upper lip, — the upper pair of stamens reduced to mere abortive rudiments.

Slaty soils, old fields, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. July -August. Fr.
September.

Obs. A. warmly aromatic little herb, — in general use as a popular dia-
phoretic, carminative, &c., and therefore entitled to a description by
which it may be certainly recognized. This is not the " Pennyroyal" of
Europe ; but has been so called because of its resemblance to that
plant, — which is a species of Mint — viz., the Mentha Pulegium, L.

5. MONAR'DA, L. HORSE-MINT.

[De '.icated to Nicholas Monardez, a Spanish Botanist.]

Calyx tubular, elongated, 15-nerved, nearly equally 5-toothed ; throat
usually hairy. Corolla with a slightly expanded throat, and a strong-
ly 2-lipped limb ; upper lip entire, or slightly notched, erect, embracing
the filaments ; lower lip spreading, 3-lobed, the middle lobe narrowest
and slightly notched. Stamens 2, elongated, ascending, inserted in the
throat of the corolla ; ant/ters linear, the divaricate cells confluent at
the junction. Flowers large in a few whorled heads closely surrounded
with bracts.

1. M. did'yma, L. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, mostly rounded
or somewhat heart-shaped at base, the floral ones and Jarge exterior
bracts purplish ; calyx s,mooth, incurved, nearly naked in the throat ;
corolla smooth, much elongated, bright' red ; stamens exserted beyond
the acute upper lip of the corolla.
Oswego Tea. Bee Balm.

Root perennial. Stem 1-2 feet high, 4-angled, branching, somewhat hairy. Leaves 3-
5 inches long and 1-2 inches wide, somewhat hairy on both sides, especially on the veins
below ; petioles half an inch long. Flotvers in 1-2 (rarely 3) whorls ; corolla an inch and
a half long.

New England , West and South. July - August.

MINT FAMILY. 233

Obs. A very showy plant, often found in fertile soil along streams,
and very common in gardens.

2. M. puncta'ta, L. Leaves lanceolate, narrowed at base ; bracts lan-
ceolate, obtuse at base, yellowish and purple ; calyx pubescent, with
short rigid teeth ; corolla nearly smooth, yellowish, the upper lip spot-
ted ; stamens not exceeding the upper lip of the corolla.

Horse-mint.

Root perennial or biennial? Stem 2-3 feet high, obtusely 4-angled, whitish downy.
Flowers in several whorls ; calyx somewhat curved with a short beard in the throat.
Sandy fields New York and Southward. August - September.

06s. This very odorous and pungent plant abounds in a volatile oil,
and possesses stimulant qualities which give it a place among the do-
mestic remedies, it being used in cholics, &c. The oil which the plant
affords by distillation is one of the most powerful of its class, and is
used as an external application in rheumatism, &c. It should be used
with caution, as it in some persons blisters the skin. In some parts of
the South the plant is incorrectly called " Origanum," which has been
corrupted into " Bignum." *

6. SAL'VIA, L. SAGE.

[Latin, salvare, to save ; on account of supposed medicinal virtues.]

Calyx subcampanulate, bilabiate, — the upper lip mostly 3-toothed — the
lower one bifid ; throat naked. Corolla ringent, — the upper lip erect,
straight, or falcate. Stamens 2 ; anthers halved, — the cells separated by
the long linear connective, which is transversely articulated with the fila-
ment. Flowers mostly large and showy, in spiked racemed or panicled
whorls.

1. S. OFFIOINA'LIS, L. Stem shrubby at base, leafy, hoary-tomentose ;
leaves lance-oblong, crermlate, rugose ; upper lip of the corolla as long
as the lower one, somewhat vaulted. (See figs. 152 and 153.)
OFFICINAL SALVIA. Sage. Garden Sage.
Fr. La Sauge. Germ. Die Salbei. Span. Salvia.

Root perennial. Stems 1-2 feet high, growing in bunches, branching from the base.
Leaves 1-2 or 3 inches long, rather obtuse, sometimes lobcd near the base, clothed with
a short pubescence, greyish green, — the upper or floral leaves sessile — the others on
petioles about an inch long. Cymules 5-10-ilowered, in interrupted terminal racemes.
Corolla mostly violet-purple.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Southern Europe. Fl. May -June. Fr. July- August.

Obs. Generally cultivated in kitchen gardens, for culinary purposes.
The infusion makes a good gargle, and is otherwise moderately medicinal.
The plant would seem to have been once considered as a kind of pan-
acea, if we may judge from the following monkish lines :

<( Cur moriatur homo cui Falrict, crescit in horto ?
Contra.vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis.
Salvia salvatrix, Naturae conciliatrix.
Salvia cum Ruta faciunt tibi pocula tuta."

234 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

•

There is now, however, but little confidence placed in the virtues thus
imputed or implied ; and in these temperance times, the doctrine of the
concluding line would be denounced as rank heresy, — even though the
charm be fortified " with Hue," — that " herb of grace o' Sundays," as
SHAKSPEARE terms it — which is here appropriately enough associated
with an indulgence in cups ! We often find, on dry sterile meadow
banks, a native species of this genus (S. lyra'ta, L.), which is a mere
weed, but scarcely of sufficient importance to require a description here.
Several tropical species are cultivated in gardens and green-houses ;
some of which have the calyx, as well as the corolla, highly colored,
and are very showy.

7. NE'PETA, L. CATNIP.

[Supposed to be named from Nepete, — a town in Italy.]

Calyx tubular, sometimes ovoid, about 15-nerved, obliquely 5-toothed.
Corolla bilabiate, — the upper lip erect, somewhat concave, emarginate
or bifid — the lower lip spreading, 3-lobed, middle lobe largest ; throat
dilated. Stamens 4, ascending, — the lower pair shorter ; anthers mostly
approximated in pairs, 2-celled ; cells diverging, finally divaricate. Pe-
rennial herbs.

1. N. Cata'ria, L. Hoary-pubescent ; stem erect, tall ; leaves oblong-
cordate, acute, coarsely crenate-serrate, upper floral ones small and
bract-like ; cymules densely many-flowered, the upper ones crowded in a
spike — the lower ones distant ; calyx ovoid-tubular ; corolla one half
longer than the calyx.

CAT NEPETA. Cat-mint. Catnip.

Fr. Herbe aux Chats. Germ. Die Katzen muenze. Span. Gatera.

Stem 2-3 feet high, mostly several from the same root, somewhat branched. Leaves
2-3 or 4 inches long, green above ; canescent beneath ; petioles half an inch to an inch
and a half in length. Cymules on short common peduncles, in interrupted terminal
spikes ; bracteoles lance linear, a little longer than the pedicels. Corolla ochroleucous, with
a reddish tinge and purple dots, pubescent ; upper lip emargiuately bifid, the lower one
crenate dentate, villous at base.

Fence-rows, fields, and waste places: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June -Aug.
Fr. July -September.

Obs. This foreigner is so extensively naturalized as to be a rather
troublesome weed. The dried herb, in infusion, is a highly popular
medicine among the good ladies who deal in simples, — and "is probably
often useful. But, as a weed on the farm, it is objectionable, and, when
permitted to multiply, gives to the premises a very slovenly appearance.

2. N. Glecho'ma, Be.nth. Stem procumbent, radicating at base ; leaves
cordate-reniform, rounded, crenate, all alike ; cymules few-flowered,—
all distant, axillary ; calyx tubular ; corolla nearly three times as long
as the calyx.

Ground Ivy. Ale-hoof. Gill.

IT. Lierre terrestre. Germ. Die Gundelrebe. Span. Yedra terrestre.

MINT FAMILY. 235

Stem 6-18 inches long, slender and prostrate, — the flowering branches erect or ascend-
ing, 4-8 or 10 inches high, retrorsely pubescent. Leaves three-fourths of an inch to an
inch and a half long, and rather wider than long ; petioles 1 -3 inches long. Cymules all dis-
tant ; bradeoles minute, subulate and ciliate. Corolla blue or purplish-blue (rarely white),
pilose — the upper lip bifid. Anthers approximated in pairs, — the cells diverging and
presenting the figure of a cross ..

Fence-rows and moist shaded places : introduced. Native of Europe and Northern
Asia. Fl. May -June. Fr. July.

Obs. Naturalized about many settlements, and being a mere weed, is
often inconveniently abundant. The herb was employed in England to
clarify and give a flavor to ale (whence one of its common names), until
the reign of Henry YIIL, at which period hops were substituted. The
infusion of the herb is a popular medicine, — like that of the preceding
species.

8. HYSSO'PUS, L. HYSSOP.

[Latinized from Ezob, — an ancient Hebrew name.]

Calyx tubular, 15-nerved, equally 5-toothed ; throat naked. Corolla bi-
labiate,— the upper lip erect, flat, emarginate — the lower lip spreading,
3-lobed, middle lobe larger, bifid. Stamens 4, exserted, diverging, the
lower pair longer ; anthers 2-celled, — the cells linear, divaricate.
1. H. OFFICINA'LIS, L. Leaves linear-lanceolate, rather acute, entire,
sessile ; cymules secund, racemose, — the upper ones approximate.
OFFICINAL HYSSOPUS. Hyssop. Garden Hyssop.
Fr. Hysope. Germ. Der Isop. Span. Hisopo.

Root perennial. Stem 18 inches to 2 or 3 feet high-, subterete, shrubby at base and much
branched. Leaves three-fourths of an inch to an inch and a half long. Cymules rather
crowded in a one-sided terminal raceme or spike, with a few distant ones below. Corolla
bright blue, or sometimes purplish.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Southern Europe and Asia. Fl. July -Aug. Fr. Sept.

Obs. Cultivated as a medicinal herb. The infusion has long been a
popular febrifuge. The Dittany (Cunila Maria'na, L.) — which belongs
to this tribe — is also a well-known article in the popular Materia Med-
ica ; but as it grows wild, and is usually confined to dry hilly woodlands,
it is scarcely entitled to a place among agricultural plants.

9. SATUEE'JA, L. SUMMER SAVORY.

[The ancient Latin name.]

Calyx tubular-campanulate, 10-nerved, deeply ^ and nearly equally 5-
toothed, or obscurely bilabiate ; throat naked* or nearly so. Corolla
bilabiate. — the upper lip erect, flat — the lower one spreading, 3-lobed,
lobes nearly equal. Stamens 5, diverging, Hertis with small entire
leaves, often fasciculate in the axils, and somewhat spiked, purplish
flowers.

1. S. HORTEN'SIS, L. Stem erect, much branched, pubescent ; leaves
oblong-linear, acute ; cymules axillary, pedunculate, few-flowered, some-
what secund, remote or the upper ones somewhat spiked.

236 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

GARDEN SATUREJA. Summer Savory.

Fr. La Sarriette. Germ. Die Saturey. Span. Ajedrea.

Root annual. Stem 6-12 inches high, obscurely 4-angled, branched so as to appear
bushy, roughish-pubescent, mostly dark purple. Leaves half an inch to an inch long,
narrowed at base to a very short petiole. Cymules about 3 flowered — the upper ones
Crowded into a leafy spike. Corolla pale violet-purple, somewhat pubescent, scarcely
longer than the hispid-ciliate calyx-teeth.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Southern Europe. FL July -August. Fr. September.

Obs. Cultivated as a culinary herb.

10. OBI'GANUM, L. MARJORAM.

[Greek, Oros, a mountain, and Ganos, delight ; in allusion to its native locality.]

Calyx ovoid bell-shaped, hairy in the throat, 5-toothed or bilabiate with
the upper lip entire or 3-toothed, the lower lip 2-toothed, truncate or
wanting. Corolla 2-lipped ; upper lip emarginate ; lower lip longer, 3-
lobed and spreading. Stamens 4, exserted, diverging. Annuals or peren-
nials with nearly entire leaves and flowers in dense corymbose clusters or
oblong spikes, imbricated with colored bracts.

1. 0. MARJORA'NA, L. Somewhat branched ; leaves elliptic-obovate,
downy and canescent on both sides ; spikelets oblong, clustered at the
ends of the branches.
Sweet Marjoram.
Fr. La Mprjolaine. Germ. Der Majoran. Span. Majorana.

Root annual. Stem 9-18 inches high, subterete. Leaves one third of an inch to an inch
long, varying from ovate to obovate and spatulate. Spilcelets one fourth to half an inch
long, obtusely 4-cornered, hoary-pubescent, in sessile terminal clusters of threes, or on
short axillary branches ; bracts very obtuse or rounded, ciliate-pubescent, quadrifariously
and densely imbricated, the margins at base involute. Calyx with the upper lip free,
like a distinct sepal, dilated, obtuse, ciliate-pilose and mostly 3-toothed at apex, narrowed
below with the margins folded in, the lower lip or division ovate, smooth, very small.
Corolla white or tinged with purple.

Gardens: cultivated. Native of Africa and Asia. Fl. July - Aug. Fr. September.

Obs. One of the fragrant culinary herbs, generally cultivated.
11. THY'MUS, L. THYME.

[The ancient Greek name ; from Thyo, to burn perfume.]

Calyx ovoid-tubular, 10 -13 nerved, bilabiate, — the upper lip trifid —
the lower one bifid ; throat villous. Corolla with the upper lip erect,
nearly flat, emarginate, — the lower lip spreading, 3-lobed, middle lobe
longer. Stamens 4, exserted, diverging. Humble shrubby or suffruticoae
perennials, with small and entire strongly veined leaves and purplish or
whitish flowers.

1. T. VULGA'RIS, L. Stems erect or procumbent at base ; leaves oblong-
ovate or lance-ovate, revolute on the margin ; cymules in terminal inter-
rupted leafy spikes.
COMMON THYMUS. Garden Thyme. Standing Thyme.

MINT FAMILY. 237

Fr. Serpolet. Germ. Der Thymian. Span. Tomillo.

Stems 4-6 inches high, numerous, slender, rather erect, much branched and matted
together at hase, suffruticose, clothed with a short cinereous pubescence. Leaves ono
fourth to half an inch long, abruptly narrowed to a petiole, punctate, slightly pubescent
beneath, fasciculate in the axils by reason of abortive branches. Calyx hirsute, strongly
ribbed, punctate ; segments of the lower lip subulate, pectinately ciliate. Corolla pale
purple.

Gardens: cultivated. Native of Southern Europe. Fl. June - August. Fr. August-
September.

Obs. A favorite condiment in culinary processes, — and generally cul-
tivated in kitchen gardens. The creeping Thyme (T. Serpyl'lum, L.) —
a species nearly allied in properties and appearance — is naturalized in
many places.

12. MELIS'SA, L. BALM.

[Greek, Melissa, the honey-bee ; the flowers being a favorite of that insect.]

Calyx tubular, 13-nerved, bilabiate, — the, upper lip mostly spreading, 3-
toothed — the lower one bifid. Corolla bilabiate, with a recurved ascend-
ing tube, dilated above. Stamens 4, conniving under the upper lip ; anthers
2-celled ; cells distinct, parallel, finely diverging. Perennial herbs with
loosely few-flowered, one-sided cymules in the axes of leaf-like bracts.
1. M. OFFICINA'LIS, L. Stem erect, branching ; leaves ovate, coarsely
crenate-serrate, petiolate.

OFFICINAL MELISSA. Balm. Common Balm.

Fr. La Melisse. Germ. Die Melisse. Span. Melisa.

Stem 1 -2 or 3 feet high, more or less pubescent. Leaves 2-3 or 4 inches long ; petioles
half an inch to an inch and a half in length — the floral leaves resembling the cauline, but
usually somewhat cuneate at base. Cymules 3-6-flowered on a short common peduncle.
Calyx dry, hairy. Corolla white or ochroleucous', sometimes slightly tinged with purple.

Cultivated. Native of Southern Europe and Asia. Fl. July - August. Fr. September.

Obs. Commonly cultivated in gardens, and has become sparingly nat-
uralized in some places. An infusion of the herb, or " Balm Tea," is a
popular domestic medicine, and it is probably as efficacious as any other
harmless warm drink in producing perspiration.

13. BRUNEL'LA, Tournef. SELF-HEAL.

[German, Die Braeune, the quinsy ; said to be cured by it.]

Calyx tubular-campanulate, about 10-nerved, reticulately veined, bilab-
iate,— the upper lip flat, dilated, truncate, with 3 short-teeth — the lower
lip bifid, segments lanceolate. Corolla with the upper lip erect, vaulted,
entire — the lower lip depending, 3-lobed, middle lobe rounded, concave,
crenulate ; tube a little contracted at throat, inflated below it on the
under side, with an anmd-us, or little ring o£ short hairs or scales, near
the base within. Filaments 2-toothed at the apex, the lower tooth bear-
ing the anther. Perennials with few-flowered cymules clustered in im-
bricated spikes or heads.

238 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

] . B. vulga'ris, L. Leaves ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, cfenate
dentate or obsoletely serrate, sometimes pinnatifidly incised, petiolate.
COMMON BRUNELLA. Heal-all. Self-heal.
Fr. Brunelle ordinaire. Germ. Gemeiue Brunelle. Span. Brunela.

Stem 8 - 12 or 15 inches high, erect or ascending, somewhat branched, especially at base.
Leaves 1 -3 inches long ; petioles half an inch.- 2 inches long (those of the radical or lower
leaves often 3-4 inches long); the floral-leaves bract-like, orbicular-cordate, sessile, with a
short abrupt acumination, the lower ones conspicuously acuminate. Cymules S-flowcred,
crowded into compact imbricated oblong terminal spikes. Bracteoles none. Corolla violet-
purple (rarely pale purple or nearly white) , smoothish.

Fields, road-sides, open woodlands, &c.: introduced. Native of the old world. Fl. July -
September. Fr. August -November.

Obs. This plant appears to be distributed over the four quarters of
the globe ; but I should judge it not to be a native, here. Although
not a pernicious weed, it is so common, on our farms, that it seemed
proper to notice it in this work. Its ancient reputation for healing
wounds — like that of many other such medicaments of the olden times —
is now. quite obsolete. The famous Mad-dog Scull-cap (Squtella'ria
lateriflo'ra, L.) — which once figured in the Gazettes as a specific for
Hydrophobia — belongs to this tribe, — and is frequent in wet meadows.

14. MARRU'BIUM, L. HOAEHOUND.

[Said to be derived from the Hebrew, Marrob ; meaning a bitter juice.]

Calyx tubular, 5-10-nerved, nearly equally 5- 10-toothed, — the teeth
more or less spiny-pointed, finally spreading. Corolla with the upper
lip erect, flattish or concave, somewhat bifid — lower lip spreading, 3-
lobed, middle lobe broader ; tube included in the calyx. Stamens in-
cluded ; anthers 2-celled, — the cells divaricate. Akenes obtuse at summit,
but not truncate. Hoary-tomentose perennials with rugose leaves and
many-flowered axillary cymules.

1. M. vulga're, L. Stems ascending ; leaves roundish-ovate or oval,
crenate-dentate, softly villous and canescent beneath ; calyx with 10
subulate recurved teeth. «
COMMON MARRUBIUM. Hoarhound.
Fr. Marrub blanc. Germ. Der weisse, Andorn. Span. Marrubio.

Stems 9-18 inches high, caespitose or branching from the base. Leaves about 2 inches
long, abruptly narrowed at base to a flat nerved woolly petiole half an inch to an inch long.
Cymules dense, sessile in the rather distant axils ; bradeoles subulate. Corolla white,
small.

Stony banks apd waste places : introduced. Native of Europe and middle Asia. FL
July -August. Fr. September.

Obs. This has been introduced as a medicinal herb, — and is partially
naturalized in many places.- It has a weed-like appearance, but does not
incline to spread much, — and may well be tolerated to some extent, for
its valuable tonic properties. The Syrups and Candies, prepared from
or with it, are excellent pectoral medicines.

MINT FA3IILY.

239

15. LA'MIUM, L. DEAD-NETTLE.

[Greek, Laimos, the throat ; from its gaping flowers.]

Calyx tubular-campanulate, about 5-nerved ; teeth 5, nearly equal, subu-
late at apex. Corolla dilated at the throat, — the upper lip ovate or ob-
long, arched,- mostly narrowed at base ; lower lip with the middle or
lower lobe broad, emarginate, contracted at base and substipitate ; the
lateral ones small at the margin of the throat. Stamens 4, ascending
under the upper lip ; anthers approximated in pairs, 2-celled ; cells finally
divaricate. Akenes triquetrous with the angles acute truncate at sum-
mit, smooth, or minutely rugose-tuberculate.
1. L. amplexicau le, L. Leaves
rounded, crenately incised, — the
lower ones petiolate — the floral
ones sessile, amplexicaul ; tube
of the corolla naked within, the
lateral lobes not toothed; an-
thers hirsute.

STEM-CLASPING LAMIUM. — Dead
Nettle. Hen-bit.
Fr. Le Lamier. Germ. Die
Taube-nessel. Span. Ortiga
muerta.

Root annual. Stems several, or much
branched from the base, decumbent
or ascending, 6-12 inches high,
mostly purplish. Leaves half an inch to
three quarters in length, and mostly
wider than long, the lower or eauline
ones on 'petioles half an inch to an inch
long. Cymule densely many-flowered,
axillary, the lower ones distant, the
upper ones rather approximated. Calyx
sessile, hirsute. Corolla bright purple,
pubescent, the galeate upper lip nearly
entire, clothed with a purple villas ;
lower lip opcordate ; throat dilated,
laterally compressed ; tube slender,
much exserted. The corolla, in the
lower cymules, is often minute or
wanting.

151

152

Gardens and cultivated lots : introduced. Native of Europe and Northern Africa. Fl.
April - May. Fr. June.

Obs. This worthless little weed is abundantly naturalized in and about
our gardens in Pennsylvania, — and requires some attention to keep it in

Fiff. 151. A flower of the Garden Sage (Pal via ofllcinalis). 152. The same with the
corolla removed and the calyx divided to show the pistil and 4-lobed ovary. 153. The
Purple Lamium (Lamium amplexicaule).

240 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

due subjection. Another species (L. purpu'reum, L.] has also been intro-
duced in some localities ; but it does not appear to multiply so rapidly.

16. LEONU'KUS, L. MOTHERWORT.

[Greek, Leon, a lion, and Oura, a tail ; from some fancied resemblance.]

Calyx turbinate, 5 -10- nerved, — the limb truncate, 5-toothed ; teeth
subulate, subspinescent, finally spreading. Corolla bilabiate, — the upper
lip oblong, entire, flattish or somewhat arched — lower lip spreading, 3-
lobed, — the lateral lobes oblong — the middle one entire or sometimes ob-
cordate. Stamens 4, ascending under the upper lip ; anthers approximat-
ed in pairs, 2-celled, the valves naked. Akenes triquetrous, truncate at
summit, smooth. Mostly perennial herbs with cut-lobed leaves and close
whorls of flowers in their axils.

1. L. Cardia'ca, L. Lower stem-leaves palmate-lobed, the upper ones
cuneate-oblong, mostly trifid, with a lengthened narrow base, — the lobes
of all the leaves ovate or lanceolate ; corolla longer than the calyx- teeth ;
the tube with a villous ring within at base ; upper lip flattish, hirsutely
villous ; lower lip spreading, the middle lobe entire.

CARDIAC LEONURUS. Mother wort.

Fr. L'Agripaume. Germ. Das Herzgespann. Span. Agripalma.

Root perennial Stem 2-4 feet high, branched at base and above, retrorsely pubescent,
with a hairy ring at the joints or nodes. Leaves 2-4 inches long, rugose, the lower ones
nearly orbicular in the outline ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Cymules 3-6 or 8-flowered,
sessile, distant, forming an interrupted leafy spike 6-12 or 15 inches in length ; bracteoles
subulate, smooth. Calyx strongly 5-ribbed, smoothish ; teeth acuminate, pungent, the
lower ones rather longer. Corolla pale purple, externally very villous, especially on the
upper lip. Akenes hirsute at summit.

Fence rows and waste places : introduced. Native of Europe and Asia. Fl. June.-
July. Fr. August.

Obs. This foreigner is completely naturalized, and is apt to occupy all
neglected nooks and waste places about farm-yards and along field-sides.
It is an utterly worthless weed — unsightly and disagreeable, — and speed-
ily gives a forlorn appearance to the premises of the slothful and sloven-
ly farmer. There is another Species (L. marrubias'trum, L.) which has
become partially naturalized in some districts ; but it does not threaten
to become so prevalent and troublesome,

17. TEU'CRIUM, L. GERMANDER.

[Named from Teucer, a Trojan prince, who, it is said, first used the plant.]

Calyx tubnlar-campanulate, nearly equally 5-toothed. Corolla with the
tube short, — the 4 upper lobes of the limb nearly equal, oblong and de-
clined, or very short and rather erect, — the lowest lobe largest, oblong or
rounded, mostly concave. Stamens 4, exserted from the cleft between
the upper lobes of the corolla ; anthers with the cells confluent. Cijmules
few-flowered in a terminal rather crowded greyish-green spike.

13OKAGE FAMILY. 241

1. T. Canaden'se, L. Herbaceous, erect, hoary-pubescent ; leaves
ovate-lanceolate, acute, serrate, rounded at base, on short petioles.
CANADIAN TEUCRIUM. Wood Sage. Germander.

Root perennial. Stem 1-2 or 3 feet high, simple or sparingly branched, square with
the sides, concave and the angles obtuse, clothed with a retrorse cinereous pubescence.
Leaves 3-5 inches long, on petioles one fourth to three fourths of an inch in length. Cymules
2-3-llowered, mostly crowded, sometimes a little distant, in a spike 2-5 or 6 inches in
length (often an opposite pair of racemes from the axils of the first leaves beneath) . Co-
rolla pale purple, minutely pubescent ; limb declinate, with a central fissure on the upper
side — the upper or lateral lobes erect, acute, the middle or lowest lobe oblong or obovate,
concave. Style longer than the stamens, curved, equally bifid at summit.

Fence rows and low shaded grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. July. Fr.
August - September.

06s. This plant is frequently to be seen in low grounds, along streams,
and sometimes along fence-rows and borders of fields ; but it has not be-
come generally known as an intrusive weed. An observing farmer, how-
ever, has recently brought to me some specimens of it collected in his
fields, — where, he assured me, he found it a very troublesome weed— and
moreover, exceedingly difficult to extirpate. I have, therefore, deemed
it proper to describe the plant, and commend it to further notice, — so
that its true character may be certainly determined, before its inroads
become extensive. Since the above remark was written (1846), the plant
has become very troublesome on some farms in Pennsylvania.

OEDER L. BORRAGINA'CE^. (BORAGE FAMILY.)

Mostly rough hairy herbs with round stems, alternate simple leaves without stipules and
flowers in often 1-sided clusters or racemes which are spiral (circinate) before expansion.
Calyx 5-parted. Corolla mostly regular ; the limb 5-toothed, with 5 stamens inserted on its
tube. Ovary deeply 4-lobed ; the style proceeding from the base of the lobes, which in
fruit become little nuts or hard akenes, each with a single seed without albumen. Herbage
not aromatic.

An Order for the most part of rough homely plants, some of them very obnoxious weeds.
A few are slightly medicinal. The Alkanet of commerce (a red coloring matter) is afford-
ed by a plant of this Order, viz.: Anchusa tinctoria, L. Several species have showy
flowers, and some of the Heliotropiums are admired for their fragrance.
* Akenes or lobes erect, fixed by the lower end, separate from the style, not prickly.
Corolla somewhat irregular, throat naked and open.

The rather unequal stamens protruding. 1. ECHIUM.

Corolla regular.

Its throat closed by 5 converging scales. 2. SYMPHYTUM.

Its throat open, with 5 more or less evident projections ; lobes

spreading, round, imbricated in the bud, white. 3. LTTHOSPERMUM.

** Akenes or lobes prickly, fixed by their side or upper end to the
base of the style. Corolla salver-shaped with 5 scales in the
throat.

Akenes erect, prickly on the margins only.

Flowers small. 4. ECHINOSPERMUM.

Akenes oblique or flattened from above, prickly or rough all
over. 5. CYNOGI.OSSUM.

1. E'CHIUM, Tournef. VIPER'S-BUGLOSS.
[Greek, Echis, a viper ; from, the resemblance of the seeds to a viper's head.]

Corolla subcampanulate, limb obliquely 5-lobed, unequal, the throat ex-

24:2

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

panded, naked. Stamens mostly exserted, unequal. Nutlets roughened

or wrinkled, fixed by a flat base.

1. E. vulga're, L. Stem tuber-
culate-hispid ; leaves linear-
lanceolate, hispid ; flowers in
lateral secund spikes, dispos-
ed in a long narrow raceme.
COMMON ECHIUM. Blue- weed.
Viper's Bugloss. Blue Devils.
Fr. Herbe aux Viperes. Ger.
Der Natterkopf. Span. Yer-
ba de la Vibora.

Root biennial. Stem 2-3 feet high,
branched above. Radical-leaves 5-8
inches long, lanceolate, petiolate ;
stem-leaves smaller, linear-lanceolate,
acute sessile. Spikes numerous, ax-
illary, secuud and at flrst recurved,
finally erect. Corolla at first pur-
Iplish, finally bright blue, pubescent
externally. Al<enes subovoid, angu-
lar on the inner side, keeled on the
back, a little incurved and acuminate,
rough with tubercles of a greyish-
brown color.

Fields and road-sides : introduced.
Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr.
August.

Obs. This showy but vile
weed, has become extensively
naturalized in some portions
of our country, — and is a sad
pest wherever it establishes
itself. I have seen it in con-
siderable quantities in the
State of Maryland, and of late
years it has become abundant
in New York — though I think
it is yet rare in Pennsylvania.
Prof. A. GKAY informs us (Silliman's Journal, Vol. 42, p. 13), that, in
the valley of the Shenandoah, Virginia, " for the distance of more than
a hundred miles, it has taken complete possession, even of many cultivat-
ed fields." A veteran editor of a newspaper in the " Old Dominion,"
has long been noted for harping on the Ovidian phrase—" Principiis
obsta,' — i. e. meet and resist beginnings — or nip the first buddings of evil.
If he had taught his agricultural fellow-citizens to apply his favorite
maxim, practically to this plant, he would "have done the State some
service :" and every farmer would do well to bear that maxim in mind,

154=

FIG. 154. Flowering summit of Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare).

BORAGE FAMILY. 243

not only in reference to this, but to all pernicious weeds. It would save
a vast deal of vexatious labor at a future day.

2. SYM'PHYTUM, Tournef. COMFREY.

[Greek, Symphyo, to join ; from its supposed healing virtues.]

Corolla tubular with 5 short spreading teeth ; the throat inflated and
closed by 5 linear-awl-shaped scales. Stamens included ; anthers elongated.
Nutlets smooth, ovate, fixed by a large hollowed base. Coarse peren-
nials with mucilaginous roots and yellowish white flowers in nodding
hispid racemes.

1. S. officina'le, L. Stem winged above by the decurrence of the sessile
leaves ; lower leaves ovate-lanceolate, tapering to a petiole, the upper
narrower.

OFFICINAL SYMPHYTUM. Comfrey.

Stem 2-3 feet high, branched, grooved or angular, and hispidly pilose. Leaves 6-12
inches long, rugose ; petioles of the lower ones 3-5 inches in length. Racemes without
bracts, the flowers rather crowded. Corolla rarely purplish ; scales of the throat gland-
ular dentate.

Gardens, and naturalized in some places. Native of Europe. June.

Obs . Formerly used as a remedy for " internal wounds," and still has
some reputation in diseases of the lungs and bowels. The root is the
part used ; it imparts a strong mucilage to water and has a slight
astringency, and is at least harmless if not efficacious.

3. LITHOSPER'MUM, Tournef. GROMWELL.

[Greek, Lithos, a stone, and Sperma, seed ; from the stony hardness of its seeds.]

Corolla funnel-form or salver-form ; limb 5-lobed ; throat naked, or with
5 small gibbous projections. Anthers oblong, subsessile, included. Akenes
bony, smooth or rugose, fixed by the base.

1. L arven'se, L. Hispidly pilose; leaves lance-linear, rather acute,
entire, nerveless ; akenes rugose-pitted.

FIELD LITHOSPERMUM. Stone-weed. Gromwell.
Fr. Gremil des champs. Germ. Acker Steinsame.

Roots annual. Stem 12-18 inches high, generally much branched from the root, and
often branched near the summit. Leaves 1-2 inches long, — the lower ones often oblan-
ceolate and obtuse. Flowers axillary, solitary, subsessile. Corolla ochroleucous, small,
destitute of folds or appendages. Akenes ovoid, acuminate, rugose, brown when mature.

Grain-fields and pastures : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. June.

06s. A worthless little foreigner, more noticeable for its frequency in
our fields, than for any intrinsic importance, even as a weed. According
to the doctrine of signatures — a fanciful theory of the early days of
medical science, which assumed that all iredicinal substances indicated
by some external character the diseases to which they were adapted, or
the part of the body which they were supposed to affect — this, and other
species, were formerly a reputed cure for the stone in the bladder, from the
stony-like appearance of its seeds ; whence one of the popular names.

244

WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

355

3. ECHINOSPER'MUM, Swartz. STICKSEED.

[Greek, Echinos, a hedgehog, and sperma, seed ; from the prickly nutlets.]

Corolla salver-form, about the length of the calyx ; lobes rounded ; the
throat closed with 5 short scales. Stamens included. Nutlets erect, fixed
laterally to the base of the style or central column, triangular or com-
pressed, the back armed with 1-3 rows of prickles which are barbed at
the apex, otherwise naked. Rough-hairy greyish herbs, with small blue
flowers in bracted racemes.
1. E. Lap'pula, Lehm. Stem paniculately branched above ; leaves lanceo-

FIG. 155. Corn Gromwell (Lithospermum arvense). 156. The fruit of 4 smooth nutlets,
enlarged.

BORAGE FAMILY. 245

late, rather obtuse, rough-hairy ; nutlets each with a double row of
prickles on the margins, and tubercled on the back.

Stickseed. Narrow-leaved Stickseed.

Annual or biennial. Stem a foot or more in height, covered with greyish spreading
hairs, simple below. Leaves 1-2 inches long, very hairy ; the hairs mostly tuberculate
at the base. Flowers in leafy racemes, the pedicels very short.

Waste places. Native of Europe. July.

Obs. Rather common in some localities. The nutlets adhere to the
coats of sheep and cattle, and on this account the weed is a troublesome
one.

4. CYNOGLOS'SUM, Tournef. HOUND 'S-TONGUE.

[Greek, Kyon, a dog, and Glossa, a tongue ; from the form of the leaves.]

Corolla funnel-form — the tube nearly as long as the calyx ; throat closed
by 5 obtuse scales ; limb 5-lobed ; the lobes very obtuse. Stamens in-
cluded. Nutlets depressed or convex, oblique, fixed near the apex to the
base of the style, roughened all over with short barbed or hooked
prickles. Coarse herbs with a strong unpleasant odor, and mostly panicled
racemes which are naked above, but usually bracted at the base. Lower
leaves petioled.

1, C, Moriso'ni, DC. Stem erect, somewhat hispid, divaricately
branched at summit ; leaves ovate, lanceolate, acuminate, narrowed at
base ; racemes somewhat in pairs, with the rachis villous ; pedicels
finally reflexed ; fruit densely covered with uncinate prickles.

MOKISON'S CYNOGLOSSUM. Beggar's Lice.

Root annual. Stem 2-4 feet high. Leaves 3-4 inches long, acute at each end, scabrous,
the lower ones petiolate — the upper ones subsessile. Racemes terminating the slender
divaricate branches, mostly dichotomous ; pedicels about as long as the fruit. Corolla
bluish-white, small.

Fence-rows and borders of thickets : Northern and Middle states. Fl. July. Fr.
October.

Obs. The slovenly farmer is apt to get a practical acquaintance with
this obnoxious weed, in consequence of its racemes of bur-like fruit en-
tangling the manes of his horses, and the fleeces of his sheep.

2. C. officina'le, L. Softly pubescent ; stem paniculate above, leafy ;
upper leaves lanceolate, closely sessile by a rounded or slightly heart-
shaped base ; racemes nearly bractless ; nutlets flat on the broad upper
face, somewhat margined.

OFFICINAL CYNOGLOSSUM. Hound's-tongue.

Biennial. Stem about 2 feet high. Radical leaves 9-12 inches in length, lance oblong,
petiolate ; stem leaves 3-6 inches long. Racemes 2-5 inches long, mostly erect, secund •
pedicels %- yz an inch in length • corolla reddish or purplish brown, (rarely white).

Waste places and pastures. Native of Europe. May -July.

Obs. Troublesome in the same manner with the preceding species.
The disagreeable odor of the plant has been compared to that of nests
of young mice.

246

WEEBS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

153

ORDER LI. CONVOLVULA'CE^E. (CONVOLVULUS FAMILY.)

Mostly trailing or twining lierbs, often with a milky juice ; leaves alternate (in Cuscuta
reduced to minute scales) ; flowers regular, hexandrous ; calyx of 5 imbricated persistent
sepals; corolla 5-plaited or 5-lobed, twisted or convolute in the bud ; ovary 2-celled (rarely
3-celled) with a pair of erect ovules in each cell, the cells sometimes doubled by a false
partition between the seeds, so becoming 4-celled ; the embryo large, curved or coiled in a
mucilaginous albumen. Fruit a globular 2-6-seeded pod.

A family containing many showy plants, some of which are cultivated for ornament.
The medicinal products, Jalap and Scammoay, are furnished by plants of this order.

FIG. 157. Common Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum offlcinale). 158. Portion of the corolla
with the scales which close the throat. 159. The fruit, consisting of prickly nutlets adher-
ing to the base of the styel.

CONVOLVULUS FAMILY. 247

1. BATA'TAS, Rumph. SWEET POTATO.

[Apparently an aboriginal or barbarous name, — adopted for the genus.]

Corolla campanulate — the limb spreading. Stamens 5, included. Style
simple ; stigma capitate ; 2-lobcd. Capsule 4-celled, 4-valved. Seeds 4,
erect.

1. B. B'DULIS, Chois. Stem creeping, rarely voluble ; leaves subhastate

— cordate with the sinus broad and shallow, often angular and partially

lobed, petiolate ; peduncles as long or longer than the petioles, 3-4-

flowered.

EATABLE BATATAS. Sweet Potato. Carolina Potato.

Fr. Patate jaune. Germ. Bataten Winde. Span. Batata de Malaga.

Root perennial, tuberous • tubers oblong, terete, acute at each end, yellowish-white, or
sometimes purple externally, yellowish within. Stem 4-8 feet long, slender, prostrate,
radicating, pilose. Leaves 2-3 or 4 inches long ; petioles about 2 inches in length. Corolla,
purple (fide DC.).

Gardens and lots : cultivated.

Obs. Cultivated for its large sweet edible farinaceous roots, especially
in the Southern States, though its culture has been found practicable
much farther North than was formerly supposed. The warm sandy soil
of New Jersey produces fine specimens, and it has succeeded in some of
the States of the West. In the Middle States it does not flower, but is
propagated altogether by cuttings. The plant is generally supposed to
have originated in tropical America ; although it has extended, in culti-
vation, throughout the warmer portions of both continents, it has nover
been detected by any botanist in the wild state. The word potato is said
to be a corruption of Batata, the name it bore among the aborigines of
some portion of this continent. This is doubtless the potato spoken of
by SIIAKSPEARE, and contemporary writers; the "Irish. Potato," so
called (SOLA'NUM TUBERO'SUM), being then scarcely known in the Old
World. Sweet Potatoes were among the presents which Columbus
carried to Isabslla, from the newly-discovered world.

2. CONVOL'VULUS, L. BIND-WEED.

[Latin, Convolve, to entwine, or wind about ; descriptive of the plant.]

Corolla campanulate. Style simple ; stigmas 2, terete-linear, often
revolute. Capsule 2-celled. Seeds 4, erect. Stems twining procumbent,
often erect-spreading. Flowers mostly opening at dawn.
1. C. arven'sis, L. Stem voluble or often prostrate ; leaves ovate-
oblong, mostly obtuse, sagittate at base ; peduncles mostly 1-flowered,
bibracteate — the bracts small, remote from the flower.
FIELD CONVOLVULUS. Biud-weed.
Fr. Liseron des champs. Germ. Die Ackerwinde. Span. Corregiiela.

Root perennial, creeping, long. Stem about 2 feet long, slen ler, branching, procumbent

248 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

or twining round other plants, twisted, a little hairy. Leaves an inch to an inch and a
half long — the smaller ones rather acute, the larger ones obtuse and somewhat emarginate
— all of them with a minute cusp at the end of the midrib ; petioles half an inch to an inch
long. Peduncles axillary, 1-2% inches long, with 2 minute. bracts half an inch to a;i inch
below the flower. Corolla pale red or reddish-white.
Cultivated lots : introduced. Xative of Europe and Asia. Fl. June -July. Fr. Aug.

Obs. This foreigner has been introduced into some portions of our
country, — and may give the farmers some trouble, if they do not guard
against it. We are told that incessant vigilance is the condition on
which alone the rights of freemen can be maintained ; and I believe the
farmer will find at similar condition annexed to the preservation of his
premises from the inroads of pernicious weeds. The following remarks,
from the Flora Londinensis, will afford some idea of the character of
this Convolvulus, as observed in England,— and may serve as a salutary
caution here :

" Beautiful as this plant appears to the eye, experience proves it to
have a most pernicious tendency in Agriculture. The field of the slov-
enly farmer bears evident testimony of this ; nor is the garden wholly
exempt from its inroads. The following experiment may serve to show
what precaution is necessary in the introduction of plants into a garden,
especially when we want them to grow in some particular situation.

'; Tempted by the lively appearance which I had often observed some
banks to assume from being covered with the blossoms of this Convol-
vulus, I planted twelve feet of a bank in my garden, which was about
four feet in height, with some roots of it : it was early in the spring,

FIG. 160. Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis.)

CONVOLVULUS FAMILY. 249

and the season was remarkably dry, so that I scarcely expected to see
them grow ; but a wet season coming on, soon convinced me that my
apprehensions were unnecessary, for they quickly covered the whole sur-
face of the bank, to the almost total extirpation of every other plant.
It being a generally received opinion, that if a plant was cut down close
to the ground, it would thereby be destroyed, or at least very much
weakened, I was determined to try the validity of this opinion by an
experiment, and accordingly, the whole of the Convolvulus was cut
down somewhat below the surface of the earth. In about a month the
bank was covered with it thicker than before. I then had recourse to
a second cutting, and afterwards to a third : but all these were insuffi-
cient ; for now at this present writing (August) the bank is wholly
covered with it ; nor do I expect to destroy it, but by levelling the
bank and destroying the roots."

The common Morning-glory is placed by some botanists in this genus,
and by others, it is referred to IPOMCEA, which differs from Convolvulus
chiefly in its capitate, and often 2 - 3-lobed stigma. This, the Ipomce'a
purpu'rea, L., is sparingly naturalized about dwellings ; "and a very hairy
species, I. Nil. Roth, is found in similar situations in the Southern
States. The beautiful Cypress Vine, often cultivated, and somewhat
spontaneous Southward, is QUAM'OCLIT VULGA'EIS, Chois.

3. CUS'CUTA, Tournef. DODDER.

[A name of uncertain derivation and obscure meaning.]

Calyx 4 - 5-cleft. Corolla globose-urceolate or tubular, — the limb 5 or
rarely 4-cleft. Stamens furnished with a scale-like, often fringed a.ppen-
dageaUthe base. Ovary free, 2-celled and 4-ovuled ; styles 2, rarely
united into 1. Fruit mostly capsular, — the pericarp membranaceous,
circumscissed at base or bursting irregularly. Embryo spiral, filiform,
more or less convolute in and around fleshy albumen. Parasitic herbs,
with slender twining leafless orange-colored stems ; germinating in the
earth, but speedily attaching themselves to other plants by radicating
processes, through which they derive nourishment, — and, dying at the
root, soon lose all direct -connection with the soil. Flcwcrs clustered.
1. C. EPILI'NUM, Weik. Stem filiform ; flowers in dense capitate sessile
rather distant clusters ; corolla globular, 5-parted, scarcely exceeding
the calyx, withering on the capsule ; scales minute ; stigmas elongated ;
pod opening regularly around the base by a circumsissile dehiscence.
FLAX CUSCUTA. Flax-vine. Dodder.
Fr. Fil de terre. Germ. Die Flachs-seide. Span. Cuscuta.

Annual. Stem 2-3 or 4 feet long, very slender, smooth, pale orange-color, flowers in
small dense heads or clusters. Calyx segments 4-5 ovate, rather acute. Corolla yellowish-
white or pale orange-color, subglobose-urceolate, 4-5*lobed ; lobes ovate, acute, some-
what spreading. Stamens inserted at the clefts of the corolla. Scales adnate to the corolla
below the stamens, short, truncate, crenate-laciniate. Capsule depressed-globose. Seeds
reddish-brown, scabrous or almost muricate under a lens.

Jhiras'.tic on flax : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

250 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. This singular plant — formerly *a great pest among the flax crops
— has become quite rare, since the culture of flax has declined. There
are several native species of this genus, the most common of which, C*
Grrono'yii, Wittd., is often seen in swampy places, from August to Octo-
ber, twining over other plants in tangled masses, which have been
likened to bunches of threads of yarn, and to copper wires.

ORDER III. SOLANA'CE^E. (NIGHTSHADE FAMILY.)

Mostly Aer&Sj with a watery juice and alternate leaves without stipules, regular 5-merous and
5-androus flowers on bractless pedicels ; corolla plicate or infolded -valvato in the bud ;
stamens inserted into the corolla, as many as its lobes and alternate with them. Fruit a 2-
celled (rarely 3-5-celled) many -seeded berry or capsule ; seeds withlleshy albumen.

An Order comprising plants with widely different properties ; sometimes the foliage and
fruit are highly poisonous, while on the other hand it affords some of our most valuable
esculents.

*Corolla wheel-shaped. Stamens closely converging or united around the style. Fruit
a berry.

Anthers longer than the very short filaments, and connected with each other,
opening lengthwise. 1. LYCOPERSICUM.

Not connected, opening at the top by two pores. 2. SOLANUM.

Anthers shorter than the filaments, heart-shaped, opening length-
wise. Berry inflated, pod-like, pulp very pungent. 3. CAPSICUM.
**Corolla between wheel-shaped and bell-shaped. Anthers separate.

Calyx becoming inflated around the eatable berry. • 4. PHYSALIS.

***Corolla funnel-shaped, bell-shaped or tubular. Stamens separate ;

filaments slender. Calyx 5-toothed or 5-lobed.
Shrubby with vine-like branches and narrow leaves.

Corolla funnel-shaped, small. Fruit a berry. 5. LYCIUM.

Annual herbs with an unpleasant odor. Fruit a pod.

Corolla and stamens rather irregular. Pod in the urn-shaped calyx

opening at the top by a lid. 6. HYOSCYAMUS.

Corolla perfectly regular, long funnel-shaped.

Calyx 5-angled, long, falling away after flowering.

Pod large and prickly. 7. DATURA

Calyx not angled, persistent. Pod smooth. 8. NICOTIANA.

1, LYCOPER'SICUM, Tournef. TOMATO. *

[Literally Wolf-Peach • a metaphorical name, having reference to the fruit.]

Calyx 5 - 10-parted, persistent. Corolla rotate ; tube very short ; limb
plicate, 5 - 10-lobed. Stamens 5-6, exserted ; anthers oblong-conical,
cohering by an elongated membrane at summit, longitudinally dehiscent
on the inner side. Ovary 2 - 3-celled, with the placentas adnate to the
dissepiment, many-ovuled. Berry 2 -3-celled. Seeds numerous, reui-
form, pulpy-villous. Leaves odd-pinnately dissected. Flowers in lateral
racemose clusters.

1. L. ESCULEN'TUM, Mill. Stem herbaceous ; leaves interruptedly
pseudo-pinnate, — the segments petiolulate, lance-ovate, acuminate,
deeply incised-serrate ; fruit depressed-globose, mostly torose.

ESCULENT LYCOPERSICUM. Tomato, or Tomatoes. Love-apple.
Fr. Pomme d' amour. Germ. Der Liebes-Apfel, Span. Tomate.

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY. 251

Plant of a greyish aspect, viscid-pubescent and somewhat fetid. Root annual. Stem 2-
4 feet long, branching, often straggling or procumbent unless supported, flowers in
naked lateral racemose clusters ; common peduncle 1-2 inches long, dichotomously divid-
ed, the sub-divisions articulated to the pedicels -of the "flowers. Calyx-segments 5-10,
linear-lanceolate, long. Corttlla yellow, pubescent, the lobes 5-10, lanceolate, spreading.
Anthers cohering, acuminate, with the points recurved. Berries large (1 -3 or 4 inches or
more in diameter), globose or flatly depressed and orbicular, often remarkably torosc or
distorted by large swelling ridges, red or reddish orange-color when mature.

Gardens and lots: cultivated. Native' of Spanish America. Fl. June- August. Fr.
August -September.

Ob$. This is cultivated for its succulent acid fruit — which, as asauce,
is considered very healthful, — and has, of late years, become a favorite
and almost universal dish, in its season. Numerous varieties are found in
cultivation ; the fruit varying in color, being yellow, deep-red and light-
crimson ; some have the surface smooth, and in others it is deeply fur-
rowed. The larger berries are usually in an abnornal condition, con-
taining numerous cells, and sometimes appearing as if produced by the
union of several ovaries. The small round kind, known as " Cherry To-
mato," is probably L. CERASIFORME, Dunal ; this, also, varies in color,
and ha? probably hybridized with the ordinarily cultivated species, to
produce the intermediate forms that are often met with.

2. SOLA'NUM, L. NIGHTSHADE AND POTATO.

[A name of obscure and uncertain meaning.]

Calyx 5 - 10-parted, persistent. Corolla rotate or subcampanulate ;
tube short ; limb plicate, mostly 5-lobed. Stamens mostly 5, inserted
on the throat of the corolla, exserted ; anthers con ni vent, opening at
apex by 2 pores. Berry 2- (rarely 3-4-) celled. Leaves various ;
flowers in cymose clusters — on mostly lateral and extra-axillary pedun-
cles.

* Anthers blunt ; plants not prickly.

1. S. ni'grum, L. Stem herbaceous, angular, branched, scabrous on
the angles ; leaves ovate, obscurely repand-dentate ; flowers subumbel-
late ; fruit globose, black.

BLACK SOLANUM. Nightshade.

Fr. Morelle noire. Germ.. Der schwarze Nachtschatten. Span. Yer-

ba mora.

Root annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, much branched, angular or slightly winged. Leaves
2-3 inches long ; petioles about an inch long. Umbels lateral above the axils, few-flowered,
nodding. Corolla white.

Waste places, about gardens and dwellings. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. Sept.

Obs. A homely, worthless, and even deleterious weed, — which ought to
be carefully expelled from the vicinity of all dwellings.

2. S. Dulcafna'ra, L. Somewhat shrubby and climbing ; leaves cor-
date-ovate, the upper ones often hastate or with 2 ear-like lobes at base ;
flowers in lateral cymes ; fruit oval, red.

252

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

163

BITTEE-SWEET SoLANUM. Bitter-sweet. Woody Nightshade.

Perrenial. Stem 4-8 feet long, flexuose, smoothish. Leaves 2 - 4 inches long ; petioles
half an inch to an inch in length. Cymes opposite the leaves, nodding ; pedicels half an
inch long, clavato ; common peduncle about 2 inches in length ; corolla violet-purple, the
lobes spreading or reflexed, each with 2 green dots or tubercles at base. Berry near half
an inch long.

About houses, &c. Native of Europe. .FZ. July. Fr. September.

Obs. Extensively naturalized in fertile soils, and is often tolerated and

FIG. 161. A branch of Nightshade (Solannm nigrum).
divided

162. A fruit. 163. The same

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY. 253

even sometimes cultivated to train over walls and fences, as its flowers
and fruit are showy. The berries are said to be poisonous, though this
is denied by some authors ; but as it is an unsettled question, and as
their bright red appearance, when ripe, may tempt children to eat them,
the plant should be regarded as a dangerous one. The twigs are used
in medicine to increase the secretions of the kidneys and skin.

3. S. TUBERO'SUM, L. Underground shoots producing tubers ; leaves
interruptedly pseudo-pinnate, — the lobes ovate, entire ; fruit globular,
rather small, greenish yellow.

TUBEROUS SOLANUM. Common Potato. Irish Potato.
Fr. Pomme de terre. Germ. Die Kartoffel. Span. Batatin.

Annual; the base of the stem producing tuberous oblong or roundish pedicellate
rhizomas. Stem 2-3 feet high, thickish and succulent or fleshy, often decumbent, some-
what pubescent. Leaves odd-pinnately dissected, — the segments somewhat petiolulate,
sometimes opposite, the alternate pairs very small. Flowers in terminal nodding corymbs,
on a common peduncle 3-5 inches long; pedicels articulated. Corolla bluish-white.
Anthers orange yellow, often slightly cohering. Berries globose, about half an inch in
diameter.

Kitchen gardens and fields: cultivated. Native of South America. Fl. June -July
Fr. September.

06s. This most important plant is more or less cultivated, for its escu-
lent tubers, by every owner or occupant of land. It is one of the indis-
pensable crops for a family. Numerous varieties of tubers — purple,
white and yellow- — have been obtained, by long culture, or from seedling
plants. According to M'Cui,LOCH, Potatoes were introduced into Eng-
land, from Virginia, by SIR WALTER EALEIGH, in 1586 ; into Ireland in
1610, — where they have "long furnished from three-fifths to four-fifths
of the entire food of the people" ; and into Scotland in 1728.

** Anthers long and taper-pointed ; stem and leaves prickly.

4. S. ESCULEN'TUM, Dunal. Stem herbaceous, nearly simple ; leaves
ovate, somewhat sinuate-lobed, tomentose ; flowers 5-7 or 10-parted ;
peduncles solitary, thickened, nodding ; calyx aculeate ; fruit ovoid or
oval, dark purple or white, mostly very large.

ESCULENT SOLANUM. Egg-plant.

Fr. Aubergine rouge. Germ. Eifriichtiger Nachtschatten.

Whole plant clothed with a stellated tomentum. Root annual. Stem about 2 feet high,
hollow, aculeate, finally subligneous Leaves 6 - 9 inches long, — the nerves and petioles
aculeate; petioles 1-3 inches long. Peduncles lateral, supra-axillary, thick, (sometimes
slender and dichotomous, or bearing 2 flowers), aculeate. Corolla purplish, pubescent ;
lobes ovate, spreading. Berries 3-5 or 6 inches in diameter, smooth.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of India. Fl. July- August. Fr. September -October.

06s. This is cultivated for its fruit — which is quite a favorite culinary
vegetable. Long culture has produced several striking .varieties, some
of which have been described as species ; the white-fruited variety is
nearly destitute of prickles.

5. S, Carolinen's3, L. Stem suffruticose., branching ; leaves ovate-

254

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

164

oblong, acute, sinuate-angled and often subhastate, prickly on both sides ;
racemes simple, loose ; fruit globose, small, orange yellow.
CAROLINIAN SOLANUM. Horse-nettle.

Root perennial. Stem 1 to near 2 feet high, annual but firm and almost afcrubby, hollow,
branching, armed with sharp spreading prickles. Leaves 4-6 inches long, aculeate on the
midrib and larger nerves on both sides, clothed with a hirsute stellate pubescence ;
petioles half an inch to an inch and a half long. Racemes lateral, opposite to and often

FIG. 164. The Horse-nettle (Solannm Carolinense).

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY. 255

longer than the leaves. Calyx 5 -parted, aculeate. Corolla bluish-white. Berries one -fourth
to one-third of an inch in diameter.

Pastures and cultivated grounds — especially in the Southern States. Fl. July. Fr.
October.

Obs. This is an exceedingly pernicious weed, — and so tenacious of life
that it is almost impossible to get rid of it, when once fully introduced.
It grows in patches so thickly as to deter stock from feeding among it,
and even to monopolize the soil, — while its roots gradually extend
around, and to a great depth. It is a native of the Southern States, —
but has found its way to several localities in Pennsylvania. The farmers
will do well, therefore, to enable themselves to know it when they meet
it, — and moreover, to eradicate it, promptly and effectually, wherever
they find it on their premises.

3. CAP'SICUM, Tournef. CAPSICUM.

[Greek, kapto, to bite ; from its hot or biting quality.]

Calyx angular, 5 - 6-cleft, persistent. Corolla sub-rotate, with a very
short tube, — the limb plicate, 5 - 6-lobed. Stamens 5-6, exserted ;
anthers shorter than the filaments, heart-shaped, longitudinally dehiscent.
Berry nearly dry, inflated, polymorphous, incompletely 2 - 3-celled.
Seeds numerous, compressed, reniform.

1. 0. AN'NUUM, L. Stem herbaceous ; leaves ovate, acuminate, entire,

glabrous ; peduncles solitary, axillary.

ANNUAL CAPSICUM. Red Pepper. Cayenne Pepper.

Fr. Poivre d'Inde. Germ. Spanischer Pfeffer. Span. El Pimentero,
and El Chili.

Root annual. Stem 1 -2 feet high, angular, ; branching above. Leaves 2 - 4 inches long,
deep green ; petioles 1-3 inches long, semi-terete, slightly channeled above. Corolla
whito, with ovate-oblong spreading lobes. Anthers white, with a tinge of blue. Berry
hollow, terete and slender, ovoid-oblong, or depressed-globose, angular or torose, red
when mature.

Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of South America. Fl. July -Aug. Fr. Oct.

Obs. Culffvated for its fruit, — which is powerfully stimulant, and much
used as a condiment. Several varieties (perhaps distinct species) — with
the fruit of various forms — are to be met with in the gardens. That one
with slender terete elongated fruit, is sometimes cultivated on a large
scale, — for the manufacture of Cayenne Pepper, from the mature fruit :
the other forms with thicker rinds, are used in the green state for
pickles.

In Mexico and other warm countries of this continent, this is almost one
of the necessaries of life. The common people living mostly upon vege-
table food, use this stimulant freely, and either in its green state, " chili
verde," or ripe, " chili Colorado," it forms an accompaniment to every meal.
C. baccatum, C.frutescens, and perhaps other species, furnish the imported
" bird pepper" which is, when green, used to make pepper-vinegar or
pepper-sauce, and in the ripe state ground to form the Cayenne of the
shops.

256 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

4. PHY'SALIS, L. GROUND-CHERRY.

[Greek, Physa, a bladder, or bag ; in allusion to the inflated calyx.]

Calyx 5-cleft, enlarging after flowering, becoming much inflated, and in-
cluding the 2-celled globular (edible) fleshy berry. Corolla spreading
bell-shaped, marked with 5 concave spots at the base ; the plicate bor-
der somewhat 5-lobed or 5-toothed. Leaves somewhat in pairs ; pedun-
cles extra axillary, nodding, 1-flowered.

1, P, visco'sa, L. Root perennial ; divergently branching ; leaves
somewhat heart-ovate, repandly toothed ; corolla brownish in the throat.
CLAMMY PHYSALIS. Ground-cherry.

Stem 12-18 inches high, branched somewhat dichotomously and with the whole plant
clammy pubescent. Leaves 2-4 inches long, varying from lance-ovate and acute to
roundish ovate or sub-cordate and obtuse ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Corolla greenish-
yellow, with fuscous or purplish brown spots at base, about twice as long as the calyx.
Berry greenish-yellow or sometimes orange color, when mature. Peduncle* of tlu- fruit
about an inch long.

Common in light sandjr soils : also cultivated. Fl. July. Fr. September.

2. P. ALKEKEN'GI, L. Perennial ; leaves deltoid-ovate, acuminate ;
corolla not spotted.

Strawberry Tomato. Ground-cherry.

Less branching than the preceding. Leaves attenuated into a long petiole ; 3 - 4 inches
long including the petiole and l>£-2 inches broad The inflated calyx becoming reddish at
maturity. Berry red.

Native of Europe. Cultivated.

Obs. Both the species of Physalis above-mentioned have within a few
years come into cultivation. The ripe fruit has a very pleasant flavor,
and is eaten raw or cooked.

5. LY'CIUM, L. MATRIMONY-VINE.

[Named from Lycia, in Asia Minor.]

Calyx irregularly 2 - 3 or 5-cleft, persistent. Corolla Uibular-funnel-form ;

border mostly 5-lobed, spreading. Stamens usually exserted ; filaments

bearded. Berry 2-celled ; seeds reniform. Shrubby vines with entire

leaves ; flowers solitary or in pairs on extra-axillary peduncles.

1. L. Bar'barum, L. Somewhat spinose ; branches elongated, flaccid

and dependent ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, often clustered ; calyx mostly

5-cleft.

BARBARIAN LYCIUM. Bastard Jasmine. Matrimony-vine. Barbary

Box-thorn. Duke of Argyle's Tea-tree.

Perennial. Stem 10 -20 feet long, slender, much branched, with indurated* points at
the axils or base of the leaves. Leaves 1-3 inches long, tapering at base to a petiolt
about half an inch in length. Peduncles about an inch long, slender, often 2-4 together ;
corolla greenish-purple ; berry oval, orange-red when mature.

About dwellings. Native of Northern Asia. June -July.

Obs. This straggling half-vine kind of shrub is partially naturalized in

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY.

257

many places ; and being rather difficult to get rid of when once estab-
lished, is often something of a nuisance. It is frequently cultivated to
cover screens, &c. ; but there are so many plants better adapted every
way to the purpose, that its culture is not to be recommended.

6. HYOSCY'AMUS, Tournef. HENBANE.

[Greek, Hys, Ilyos, a hog, and Kyamos, a bean, because it either is or is not poisonous to
hogs, — a point upon which authors differ.]

Calyx bell-shaped or urn-shaped, 5-lobed. Corolla funnel-form, oblique,

FIG. 165. The Ground or Winter-cherry (Physalis Alkekengi). a. A fruit with half of
the inflated calyx cut away.

258

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

with a 5-lobed more or less unequal plaited border. Stamens declined.
Pod enclosed in the persistent calyx, 2-celled, opening transversely all
round near the apex, which falls off like a lid. Clammy pubescent, fetid,
narcotic herbs, with lurid flowers in the axils of the angled or toothed
leaves.

1. H. ni'ger, L. Leaves clasping, sinuate, toothed and angled ; flowers
sessile, in one-sided leafy spikes ; corolla dull yellowish, strongly reticu-
lated with purple veins.
BLACK HYOSCYAMTJS. Common or Black Henbane.

Annual or biennial. Whole plant viscid and hairy, of a glaucous hue. Stem 1-2
feet high. Lower leaves petioled, spreading on the ground. Calyx closely embracing the
seed-vessel, strongly netted-veined. heeds numerous, kidney-shaped, the surface strongly
reticulated.

Road-sides and waste places. Native of Europe. July - August.

Obs. This plant which is but sparingly naturalized as yet, is power-
fully narcotic and poisonous. A small fragment of a leaf, or a drop of
the juice of the plant falling upon the eye, dilates the pupil in a remark-
able manner. It is used in medicine as a substitute, in some cases, for
opium.

7. DATU'RA, L. THORN-APPLE.

[Supposed to be from Tatorah ; the Arabic name of the plant.]

Calyx tubular, prismatic, separating transversely above the base in fruit.

Corolla funnel-form, the limb spread-
ing, plicate, 5 - 10-toothed. Sta-
mens included. Style simple ; stig-
ma 2-lipped. Capsule ovoid or sub-
globose, prickly, (rarely smooth),
half 4-celled at summit, 4-valved.
Seeds numerous, laterally compressed,
sub-reniform, roughish-dotted. An-
nuals, with coarse, fetid and nar-
cotic leaves, somewhat in opposite
pairs, and large, solitary, axillary or
dichotomal flowers, on short pe-
duncles.

1. D. Stramo'nium, L. Stem dicho-
tomously branching ; leaves ovate,
sinuate-dentate, petiolate, smooth ;
capsule aculeate, erect.
Jamestown (corruptly Jimson] weed.
Thorn-apple.
Fr. Pomme epineuse. Germ. Der

ICG

Stech-apfel. Span. Estramonio.

FIG. 166. A capsule of the Thorn apple (Datura Stramonium).

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY. 259

Root annual. Stem 2-5 feet high, rather stout, terete, pale yellowish-green (dark
purple in var. Tatula) , smooth. Leaves 4 - 6 or 8 inches long, sinuate or somewhat angu-
lar-dentate ; petioles 1-3 or 4 inches in length. Calyx prominently 5-angled, nearly
half as long as the corolla. Corolla ochroleucous (pale violet purple in var. Tatula), about
U inches long ; capsule about an inch in diamter.

Waste places, farm-yards, road-sides, &c. Fl. July -August. .FY. September.

Obs. A native of Asia or tropical America. Both varieties, the one
with green and the other with purple stems, are very common. The
herb and seeds are powerful narcotic poisons. They are used medici-
nally, and the dried root is sometimes smoked as a remedy for asthma.
Both varieties are coarse unsightly weeds, and should be carefully extir-
pated by the farmer.

8. NICOTIA'NA, L. TOBACCO.

[Named in compliment to John Nicot; who introduced it into France.]

Calyx tubular-campanulate, persistent. Corolla funnel-form, — the limb
spreading, plicately 5-lobed. Stamens included. Style simple ; stigma
capitate. Capsule covered by the calyx, septicidally 2-valved at apex,
the valves finally bifid, retaining separate placentae. Seeds very nume-
rous, minute.

1. N. TABAO'UM, L. Leaves large, lance-
ovate, sessile, decurreut ; lobes of the corol-
la acuminate, the throat inflated.

TOBACCO NICOTIANA. Tobacco.

Fr. Le Tabac. Germ . Der Taback. Span.
Tabaco.

Whole plant viscid-pubescent. Root annual. Stem
4-6 feet high, stout, finally almost woody at base,
paniculately branched above. Leaves 1-2 feet long,
smaller as they ascend. Calyx about one third the
length of the corolla, ventricose, the segments lanceo-
late erect. Corolla about 2 inches long; limb rose-colored,
spreading ; tube pale yellowish-green. Captsule ovoid,
sulcate on each side. Seeds ^reniform, rugose.

Fields : cultivated extensively in the Southern and
Western States. Native of the warmer regions of
America. Known to Europeans about the year 1500.
Fl. July -August. Fr. Sept.

06.5. The extent to which this nauseous
and powerfully narcotic plant is cultivated,
its commercial importance, and the modes in
which it is employed to gratify the senses, constitute, altogether, one of
the most remarkable traits in the history of civilized man. "Were we
not so practically familiar with the business, we should doubtless be dis-

FIG. 167. Flowers of Tobacco (Xicotiana Tabacum).

260 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

posed to regard the whole story of the tobacco trade, and the uses made
of the herb, as an absurd and extravagant fable. In view of the facts
and circumstances, it does seem like sheer affectation, on our part, to
pretend to be astonished at the indulgence of the Chinese, and other
Asiatics, in the use of Opium. The habitual use of Tobacco is always
more or less injurious to the system — especially the nervous system ;
and in many instances it is highly deleterious. I speak from long ob-
servation, and a personal experience of many years, having smoked and
chewed the herb, until its pernicious effects compelled me to es-chew it
altogether.

OEDER LILT. GENTIANA' CE^E. (GENTIAN FAMILY.)

Smooth herbs with a colorless bitter juice, opposite, entire and sessile leaves without stipules;
flowers regular ; stamens as many as and alternate with the lobes of the corolla, which are
convolute in the bud ; a 1-celled ovary with 2-parietal placentae ; the fruit a 2-valvcd ,
septicidal many-seeded pod ; seeds with fleshy albumen.

An Order containing many beautiful species — a number of them valuable for their
bitter, tonic properties ; among which may be mentioned the Gentian of the shops (Gen-
tiana lutea, L.). Few or none, however, are of any agricultual importance.

1. SABBAT'IA, Adam. OENTAURY.

[Named after Liberatus Sabbali ; an Italian Botanist.]

Calyx 5 -12-parted. Corolla sub-rotate, — the limb 5 - 12-lobed, convo-
lute (twisted to the right) in the bud. Stamens as many as the corolla-
lobes ; anthers erect, opening by a longitudinal fissure, finally recurved.
Style 2-parted, — the branches stigmatiferous, at length spirally twisted.
Capsule 2-valved, septicidal, 1-celled, with spongy placentas along the
sutures. Biennials or annuals with slender stems and handsome flowers
in a cymose panicle.

1. S, angllla'ris, PursK. Stem acutely 4-angled, somewhat winged ;
leaves ovate, sessile and amplexicaul ; calyx-segments mostly 5, linear-
lanceolate, acute, much shorter than the corolla ; corolla mostly 5-parted,
the lobes ob ovate, rather obtuse.
ANGULAR SABBATIA. Centaury.

Root annual? (biennial, DC.}. Stem liJ-18 inches high, often bushy with numerous
branches. Leaves about an inch long, 5-nerved. Flowers sometimes composed of 6 parts.
Corolla rose red, with a pale green star in the centre. Capsule oblong-ovoid, mucronate,
with a keeled suture on each side. Seeds rugosely pitted, under a lens.

Sterile old fields : Canada to Carolina. Fl. July - August. Fr. September.

Obs. This plant has but little connection with agriculture ; yet it is
so generally and deservedly popular as a bitter and tonic medicine, that
it would seem desirable for every farmer to be able to identify it, and
therefore I have inserted it. There is another plant in the South and
West belonging to this tribe, which is highly commended for similar
properties, namely, the Wild Colombo, (Fra'sera Carolinen'sis, Walt.)
I do not deem it necessarv, however, to do more than mention it here.

MILKWEED FAMILY. 261

ORDER LIV. ASCLEPIADA'CE^E. (MILKWEED FAMILY.)

Plants mostly with miUcy -juice, and entire, usually opposite or whorled (rarely scattered)
leaves without stipules j flowers regular, 5-merous and 5-androus ; lobes of corolla mostly
valvate in the bud ; filaments united into a tube which encloses the pistils, the tube
augmented by a crown of 5 lobes or scales, at summit ; the anthers united to the stigma
and the pollen in peculiar wax-like masses as described under the first genus ; fruit a
follicle, seeds compressed and mostly margined and comose.

An Order remarkable for the peculiar structure of the flowers (well illustrated in Prof.
Gray's admirable text -book), and containing a number of plants interesting to the botan
ist, though but few of any economical value.

1. ASCLE'PIAS, L. MILKWEED.

[The Greek name of JEsculapius; to whom the genus is dedicated.]

Calyx deeply 5-parted, persistent ; divisions small, spreading. Corolla
5-parted, reflexed, deciduous. Crown of 5 hooded lobes, seated on the
tube of the stamens, each containing an incurved horn. Stamens 5, in-
serted on the base of the corolla ; filaments united into a tube, which
encloses the pistil ; anthers adherent to the stigma, each with two verti-
cal cells, tipped with a membranaceous appendage, each cell containing
a flattened pear-shaped and waxy pollen-mass ; the two contiguous pol-
len-masses of adjacent anthers forming pairs which hang by their slen-
der summits from five small black shining cloven glands, at the angles
of the stigma. Ovaries 2, tapering into very short styles ; the large de-
pressed 5-angled fleshy stigma common to the two. Follicles 2, one of
them often abortive, soft, ovate or lanceolate. Seeds flat, margined, im-
bricated downwardly all over the large placenta which separates from
the suture at maturity, furnished with a long tuft of silky hairs at the
hilum. Perennial herbs, with thick and deep roots ; peduncles terminal,
or mostly lateral and between the petioles, bearing simple, many-flowered
umbels.

1. A, Cornu'ti, Decaisne. Leaves elliptic-ovate, acute, tomentose be-
neath ; pods clothed with soft spinous projections and woolly.

CORNUTUS'S ASCLEPIAS. Silkwecd. Milkweed.

Stem 3 -4 feet high, stout, somewhat branched, smoothish. Leaves 6-8 inches long,
acute or with a slight point ; contracted at the base into a short but distinct petiole.
Umbels 2-4, axillary near the summit of the stem ; common peduncles 2-3 inches long ;
pedicel? 1 -1>£ inches in length, with lance-linear bracts at base ; 'flowers numerous, sweet-
scented, many of them abortive ; divisions of the corotta ovate, greenish-purple, about
one-fourth the length of the pedicels ; hoods of the crown ovate, obtuse, with a lobe or tooth
on each side of the stout claw-like horn ; follicles few, 3-5 inches long.

Rich soils : common. Fl. Juno. Fr. September.

Obs. This, the most common among our numerous species of the genus,
has recently been noticed by a Western correspondent of one of our agri-
cultural papers, as a most troublesome weed, and one exceedingly difficult
to exterminate. It does not bear this character in the East. When
well established in a fertile soil, its long deep roots will doubtless be
exceedingly difficult to extirpate. The seeds are readily wafted to a
great distance by means of the copious silky hairs. The plant, when

262

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

170

AH.

168

wounded, emits an abundance of milky juice, from which it receives one
of its common names ; the other being given to it on account of the
beautifully silky hairs of the seeds. The plant was named A. Syriaca,
by LINNJSUS, who perhaps thought it was a Syrian plant ; but it is an
exclusively American species.

VIG. 168. The common Milkweed (Asclepias Cornuti) reduced, 169. A separate flower,
enlarged. 170. Pods, reduced.

MILKWEED FAMILY. 263

2, A, tllbero'sa, L. IJirsute ; not lactescent ; stem ascending, divari-
cately branched at summit, leafy ; leaves oblong-lanceolate or linear-
oblong, mostly alternate-scattered, lowest opposite, subsessile ; umbels
numerous, lateral and terminal, often forming a spreading corymb.

TUBEROUS ASCLEPIAS. Butterfly-weed. Pleurisy-root.

Whole plant mostly very hairy. Root perennial ; large, tuberous. Stem about 2 feet
high, generally more or less oblique or leaning ; branches spreading and often recurved.
Leaves 2-4 inches long, and half an inch to an inch wide, scattered or rarely opposite,
varying from lance-linear to oblong and oblanceolate, acute or obtuse, mostly obtuse at
base, on very short petioles. Stamineal crown bright orange color, — the hoods erect,
lance-oblong, distinct, abruptly narrowed below, the infolded md%ius with each an obtuse
tooth near the base ; horns subterete, tapering to a point, incurved. Follicles about 4
inches long, somewhat ventricose, acuminate, tomentose-pubescent.

Old fields, pastures and fence-rows : throughout the United States. Fl. July -August.
Fr. Sept. -October.

Obs. This is inclined to make its appearance in our cultivated grounds,
or pasture fields ; and, though a rough, coarse weed, is not a troublesome
one. When in bloom, the blight orange-colored umbels of this species
are quite showy. The root once had a reputation for being medicinal ;
but it is now generally neglected.

2.. ENSLEN'IA, Nutt. ENSLENIA.

[Dedicated to Enslen, an Austrian botanist, who collected in the Southern States early in
the present century.]

Calyx 5-parted. Corolla 5-parted ; the divisions erect, ovate-lanceolate.
Crown of 5 free membranaceous leaflets, which are truncate or obscurely
lobed at the apex, where they have a pair of flexuous awns united at
their base. Anthers nearly as in Asclepias ; pollen-masses oblong, obtuse
at both ends, fixed below the summit of the stigma to the descending
glands. Pods oblong-lanceolate, smooth. Seeds with a tuft as in Ascle-
pias. Perennial twining kerbs.

1. E, al'bida, Nutt. Leaves opposite, ovate-heart-shaped, acute, long-
petioled ; flowers small, in raceme-like clusters on slender axillary pe-
duncles.

WHITISH ENSLENIA.

Stem 8-12 feet high, climbing, slightly pubescent or smooth. Leaves 3-5 inches long
and about the same in width, with a broad sinus at base, somewhat pubescent on the
nerves below ; petiole equalling or exceeding the blade in length. Peduncles about half an
inch long, sometimes several from the same axils ; flmvers greenish or yellowish-white,
sweet-sceutod, on pedicels about their own length.

Alluvial soil. West and Southwest. July -September.

Obs. This plant is introduced on account of the statement of Doctor
SHORT, the distinguished botanist, of Kentucky, who says that it is a
great nuisance on the farms along the Ohio river. We are not informed
whether it has acquired a popular name.

264

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

OKDER LV. OLEA'CE^E. (OLIVE FAMILY.)

T-ees or shrubs with opposite simple or odd-pinnate leaves and perfect and complete or
sometime? apetalous and dioecious powers, in terminal and axillary racemes or panicles.
Calyx 4-lobed or 4-toothed, mostly persistent, rarely obsolete. Corolla 4-cleft, or of 4 dis-
tinct petals — sometimes wanting ; aestivation mostly valvate. Stamens usually 2. Fruit
various — baccate, drupaceous, capsular or samaroid, — 2-celled, and by abortion often
1-celled and 1 - 2-seeded. Seeds pendulous, mostly albuminous.

A small but interesting Order. Olives and Olive oil are afforded by the genus (Olea)
which is the type of the family, — the pericarp, instead of the seed, yielding the oiL The
Manna of the shops is derived from a species of Ash.

FIG. 171. A branch of Enslenia albida.

OLIVE FAMILY. 265

1. SYRIN'GA, L. LILAC.

[From the Latin, Syrinx, a pipe ; from the straight branches filled with pith.]

Calyx 4-toothed, persistent. Corolla salver-shaped, with a tube much
longer than the calyx ; limb 4-parted. Stamens 2.> Capsule ovate-lanceo-
late, compressed, 2-celled, 4-seeded. Seeds narrowly winged ; albumen
fleshy. Shrubs with the terminal buds in pairs, opposite, entire, petioled
leaves, and lilac or white flowers in thick panicles.

1. S. VULGA'RIS, L. Leaves cordate, smooth ; limb of the corolla some-
what concave.

COMMON SYRINGA. Lilac.

Cultivated. Native of Persia, Hungary, &c. May -June.

Obs. This, one of the commonest ornamental shrubs, is frequently seen
in old gardens, forming dense clumps 10-20 feet high. It throws up
suckers abundantly from the root, and by this means is easily propa-
gated. There are several well-marked varieties, differing in the compact*
ness of the flower clusters and the color of the flowers, which vary from
deep purple to white.

2. S. PER'SICA, L. Leaves lanceolate, acute, frequently divided or pin-
natifid ; limb of corolla flattish.

PERSIAN SYRINGA. Persian Lilac.

Cultivated. Native of Persia.

Obs. A much more delicate species than the common Lilac, growing
to the height of 6-8 feet. There are two forms, one with entire leaves
(var. INTEGRIFOLIA), and the other (var. LACINIATA) with the leaves, even
on the same branch, presenting all the forms between perfectly entire
and pinnately divided ; a most interesting illustration of the true nature
of pinnatifid leaves. The flower-clusters in both varieties are more
slender than those of the preceding species. *

2. LIGUS'TRUM, Tourncf. PRIVET.

[The Latin classical name.]

Calyx with a short tube, 4-toothed, deciduous. Corolla funnel-form, the

15 mb 4-parted ; lobes ovate, obtuse. Stamens 2, inserted on the tube of

the corolla, included. Style very short ; stigma bifid, obtuse. Perry

globose, 2-celled ; cells 2- (or by abortion 1-) seeded. Shrubs. Leaves

opposite, simple, entire. Flowers in terminal thyrsoid panicles.

1 . L. VULGA'RE, L. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, acute or obtuse, mucronu-

late, glabrous ; panicle compound, contracted.

COMMON LIGUSTRUM. Privet. Prim.

Fr. Le Troene. Germ. Die Gemeine Rheinweide. Span. Alheria.

Stem 6-8 or 10 feet high, much branched ; branches opposite. Leaves 1-3 inches long,
varying from lanceolate and acute, to elliptic or oblanccolate and obtuse, on short petioles.
O.iriAln. white. Berries black (rarely greenish-white) when mature.

Way-sides, fence-rows, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June. JV. October.

12

266 \VEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. Introduced for the purpose of hedging, for which it is now
used to a less extent than formerly. It has become completely natu-
ralized, arid is found plentifully in New England, New York and
Pennsylvania. The European Olive (Olea Europrea) so valuable for its
oil, belongs to this tribe. It grows and perfects its fruit in the grounds
around the old Jesuit Missions in Southern California, and might doubt-
less be profitably cultivated in the Southern Atlantic States where there
is a native species, Olea Americana, a small tree which has the popular
name of " Devil-wood." *

3. CHIONAN'THUS, L. FRINGE-TREE.

[Greek, chion, snow, and antlios, a flower ; from its snow-white blossoms.]

Calyx very small, 4-parted, persistent. Corolla of 4 long linear petals,
slightly connected at base. Stamens 2, (sometimes 3-4), very short.
Stigma notched. Drupe fleshy, globular ; nut striate, 1-seeded ; seed
without albumen. Small trees ; buds remarkably 4-cornered and pyra-
midal ; leaves entire ; flowers in loose pendulous trichotomous racemes.

1, C, Virgi'nica, L. Leaves oval or obovate lanceolate, sub-cori-
aceous, smoothish ; racemes terminal and axillary.
VIRGINIAN CHIONANTHUS. Fringe-tree.

Stem 10 - 20 feet high, with spreading branches. Leaves 4-6 inches long, acute at each
end ; petioles about half an inch in length. Racemes 3-4 inches long, somewhat pancicu-
late, — the terminal pedicels by threes. Petals white, nearly an inch long. Drupes of a
livid blackish color when mature.

Pennsylvania aiid southward. June.

Obs. The singular beauty of this ornamental little tree is beginning to
be appreciated by our people ; and it is consequently making its ap-
pearance in the yards and lawns of all persons of taste. The mature
fruit has a remarkably disagreeable bitterish taste.

4. FRAX'INUS, Tournef. Asn.
[The classical Latin name of the Ash.]

Flowers polygamous or (in our species) dioecious. Calyx small and 4-
cleft, toothed, or entire or obsolete. Corolla of 2 -4 oblong petals or
(in the North American species) wholly wanting. Stamens 2, sometimes
3 or 4 ; anthers linear or oblong, large. Style single ; stigma 2-cleft.
Fruit a 1 or 2-celled samara (key fruit), flattened, winged at the apex.
Trees, with petioled pinnate leaves ; the small flowers in crowded panicles
or racemes from the axils of last year's leaves.

* Fruit winged from the apex only, barely margined or terete towards the
base ; calyx minute, persistent ; leaflets stalked.

1, F. America'na, L. Leaflets 7-9, petiolulate, ovate or lance-ob-
long, acuminate, entire or obsoletely dentate, glaucous beneath ; petioles
and young branches terete, smooth ; buds with a rufous velvety pubes-
cence ; panicles compound, loose, axillary ; samaras terete and margin-

OLIVE FAMILY. 267

less below, above extended into a lanceolate, oblanceolate or wedge-linear
wing.

AMERICAN FRAXINUS. White Ash.

Stem 40-60 and 80 feet high, and 2-3 feet in diameter, — the young branches smooth
and dotted with white specks. Lea/lets 2-4 inches long, — at first downy, finally smooth
and green above, pubescent and glaucous beneath. Flowers with a minute 3 or 4-toothed
calyx. Samara terete at base, with a narrowish lance-oblong wing.

Woodlands : throughout the United States, — but particularly in the Northern States.
Fl. May. Fr.

Obs. The timber of this tree is highly valuable, and much used by
wheelwrights, coachmakers, &c. It also makes excellent fuel.

2. F. pubes'cens, Lam. Leaflets 7-9, petiolulate, elliptic-lanceolate,
acuminate, subserrate ; petioles and young branches velvety-pubescent ;
samaras linear-lanceolate.

PUBESCENT FRAXINUS. Red Ash.

Stem. 30 - 50 or 60 feet high, and 12-18 inches in diameter. Leaflets 2-3 inches long,—
more lanceolate and narrower than in the preceding — more pubescent beneath — and the
petiolules shorter. Samaras acute at the base, flattish and 2-edged, the edges gradually
dilated into the long oblanceolate or linear-lanceolate wing.

Low grounds, along streams : throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr.

Obs. This has considerable resemblance to the preceding species ; but,
besides the pubescence of the young branches, it is a smaller and less
valuable tree.

3. F. vir'idis, MX. f. Glabrous throughout ; leaflets 5-9, ovate or
oblong-lanceolate, often wedge-shaped at the base and serrate above,
bright green on both sides ; fruit acute at the base, striate, 2-edged or
margined.

GREEN FAGUS. Green Ash.

Small or middle-sized tree.

Along streams : New England to Wisconsin and southward.

** Fruit winged all round the seed-bearing portion ; calyx wanting, at
least in the fertile flowers, which are entirely naked.

4. F. sambucifo'lia, Lam. Leaflets 7-11, sessile, ovate-lanceolate,
acuminate, serrate, somewhat rounded and unequal at base, hirsutely
bearded beneath on the midrib and in the angles of the nerves ; flowers
naked ; samaras oblong, obtuse at each end.

SAMBUCUS-LEAVED FRAXINUS. Black Ash. Water Ash.

Stem 30-40 or 50 feet high, and 12-18 inches in diameter ; young branches glabrous,
green, sprinkled with black elliptic dots or warts. Leaflets 3-4 inches long, rugose and
shining above, with tufts of tawny pubescence in the angles of the nerves beneath.
Samaras broadish, of nearly uniform width.

Low grounds, along rivulets, &c. : Northern and Middle States. Fl. April. Fr.

Obs. The wood is very tough and easily separable into layers which
are used for making baskets, chair-bottoms, &c. There are several other
species in the Southern and Western States, but I have not judged it
expedient to swell the work by a particular notice of them.

268 WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

DIVISION III.

APET'ALOUS EX'OGENS.

COROLLA none ; the floral envelopes being in a single series (calyx) , or
sometimes wanting altogether.

ORDER LVL ARISTOLOCHIA'CE^E. (BIRTH WORT FAMILY.)

Herls or shrubby plants, — sometimes nearly stemless, sometimes twining and climbing;
leaves alternate, simple, entire, more or less cordate at base, petiolate, often with leal'-liko
stipules; calyx-tube more or less coherent with the ovary, — the border mostly 3-lobed,
valvatc in the bud ; stamens 6-12, more or less united with the style ; antliers adnate, ex-
trorse ; ovary mostly 6-celled ; fruit a many-seeded 6-celled pod or berry ; seeds with a
large raphe and a minute embryo in a fleshy albumen.

1. AEISTOLO'CHIA, Tournef. BIRTHWORT.

[A Greek name, — having reference to the medical virtues of the plant.]

Calyx colored, tubular, — the lower portion adherent to the ovary, ven-
tricose above the ovary, straight or curved ; limb oblique, 2 - 3-lobed,
— the lower lobe somewhat ligulate or extended to a lip. Stamens 6 ;
the sessile anthers wholly adnate to the back of the short and fleshy
3 - 6-lobed or angled "stigma. Capsule naked, 6-valved. Erect or
twining perennials with lateral or axillary greenish or lurid-purple flow-
ers. Capsule coriaceous, 6-celled, septicidally 6-valved. Seeds numerous

1, A, Serpenta'ria, L. Stem erect or ascending, flexuouse; leaves
fance-oblong, acuminate, entire, cordate (and sometimes auriculate) at
base ; peduncle sub-radical ; calyx-tube much bent.

SNAKE-ROOT ARISTOLOCHIA. Virginia Snake-root.

Root perennial, of numerous rather coarse fibres. Stem herbaceous, 9-15 inches high,
simple or branched from the base, slender, angular, pubescent, leafy above, nearly
naked or with small abortive leaves below. Leaves 2-4 or 5 inches long ; petioles one-
fourth of an inch to near an inch long. Flowers rather large, few or solitary, near the
base of the stem, and often concealed beneath dead leaves, on a flexuose bracteate pe-
duncle 1-2 inches in length. Calyx a dull purplish brown, subcoriaceous, angularly
bent, gibbous at the angle, — the limb dilated and somewhat 3-lobcd. Capsule turbiuato
or roundish-obovoid, somewhat fleshy, pubescent.

Rich woodlands : throughout the United States. Fl. June. Fr. July -August.

Obs. This little plant is to be found in almost every woodland, where
the soil is good ; and its medicinal value, as an aromatic stimulant, ren-
ders it desirable that every person should know or be enabled to recog-
nize it. For this reason I have been induced to give it a placehere.

Another species A. Sipho, L'Her., the Pipe Vine, or Dutchman's
Pipe, is a native of the West and South. It is a tall climber, and is
often cultivated as an ornamental vine. Its singularly curved flowers,
resembling a Dutch Pipe, are very interesting and curious, but the

BIETHWORT FAMILY.

269

coarseness of its foliage — the full-grown leaves being a foot in breadth,
renders it less beautiful than many others of our native climbers.

The Canada Snake-root, or Wild Ginger, Asarum Canadense, L.,
belongs to this family ; it is common in rich woodlands, and is readily
recognized by having a single pair of broad kidney-shaped leaves, and a
single large brownish-purple flower borne in the fork of the long peti-
oles. The root, or, more properly, root-stock, is highly pungent and
aromatic ; it is* largely collected to supply the drug trade ; its taste
somewhat resembles that of ginger, and it is used as a substitute for it
in some parts of the country. *

FIG. 172. Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia Serpentaria) . a. Apod.

270 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ORDEK LYII. PHYTOLACCA'CE^E. (POKEWEED FAMILY.)

Herbs or suffruticose plants, having alternate entire leaves without stipules, and racemed
flowers of 4-5 petaloii] slightly connected sepals, with as many or twice as many stamens,
or sometimes indefinite. Ovary compound (rarely simple), consisting of 10 confluent
1-ovuled carpels ; styles or stigmas distinct. Fruit baccate ; embryo curved round mealy
albumen.
A small Order, and of little interest in Agriculture.

1. PHYTOLAC'CA, Tournef. POKEWEED.

[Gr. Phyton, a plant, and Lachanon, a pot-herb ; the young shoots being so used.]

Flowers perfect. Calyx of five roundish-ovate, petal-like, persistent
sepals. Stamens 5 - 30. Ovary free, composed of 5-12 carpels united
in a ring, with as many short separate styles, in fruit forming a de-
pressed-globose 5-12-celled berry with a single vertical seed in each cell

1. P, decan'dra, L. Stout ; smooth and often purple ; leaves ovate-
oblong ; berries 10-celled, juicy, dark-purple.

DECANDROUS PHYTOLACCA. Poke. Poke-weed. Pigeon-berry. Garget.
Fr. Morelle a Grappes. Germ. Kermesbeere. Span. Yerba carmin.

Root perennial, large, fusiform and branching. Stem herbaceous, 4-6 feet high, stout,
branching, terete or obtusely ribbed below the petioles and branches, finally purpb.
Leaves 5 -10 inches long, acute or acuminate, thin ; petioles half an inch to 2 inches or
more in length. Racemes 3-6 inches long, simple, mostly opposite the leaves, on angular
peduncles 2 - 4 inches long. Sepals white, membranaccous at the margin. .Berries verti-
cally depressed, umbilicate, orbicular, obscurely ribbed, 10-celled, 10-seeded, dark pur-
ple and juicy when mature. Seeds compressed , roundish-reniform.

Rich soils ; on banks, borders of fields, in clearings, &c. : throughout the United States.
Fl. June -September. Fr. August -October.

Obs. The~young shoots of this plant afford a good substitute for As-
paragus ; the root is said to be actively emetic ; and the tincture of the
ripe berries is, or was, a popular remedy for chronic rheumatism. The
mature berries, moreover, have been used by the pastry cook in making
pies of equivocal merit. Notwithstanding all this, the plant is regarded
and treated as a weed by all neat farmers.

ORDER LVIII. CHENOPODIA'CEJE. (GOOSEFOOT FAMILY.)

Chiefly coarse weed-like herbs, with mostly alternate, more or less fleshy leaves, without
stipules ; /towers minute, greenish, without scarious bracts, — often dioecious or polygamous ;
calyx free from the ovary, 2- 5-lobed, imbricated in the bud, persistent, embracing tho
fruit ; stamens usually as many as the calyx-lobes, and opposite them ; otnry 1 -celled,
becoming a thin 1-seeded utricle, or rarely akene in fruit ; embryo (in the genera notice 1
here) coiled in a ring around the mealy albumen.
§ 1. Flowers mostly perfect, or merely polygamous by the want of stamens in some of

them.
€alyx 3- 5-cleft, or parted, the lobes merely keeled in fruit. Seed horizontal (rarely

vertical when the calyx is only 2-3-cleft). " ** 1. CHENororarsi.

Calyx 5-cleft, the base indurated and corky in fruit. Seed horizontal. 2. BETA.
Calyx of 3-5 sepals, dry or juicy in fruit. Utricle membranaceous.

Seed vertical. 3. BUTUM.

^ '2. Flowers dioecious.
Calyx of fertile flower, inflated-tubular, unequally 2-4-toothed. 4. SPIXACIA.

GOOSEFOOT FAMILY.

271

1. CHENOPO'DIUM, L. GOOSEFOOT.

[Or. Chen, a goose, and Pvus,podos, a foot ; in allusion to the form of the leaves.]

Flowers perfect. Calyx 5-cleft, rarely 2 - 4-cleft or parted, with the
lobes sometimes keeled, but not appeudaged nor becoming succulent,
more or less enveloping the depressed fruit. Stamens mostly 5 ; filament
filiform. Styles 2, rarely 3. Seed horizontal (sometimes vertical in No.
3.), lenticular ; embryo partially or fully coiled round. the mealy albumen.
Weeds, mostly annuals, usually with a white mealiness or glandular.
Flowers sessile in small clusters collected in spiked panicles, blooming
throughout the summer.

* Leaves strongly and sharply-toothed (meal/ness obscure or none), on slen-

der petioles ; calyx-lobes slightly keeled.

1. C. hy'bridum, L. Leaves green on both sides, cordate-ovate, acumi-
nate, angularly and remotely dentate ; racemes loosely paniculate, leafless.
HYBRID CHENOPODIUM. Maple-leaved Goosefoot.

Stem 2-4 feet high, rather slender, angular and striate, much branched. Leaves 2-4
inches long, thin, bright green ; petioles 1-2 inches in length. Flowers paniculate, — tluj
sub-divisions cymosc ; terminal panicle long and loose, with divaricate branches. The
smooth calyx-lobes keeled. Seed sharp-edged, the thin pericarp adhering closely to it.

About dwellings and along streams : common. Native of Europe. June - August.

Obs: A. common weed with a heavy odor, like that of Stramonium.

* * Leaves toothed, repand-angled, or sometimes
nearly entire, more or less white-mealy as
well as the flowers ; calyx-lobes distinctly
keeled.

2. C. album, L. Leaves rhomboid-ovate,
erose-dentate, entire and tapering towards
the base, — the upper ones oblong-lanceolate,
entire ; racemes erect, branched, somewhat
leafy.

WHITE CHENOPODIUM. Lamb's Quarters.
Goosefoot.

Germ. Der Gaense-

Fr. Anserine blanche,
fuss.

Root annual. Stem 3-5 or 6 feet high, rather stout,
angular, often striped with yellow and green, some-
times purplish, branched. Leaves 1-3 inches long,
covered with very minute flat or cup-like scales (espe-
cially on the under surface), which give them a glau-
cous or mealy appearance ; petioles 1-2 or 3 inches
long. Flowers in pulverulent clusters. Calyx depressed,

5-anglcd by the prominent keels of the incurved segments, greenish and glaucous.
Seed dark purple or nearly black, lenticular, smooth and shining.

Fw*. 173. An enlarged flower of the Common Goosefoot (Chenopodium album.) 174. The
same divided. 175. A section through the seed, showing the coiled embryo outside the
albumen.

272 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Gardens, yards, and wasto places : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July -August.
Fr. Oct.

Obs. This coarse and rather homely weed has become very extensively
naturalized throughout the United States, and is quite troublesome in
gardens. The young plant is sometimes used as a pot-herb, but would
be gladly dispensed with by all neat gardeners and farmers.

* * * More or less viscid glandular, with a strong balsamic odor, not mealy ;

embryo not forming a complete ring.

3. C. ambrosioi'des, L. Leaves oblong, acute at each end, remotely
dentate ; racemes interrupted, leafy.
AMBROSIA-LIKE CHENOPODIDM. Mexican Tea.

Annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, much branched, angular. Leaves 1-2 inches long, —
those on the stem narrowed to a petiole, those on the branches and racemes lance-linear,
mostly entire, subsessile. Flowers in interrupted sessile clusters, on slender axillary
leafy branches.

Var. anthelminticum, Gray. Perennial (?). Leaves more strongly toothed, the lower
sometimes almost laciniatc pinnatilid. Spikes mostly leafless.

Naturalized from tropical America.

Obs. Most authors consider C. ambrosioi'des and C. anthelmin'ticum
as distinct species ; we follow GRAY in placing the latter as a variety
of the former. Both forms are common in waste places, especially
southward ; they have both a strong odor which is most powerful and
disagreeable in the var. anthelmin'ticum, which is popularly known as
"Worm-seed. The whole plant contains a volatile oil to which the odor
is due. This is most abundant in the seed, or rather in the utricle
which surrounds it. The seeds themselves, and the oil which they yield
are well-known and effective worm-destroying medicines.

There are several other species of this genus to be met with, especially
near the coast, but they are not sufficiently common to be admitted
here. *

2. BETA, Tournef. BEET.

[Celtic, Bet!, red ; or from its fruit resembling the Greek letter B (Beta).]

Cah/x urceolate, 5-cleft, finally indurated at base — the lobes remaining
unchanged. Ovary depressed ; stigmas 2. Utricle immersed in the base
of the calyx and covered by the lobes. Seed horizontal. Herbaceous,
with a large fleshy root formed of concentric zones. Flowers glome-
rate in spikes or paniculate racemes.

1. B. VULGA'RIS, L. Smoothish ; greenish purple ; lower leaves ovate-
oblong, wavy ; upper ones lance-ovate ; flowers in dense sessile axillary
clusters, interruptedly spicate.
COMMON BETA. Beet. Garden-beet. Sugar-beet.
Fr. Bette-rave. Germ. Gemeiner Mangold. Span. Acelga.

Root biennial, fleshy, large (often 3-4 inches in diameter and more than a foot long),
terete, tapering downwards, deep purple or yellowish — exhibiting, on a transverse section,
concentric layers, which seem to have some relation to the number and size or vigor of

GOOSEFOOT FAMILY.

273

176

the radical leaves — perhaps severally formed and nourished by them. Stem 2-4 feet
high, sulcate-angled, somewhat paniculately branching. Radical-leaves 6-12 inches long ;
petioles 4-8 inches long, succulent, channeled above ; stem-l&zves lance-ovate, acute, petio-
late, smaller as mey ascend. Calyx purplish-brown, fleshy at base, finally indurated or
externally corky — the segments keeled, incurved and subsaccate at apex. Seed depressed,
cochleate-orbicular, loosely farinaceous, enveloped in a purple membrane and lodged in a
bony cell at the base of the calyx.
Gardens and lots : cultivated. Native of Southern Euroj>e. Fl. July. Fr. September.

FIG. 176. Summit of a branch of Wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosioides, var. antboJ
minticum).

12*

274 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

06s. Very generally cultivated for its fine esculent root — of which
there are several varieties. That one called " Sugar-beet " — with a
pale, yellowish root — is extensively cultivated, on the continent of Eu-
rope, for the purpose of making sugar, — and has been partially tried in
this country : but while we have the Sugar-maple and Sugar-cane to
supply us, it is not probable the Beet will be much relied upon, for that
object. A large rooted variety of B. Cicta, L.*(a nearly allied species),
called Mangel Wurtzel, or Scarcity Root, is sometimes cultivated for
stock, — and is probably entitled to more attention than it has yet
received from our farmers — who are not generally partial to the culture
of root crops.

3. BLI'TUM, Tournef. ELITE.
[The ancient Greek and Latin name of some pot-herb.]

Caylx 3 - 5-parted, either unchanged or (in the species here noticed) be-
coming berry-like in fruit, not appendaged. Stamens 1 - 5 ; filaments
filiform. Styles, or stigmas, 2. Seed vertical, compressed globular ;
the embryo coiled into a ring quite around the albumen. Hersb with
petioled triangular, or halberd-shaped, and mostly sinuate-toothed leaves.

1. B. capita'tum, L. Stem ascending, branching ; leaves triangular-
hastate, acute, sinuately toothed ; flowers interruptedly spiked ; calyx
pulpy and bright-red in fruit.
CLUSTERED BLITUM. Strawberry Blite.

Annual. Stem about a foot long, diffusely branched. Flowers in dense roundish clusters
which are collected towards the summit of the branches.

On recently turned grounds and dry places, especially westward. June. Also a native
of Europe.

Obs. We are not informed whether this is a troublesome weed, but as it
is rather common in some places, and as it must, from the strawberry-like
appearance of its ripe fruit, attract the notice of the observing farmer,
we give it a place.

4. SPIN A' CIA, Tournef. SPINACH.
[Latin, Spina, a thorn ; the covering of the fruit being often prickly.]

FLOWERS DICECIOUS : STAM. FL. Calyx 4 -5-parted, — the lobes equal.
PISTILLATE FL. Calyx ventricose-tubular, 2 - 3-toothed. Ovary ovoid ;
styles 4, elongated, filiform. Akene included in the turgid indurated
calyx, which is often 2 - 3-horned on the back. Seed vertical, compress-
ed ; embryo annular, surrounding the farinaceous albumen* Herbaceous :
•flowers axillary, glomerate,— the staminate ones in racemose-paniculate
clusters.

1. S. OLERA'CEA, Miller. Leaves petiolate, hastate-lanceolate, often in-
cised at base, or sagittate and entire.
POT-HERB SPINACIA. Spinach, or Spinage.

AMARANTH FAMILY. 275

Fr. Epinard des potagers. Germ. Der Spinat. Span. Espinaca. (

Root annual. Stem 18 inches - 2 feet high, somewhat branched, or often simple. Leaves
2-4 inches long, cuneately tapering to a petiole 1 - 3 or 4 inches in length. Pinners green-
ish. Fruit enclosed in the subglobose persistent calyx, which is scarcely cleft at maturity,
and often not prickly in the variety usually cultivated.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of the east. Fl. June -July. Fr. Aug. -September.

Obs. This well-known pot-herb — said to have been first brought into
Spain by the Arabs — is frequently found in gardens, — especially in the
vicinity of our cities and market towns. The Atriplex hortensis, L., or
Garden Orach, is another pot-herb, belonging to this tribe ; but I ba-
licve it is not much cultivated in the United States.

ORDER LIX. AMARANTA'CE^E. (AMARANTH FAMILY.)

\\Vvd-like herbs; characters nearly as those of the preceding Order— but the flowers
imbricated with dry scarious persistent bracts, which are usually colored, commonly 3 in
number ; calyx of 3 -5 sejMh, dry scarious and persistent.

The plants of this Order arc mostly natives of tropical countries, a number of them
have become naturalized among us as weeds, while others are cultivated as ornamental
plants. Among the best known of the latter are Love Lies Bleeding and Princes' Feather
(both species of AMAKAXTUS), Coxcomb (CELOSJA CRISTATC), and the Globe Amaranth (GoM-
1'iiRUM GLOBOSA).

1. AMRAN'TUS, L. AMARANTH.

[Greek, a, not, maraino, to fade, and anthos, a (lower ; the flowers not changing or fading.]

Flowers monccciously polygamous : calyx of 3 - 5 sepals, mostly colored,
slightly connected at base. Stamens 3-5, free. Stigmas 2-3. The fruit
an ovoid, 1-seeded membranaceous utricle, 2-3-beaked at the apex,
mostly longer than the calyx, opening transversely all round, — the upper
part falling away as a lid. Embryo coiled into a ring around the albu-
men. Coarse annual weeds, with minute flowers in axillary or terminal-
spiked clusters.

* Flowers in terminal and axillary, simple or mostfy panided spikes, green ;
stem unarmed ; stamens and sepals 5.

1. A. hy'bridus, L. Bracts awned, sometimes tinged reddish ; fruit 2 -
3-cleft at the apex, nearly smooth, not exceeding the calyx.

HYBRID AMARANTUS. Green Amaranth. Pigweed.

leaves ovate-oblong or ovate, acute, smooth bright green. Spikes erect, obtuse, in
lojsely branched panicles, the terminal one longer.

2. A. c/Jorosta' chys, Willd. Bracts awn-pointed, rather longer than the
calyx, which is shorter than the 2 - 3-toothed rugose fruit.
GREEN-SPIKED AMARANTUS.

Leaves bright deep green, long-petioled, ovate or rhomlic-ovate. Spikes ascending, acute
(vowdcd in an open panicle, the terminal one long and often nodding.

r>. A. retroflex'us, L. Bracts pointed, twice .the length of the calyx,
which is longer than the rugose fruit.

276

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

REFLEXED AMARANTUS.

and pubescent. Leaoes pale or dull green or rather gliucous, long-petioled ,

. 177. Araarantus retroflexus.

AM AK ANTII FAIL I L Y .

277

ovate or rhombic-ovate, undulate. Spikes crowded in a stiff panicle, acutish, more or
less spreading, green, the terminal one shortish and erect.

Obs. In the confusion which exists concerning this genus, we have
adopted above the characters given by GRAY ; they are probably, as he
suggests, all forms of one species. They are natives of tropical Amer-
ica, and are exceedingly common about waste places and in cultivated
soils, especially in the latter part of summer.

* * Flowers greenish ; stem armed with spines borne in pairs in the axils
of the leaves ; stamens and sepals 5.

178

4 A. spino'sits, L. Stem striate, smoothish, much branched ; leaves
ovate-lanceolate ; axils spinose ; flowers pentandrous, in compound ter-
minal and axillary spikes. «

FIG. 178. The Thorny Amaranth (Amarantus spinosus), a branch.

278 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

THORNY AMARANTUS.

Root annual. Stem 18 inches - 2 or 3 feet high, often purple. Leaves 1-2 inches long,
rather obtuse, mucronate, entire, roughish-dotted, with glaucous blotches beneath ;
petioles about as long as the leaves, with 2 subulate spines at base, one fourth to half an
inch in length. Flowers small, clustered in oblong terete, erect terminal and subtermiiud
spikes.

Cultivated lots, way-sides and waste places : introduced. Native of India. Fl. August.
Fr. October.

Obs. This foreigner is naturalized in many places — especially in the
unfrequented streets and outskirts of our sea-port towns, — and is grad-
ually extending itself into the country. It is a vile nuisance wherever
it prevails, and cannot be too sedulously guarded against.
* * * Flowers in close and small axillary clusters ; stamens and sepals 3,

or the former only 2.

5. A. al'bus, L, Pale green and smooth, much branched ; leaves obo-
vate and spatulate-oblong. emarginate, setaceously mucronate ; flowers
triandrous, in small axillary clusters.
WHITE AMARANTHS.

Steml-2 or 3 feet high, rather stout, pale green or whitish, generally much branched
—the principal branches near the base, spreading. Leaves half an inch to an inch and a
half long, entire, narrowed at base to a slender petiole, one fourth of an inch to an inch
and a half long. Flowers pale green, inconspicuous, in small axillary bracteate clusters ;
bracts subulate-lanceolate, spinescently acuminate, longer than the flowers.

Barn-yards, cultivated fields, &c. Fl. August. Fr. September.

Obs. A worthless common -weed, considsred by somo as a native of
this country, but it has all the appearance of a naturalized plant, and
probably came from tropical America.

ORDER LX. POLYGONA'CE^E. (BUCKWHEAT FAMILY.)

Herbs with alternate, usually entire, leaves, with stipules cohering and forming slwatlis
(ochrcaj) around the stem above its swollen joints ; powers generally perfect, with a more
or less persistent 3-6-cleft calyx ; stamens 4-12 inserted on the base of the calyx ; ovary
1-celled, bearing 2- 3 styles, becoming akenc-like in fruit. Seed single, erect, straight, with
the embryo curved or straightish, on the outside of the albumen, or rarely in its centre.
•*Sepals mostly 5.
Embryo curved around one side of the albumen. Cotyledons slender

or flat. 1. POLYGOXUM.

Embryo in the albumen. Cotyledons broad and twisted-plaited. 2. FAGOPYRUM

**Sepals 6.

Fruit 3-anglfd, wingless. 3. RUMEX.

Fruit 3-anglcd, winged at the angles. 4. RHEUM.

1. POLY'GONUM, L. KNOT-WEED.

[Greek, Polys, many, and Gonu, a knee or joint ; the stem being much jointed.]

Calyx often colored, embracing the fruit. Stamens 4-9, mostly 8.
Ovary 1-celled, compressed or triquetrous ; styles 2-3, more or less
united below. Akenes lenticular or triquetrous, according as the styles
are 2 or 3 ; embryo in a groove of the albumen, and curved half wav
around it. Flowers often with sheathing bracts f pedicels articulated.

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. 279

$ 1. Stems more or less erect.

* Flowers in terminal racemes or spikes.

f Sheaths salver-form.

1. P. orienta'le, L. Tall ; hairy ; leaves ovate-acuminate ; sheaths salver-
form, ciliate ; stamens 7.

ORIENTAL POLYGONUM. Bagged Sailor. Prince's Feather.

Annual. Stem 4 - 8 feet high , paniculatcly branched above. Leaves 4-6 inches long,
often subcordate at base ; petioles 1-2 inches in length, somewhat winged by the decur-
rence of the leaves ; stipules tubular with the border spreading or reflexed. Racemes
numerous, 2-3 inches in length, nodding on hirsute peduncles. Flowers bright purple,
rather large, crowded.; pedicels rather longer than the ciliate sheathing bracts.

Gardens and waste grounds. Native of Asia. July -September.

06s. This showy species is sometimes cultivated, and has become
sparingly naturalized* JOHN BARTRAM probably refers to it, in a letter
to Miss GOLDEN, where he says : " The species of Persicary thee men-
tions, is what TOURNEFORT brought from the three churches at the foot
of Mount Ararat."

f f Sheaths cylindrical, not ciliate.

2. P. Peimsylvan'icum, L- Leaves lanceolate ; sheaths smooth, not
ciliate ; spikes oblong, somewhat nodding, on glandular-hispid peduncles ;
stamens 5-8.

PENNSYLVANIAN POLYGONUM.

Root annual. Stem 2-3 or 4 feet high, smooth below, geniculate, with tumid nodes,
panimlately branched above,— the branches glandular-hispid. Isxiixs 3-6 inches long ;
petioles about half an inch long. Stipules scarious. not fringed at summit. Spikes numer-
ous, rather large (1-2 inches long.) Flvwers bright palish-purple or rose-colored, in
crowded fascicles ; pedicels rather longer than the sheathing bracts.

Moist grounds, waste places, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. July- Aug. Fr.
Sept. -Oct.

Obs. This has much general resemblance to the following — usually
growing in company with it — and equally worthless. It is, however, a
stouter plant, and readily distinguished by the characters above noted.
Iff Sheaths ciliate or fringed with bristles.

3. P. Persica'ria, L. Leaves lanceolate, usually marked with a dark
lunate or triangular spot near the middle ; sheaths somewhat pilose,
ciliate at summit ; peduncles smooth ; stamens 6.

PEACH-LEAVED POLYGONUM. Lady's thumb. Spotted Knot-weed.
Fr. Persicaire. Germ. Flohkraut. Span. Persicaria.

Root annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, branching, smooth, often purplish. Leaves 2-4 in-
ches long, tapering at base to a short petiole. Stipules truncate, fringed with bristles one-
fourth to one-third their length. Spikes about an inch long. Sepals purple or bright
crimson. Pedicels about as long as the bracts.

Waste places, road-sides, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept.-
October.

Obs. A very common weed about farm houses, which should be kept
in subjection by every neat farmer.

280

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

A. f,

4. P. Hydropi'per, L. Smooth, very acrid ; leaves lanceolate, pellucid-
dotted, wavy margined ; sheaths ciliate with shortish bristles ; racemes
filiform, flaccid and nodding ; fascicles few-flowered, rather distant ; calyx
glandular-dotted .

FIG. 179. The Pennsylvania!! Polygonum (P. Pcnnsylvanicum.) 180. An enlarged
flower, opened.

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. 28 1

WATER-PEPPER POLYGONUM. Water-pepper. Smart- weed.

Annual. Stem 1-2 feet high, more or less branched, sometimes decumbent, often pur-
plish. Leaves 2-4 inches long, acute at each end, subsessile ; sheaths tubular, somewhat
inflated, hairy, fringed with bristles, )£-% the length of the tube. Racemes 2-4 inches
long, slender and interrupted, at first nodding, tinally erect; fascicles 2 - 4-tlowered ;
flowers greenish with white edges ; pedicels proceeding from bristly -ciliuto sheathing bracts.
Styles 2 - 3 . Achenium flattish or obtusely triangular.

Moist waste grounds : introduced from Europe. Aug. -Sept.

Obs. A worthless weed, as most
of the species are ; and it is, more-
over, a highly acrid plant, some-
times causing obstinate ulcerative
inflammation when incautiously ap-
plied to the skin. The medical
men of the Middle Ages highly
extolled it for its remedial quali-
ties, but it is not used at present.

* * Flcwers axillary, 2-3 together.

5, P. avicula're, L. Stems pro-
cumbent or spreading ; leaves ses-
sile, lanceolate or oblong ; sheaths
lacerate ; stamens 5 - 8 ; akenes
triquetrous.

BIRD POLYGONUM. Knot-grass.
Goose-grass. Door-weed.

Annual. Stem 6 -12 inches long, much
branched and spreading, smooth. Leaves
% an inch to an inch long. Stipules white.
Flowers green, edged with white, and often
tinged with purple, small, subsessile. Fruit
enclosed in the calyx, dull, minutely wrin-
kled or granular under a lens.

Yards and foot-paths. June-Aug*.

Obs. This humble weed is thor-
oughly naturalized, and is one of
the commonest everywhere about
dwellings. There are several vari-
eties, one of which, var. erectum,
is quite common in rich sha-l\'
places ; its stems are nearly erect, 1 - 2 or 3 feet high, with oval leaves
1-2 inches in length.

X-H

FIG. 181. A branch of the Halberd-leaved Tear-thumb (Pclygonum arifolium.)

282

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

\ 2. Stem weak, not twining but somewhat climbing or supported on other
plants by means of the prickles on the angles of the stem and petioles.

6. P. arifo'lium, L. Leaves halberd-shaped, acuminate, on long
petioles ; clusters racemose, few-flowered ; peduncles glandular-hispid ;
stamens 6 ; styles 2 ; fruit lenticular.

ARUM-LEAVED POLYGONUM. Halberd-leaved Tear-thumb.

Root annual. Stem 3-6 feet long, rather coarse, grooved-angled, branching, often pur-
ple. Leaves 2-5 inches long, and 1-3 inches wide, — the midrib and nerves hirsute ; pe-
tioles half an inch to 3 inches long, retrorsely aculeate. Stipules ciliate. Calyx often of 4
connected sepals, purple, with the margins pale red.

Swampy low grounds, along rivulets, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. Aug.
Fr. Sept.

06s. This and the following species
often grow in company, — clamber-
ing over other plants, and forming
entangled bunches. Both are worth-
less, unwelcome weeds, especially
among the second crop of wet mead-
ows. Ditching and draining are the
remedies for the evil.

7. P, sagitta'tum, L. Leaves
arrow-shaped, acute, on short pe-
tioles ; clusters capitate ; peduncles
smooth ; stamens 8 ; styles 3 ; fruit
sharply 3-angled.

SAGITTATE POLYGONUM.
leaved Tear-thumb.

Arrow-

1S2

Root annual. Stem 2-4 feet long, slender,
branching, acutely quadrangular. Leaves 1-3
inches lmig,aud half an inch to an inch wide,
sagittate at base, — the midrib anil petiole re-
trorsely aculeate. Stipules smooth. Sepals
pale red, with the margins nearly white.

Swampy meadows and thickets : Xew
York to Florida. Fl. August. Fr. Septem-
ber.

Obs. Several other species of
Polygonum are met with about our
farms (descriptions of which may be
found in the Floras), — but, as they
are not particularly troublesome,
they are omitted here.

FIG. 182. The Arrow-leaved Tear-thumb (Polygonum sagittatum).

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. 283

2. FAGOPY'RUM, Tournef. BUCKWHEAT.

[So named from its fruit resembling that of the Fagus, or Beech.]

Calyx nearly equally 5-parted ; lobes petal-like, withering and nearly

unchanged in fruit. Stamens 8. Styles 3 ; stigmas capitate. Akene 3-

sided, embraced at base by the persistent calyx ; embryo large, in the

centre of the albumen, which it divides into 2 parts ; cotyledons broad,

foliaceous, plicate and twisted. Annuals with stems finally purple, and

white flower* fasciculate in paniculate racemes.

1. F. ESCULEN'TUM, Moench. Stem erect, paniculately branched, sulcate-

angled, smoothish ; leaves triangular-sagittate or subhastate, acute, pe-

tioled ; racemes compound, terminal and axillary.

ESCULENT FAGOPYRUM. Buckwheat.

Fr. Ble Sarrasin. Germ. Der Buchweitzen. Span. Trigo Sarraceno.

Stem 2-4 feet high, much branched. Leaves 2 -3 or 4 inches long, and 1-2 inches wide,
often a little hastate at base, on petioles 1-2 or 3 inches long ; stipules short, smooth.
Flowers in somewhat paniculate racemes, — the fascicles rather crowded ; pedicels slender,
longish, obscurely articulated above the middle. Sepals mostly white, with tinges of
green and pale purple. Akenes equally and acutely triquetrous, somewhat acuminate,
much longer than the withered sepals, smooth, dark brown when mature, often striately
clouded.

Fields : cultivated. Native of Middle Asia. PL Aug. Fr. Sept. - Oct.

Obs. This is extensively cultivated for its seeds, — the farinaceous
albumen of which affords a delicious article of food, when properly
managed, — and a very sorry one, if unskilfully treated. The glandular
flowers are a favorite resort — and afford a rich reward to the labors — of
the Honey-Bee. This is considered one of the most valuable plants for
plowing in — it growing very rapidly, and succeeding on very poor soils.
It readily escapes from culture, and has become naturalized.

3. RU'MEX, L. DOCK.

[The ancient Latin name, of unknown derivation.]

Flowers sometimes dioecious. Calyx of 6 sepals ; the 3 outer sometimes
united at base, spreading in fruit ; the 3 inner ones larger (valves) in-
creasing after flowering, often bearing a grain-like tubercle on the back.
Stamens 6. Styles 3 ; stigmas pencil-tufted. Akene 3-angled, wingless.
Embryo slightly curved, lying along one side of the albumen. Coarse
perennials with petioles somewhat sheathing at base, and small, mostly
green flowers, verticillate in paniculate racemes.

$ 1. Flowers perfect : herbage bitter.
* Inner sepals entire, and all graniferous.

1. R. cris'pus, L. Radical leaves oblong-lanceolate, mostly acute,
curled or wavy on the margin,; inner sepals large, cordate ; verticils
crowded.

CURLED RUMEX. Sour Dock. Curled Dock. Narrow Dock.

284 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Fr. Patience frisee. Germ. Krauser Ampfer.

Root rather large, fusiform, yellow. Stem 2- 3 or 4 feet high, angular-sulcate, smooth-
ish, paniculately branched above, Radical leaves 8-12 or 15 inches long, and 1 -2 or 3
inches wide ; petioles 2-4 inches long ; the stem-leaves smaller, linear-lanceolate. Flowers
in crowded verticillate fascicles, with scarious involucres at base. Calyx green ; inner
sepals much larger than the outer ones, entire or obsoletoly denticulate near the base, —
each with an ovoid acuminate excrescence, or grain, on the back.

Moist grounds; meadows, &c.: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May -July. Fr.
July - September.

Obs. The radical leaves of this are often used as a pot-herb, or early
" greens ; " but the plant is an unsightly and troublesome weed, — and
has become so extensively naturalized as to require a vigilant attention
to keep it in due subjection.

** Inner sepals dentate, — one principally graniferous.

2. R. obtusifo'lius, L. Kadical leaves subcordate-oblong, obtuse, crenu-
late ; verticils loose and rather distant.

OBTUSE-LEAVED RUMEX. Bitter Dock. Broad-leaved Dock.

Root thickish, branching, brown externally, yellow within. Stem 2-4 feet high, angu-
lar-sulcate, roughish, paniculately branched. Radical leaves 8-12 inches long, and 4- 6
inches wide ; petioles 3-6 inches long. Flowers in interrupted verticillate fascicles. Calyx
green, — the inner sepals with long acute teeth near the base, and one of them bearing a
large grain on the back.

Grass lots ; gardens, meadows, &c.: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June -July.
Fr. August -September.

06s. This species is even more worthless than the preceding ; but —
although completely naturalized — it is not quite so prevalent. The
presence of either imparts a very slovenly appearance to a meadow or
pasture lot.

g 2. Flowers dicecious : herbage acid.

3. R. ACETOS'ELLA, L. Leaves lanceolate-hastate, — the lobes acute,
spreading ; inner sepals entire.

Sheep Sorrel. Field Sorrel.

Fr. Petite Oscille. Germ. Der Sauer Ampfer. Span. Acederilla.

StemQ — 12 or 15 inches high, slender, branching, somewhat angular and furrowed.
Leaves 1-2 inches long, — the lower ones mostly all hastate and on petioles as long or longer
than the leaves — the upper ones on short petioles, and sometimes not hastate. Flowers in
paniculate racemes, finally becoming purple, — the verticils 6 - 8-flowered. Pistillate
plants mostly taller than the staminato.

Sandy fields and pastures ; about old stumps, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl.
May. Fr. August.

Obs. This little species (well known for its acidity,) is often so abun-
dant as to be a nuisance on the farm. Improving the land — especially
by adequate dressings of Lime — is believed to be the best mode of ex-
pelling this, as well as many other obnoxious plants

4. RHE'UM, L. RHUBARB.

[From Rha, the ancient name of the river Volga, — its native region.]

Calyx'of 6 sepals, in a double series, persistent and shrivelling. Stamens
9, arranged in pairs opposite the outer sepals, and singly opposite the

LAUREL FAMILY. 285

inner ones. Styles 3, short ; stigmas large, multifid. Akene triquetrous,
winged at the angles, surrounded at base by the withered calyx. Her-
baceous: leaves chiefly radical, large ; flowers fasciculate, racemose-panic-
ulate.

1. R. RHAPON'TICUM, Ait. Leaves cordate-ovate, rather obtuse, — the
sinus at base dilated ; petioles with a shallow channel above, rounded at
the edges.

HHAPOXTIC RHEUM. Rhubark. Pie Rhubarb.

Root perennial, tuberous, large, reddish-brown, yellow within. Stem 3-5 feet high,
stout, striate-suloate, smoothish, fistular, paniculately branched at summit. Radical
leaves becoming very large (18 inches to 2 feet long), smoothish above,1 pubescent on the
veins beneath; petioles thick and succulent, 4-8 or 10 inches long, — the stem-leaves
smaller, and petioles shorter, as they ascend ; stiimles large, membranaceous, sheathing.
Fl'iii'rr.-s in large terminal racemose panicles, — ihcpedicels fasciculate, slender, one-third
to half an inch long, articulated near the middle. Sepals greenish, with white margins, —
the outer ones rather narrow. Stigmas large, multifid, rellexed.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Scythia. Fl. May. Fr. July -August.

Obs. Frequently cultivated for the sake of its fleshy acid petioles — -
which are used by the pastry cook, in early spring, as a substitute for
fruit, in making pies. The root of other species affords the medicinal
Rhubarb, and this species is cultivated in England for its roots, which
form an inferior kind of the drug.

ORDER LXI. LAURA' CE^. (LAUREL FAMILY.)

Aromatic trees or shrubs with alternate simple leaves, without stiptdes, and clustered often
polygamo-dioecious^/Zowws; calyx of 4-6 colored sepals, imbricated in two rows in the
bud ; stamens definite, usually more numerous than the sepals ; anthers 2-4-cclled, open-
ing by uplifted persistent valves ; style single ; fruit a 1 -seeded berry or drupe. Seed sus-
pended, without albumen.

The tropical plants of this Order are highly interesting, — affording Cinnamon, Cassia
and Camphor ; and also that species of Laurus (L. nobilis, L.) of which the ancients
formed their Laurel wreaths or crowns. The species in the United States are of less im-
portance.

1. SAS'SAFRAS, Nees. SASSAFRAS.

[Altered from Salsafraj, the Spanish name.] **

Flowers dioecious. Sepals 6, membranaceous, united at base, persistent.
STAM. FL. Stamens 9, in three scries, all fertile, — the 3 innermost with
a pair of stipitate glands at base ; anthers introrse, linear, 4-celled.
PISTILLATE FL. Stamens 6, all sterile. Berry on a thickened clavate
fleshly pedicel. Trees with leaves often lobed but the margins entire,
and greenish yellow flowers in corymbose racemes, appearing with the
leaves.

1. S. officina'le, Nees. Leaves ovate or some of them 3-lobed and
cuueate at base ; drupe dark blue ; peduncle purple.

OFFICINAL SASSAFRAS. Sassafras.

286 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. *

Stem 15-40 or 50 foot high, and 6-12 inches (in some rare instances, near 2 feet) in
diameter, branching, — the young branches yellowish and pubescent. Leaves 3-5 inches
long, and 2-4 inches wide, — silky -pubescent when young, finally smooth ; petioles halt' an
inch to an inch long. Flowers from the same buds, and contemporaneous with the leaves.
Sepals oblong, rather obtuse, pale, greenish-yellow. Berries ovoid-oblong.

Woodlands ; fence-rows and old fields : Canada to Florida. Fl. April. Fr. September.

Obs. The bark of this well-known small tree is a powerful, yet pleas-
ant, aromatic stimulant, and possesses valuable medicinal properties ;
which acquired for it, at an early day. in Europe, an exaggerated repu-
tation. An infusion of the roots, or bark of the roots, makes an excel-
lent diet drink. The pith of the young branches contains much mucilage,
and is used to make a wash tor inflamed eyes. We learn, also, from
MICHAUX'S Sylva, that bed steads made of the wood " are never infested
with insects ; " which circumstance — to adopt the language of the
Gazettes — is certainly " important, if true," — and well worthy of notice.

2. BENZO'IN, Nees. FEVER-BUSH.

[A name said to be derived from the Arabic, — expressive of perfume.']

Flowers polygamo-direcious. Sepals 6, connected at base. STAM. FL.
Stamens 9, in three series, — the innermost lobed at the summit, and
gland-bearing at the base ; anthers 2-celled. PISTILLATE FL., with
15-18 alternating filiform and spatulate rudiments of stamens. Drupe
oval ; peduncle not clavate. Shrubs with yellow flowers in small lateral
fascicles (which are surrounded by a deciduous involucre), appearing be-
fore the leaves.

1. B. odorif'erum, Nees. Leaves obovate-oblong, mostly acute, often

cuneate at base ; drupe red, or finally dark purple.

ODORIFEROUS BENZOIN. Spice-wood. Wild Allspice. Fever-bush.

Stem 6 - 8 or 10 feet high ; branches virgate, brittle. Leaves 2-4 inches long, mostly
acnte or with a short acumination (sometimes obtuse and rounded at apex) ; petioles
about half an inch long. Flowers in involucrate clusters of 3-5 from a bud, on pedicels
I - 2 lines long < flower-buds distinct from the leaf-buds,— usually a flower-bud on each
side of the leaf-bud. Sepals greenish-yellow, obovate-oblong, obtuse.

Moist rich low grounds ; borders of thickets, &c. Canada to Florida. Fl. April. Fr.
September.

Obs. This is a strongly aromatic shrub. In early times — before Phy-
sicians were so numerous— a« infusion of the brittle spicy twigs was
much used as a popular remedy, and even as a preventive, of the fevers
which attacked the first settlers ; but it is now chiefly prescribed as a
diet-drink for sickly cows, in the spring of the year.

ORDER LXII. LOKANTHA'CE^E. (MISTLETOE FAMILY.)

Shrubby plants parasitic on trees, having mostly opposite entire thick leaves without stipules
and monoecious or dioecious flmvers in short catkin-like jointed spikes. Calyx-tube (of the
fertile flowers) adherent to the ovary ; bonier obsolete or 3-4-toothed. Stamens sis many
as the calyx-lobes. Fruit a 1-seeded berry. Emhryo small in mucilagir.ous albumen.
Chiefly tropical plants. The Mistletoe of Europe is Viscnm album.

SPURGE FAMILY. 287

1. PHORADEN'DRON, Nutt. MISTLETOE.

[Greek, phor, a thief, and dendron, tree ; because they steal their food from the trees they
grow upon.]

Flowers dioecious, usually several under each short and fleshy bract or
scale, and sunk in the joint. Calyx globular, 3- (rarely 2 - 4-) lobed.
STAMIXATE FL. with a sessile anther at the base of each lobe, transversely
2-celled. Stigma sessile. Berry globular, 1-seeded, with a gummy viscid
pulp. Stem and branches jointed ; flowers greenish, in short axillary
spikes.

1. P, flaves'cens, Nutt. Leaves elliptic-obovate, obtuse, somewhat
longer than the spikes in their axils, somewhat petioled, yellowish-green ;
berries pearly-white.
YELLOWISH PHORADENDRON. Mistletoe. False Mistletoe.

Stem 9-18 inches high, terete, much branched; branches opposite. Leaves %-!}£
inch long, 3-uerved beneath, smooth, fleshy or somewhat leathrey, narrowed at base to a
tbirkish terete petiole 1-2 lines in length. Flowers small.

Branches of trees ; New Jersey, South and West. April.

Obs. This well-known parasite, feeding as it does at the expense of
the trees upon which it fastens itself, is in some places so abundant as to
be injurious to valuable forest trees. In some parts of the West it proves
very troublesome. Doct. Short writes that the severe winters of the few
years just past had killed it out in Kentucky ; but that now it is again
overrunning the Elms, Hickories, Wild Cherries, &c., of that region. *

ORDER LXIIL EUPHORBIA' CE.E. (SPURGE FAMILY.)

Plants usually with an acrid milky juice, mostly simple leaves, with small and deciduous
stipules or none, and various, usually monoecious or dioecious flowers; the fruit of 2-3 or
several 1 - 2-seeded pods united around a central axis, separating when ripe. Seed sus-
pended; embryo in fleshy albumen. Stigmas 2 -3 or more, often forked. Calyx usually
valvate in the bud, sometimes wanting. Petals sometimes present

This large and varied — yet essentially natural Family — comprises upwards of 100
genera, — many of them possessing very active properties, or otherwise curious and inter-
esting. Of those may be mentioned, tho Croton Tiglium, L., which yields the powerful
Croton Oil or Oil of Tiglium,— the Jatropha Manihot, L., which affords the Cassava
and Tapioca, — the Crozophora tinc-toria, Juss., yielding Turnsol, — the Siphonia elastica, -
1'ers., affording the true Caoutchouc or Gum elastic, — the Btixus st-mpervirens, L., afford-
ing the beautiful Box-wood, — the Hura crepitans, L., or curious Sand-box tree, &c., &c.

1. EUPHOR'BIA, L. SPURGE.

[Named after Eupltorbus, physician to King Juba of Mauritania.]

Flowers monoecious, included in a cup-shaped 4 - 5-lobed involucre re-
sembling a calyx or corolla, with glands at its sinuses. STAMINATE FL.
numerous, lining the base of the involucre, each from the axil of a little
bract, and consisting of a single stamen jointed on a pedicel ; anther cells
globular, separate. PISTILLATE FL. solitary, in the middle of the involu-
cre, soon protruded on a long pedicel, consisting of a naked 3-lobed, 3-
celled ovary ; styles 3, bifid. Capsule separating into 3 carpels which

288 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

severally split elastically into 2 valves. Seeds 1 in each carpel. Poly-
morphous herbs, with an acrid milky juice ; peduncles lateral or terminal,
often in umbellate clusters.

$ 1. Leaves opposite, small, serrate, often hairy and falcate, furnished with
awl-shaped or scaly stipules ; stems much branched ; involucres in the forks
or axils ; seeds transversely wrinkled-pitted ; annuals.

1. E. macula'ta, L. Prostrate ; peduncles equalling the petioles,
crowded in lateral clusters ; pod acutely angled, puberulent ; seeds ash-
colored, sharply 4-angled.

SPOTTED EUPHORBIA. Milk Purslane. Spotted Spurge.

Stem 6-12 inches long, much branched from the base and lying close to the ground.
Leaves %- % an inch long, very oblique at the base and serrulate towards the apex, often
with a dark purple spot above ; petioles scarcely a line in length. Involucre small, its
minute glands with a petal-like, white or purplish, somewhat .creiiate margin.

Gravelly places and cultivated grounds. July - October .

Gbs. Yery common everywhere, especially in Indian corn-fields, where
it lies close to the ground, branching from the root in every direction,
and forming a close mat.

2. E. hypericifo'lia, L. Ascending or erect ; peduncles longer than
the petioles, collected in loose, leafy cymes ; pod obtusely angled, smooth ;
seeds blackish, obtusely angled.

HYPEKICUM-LEAVED EUPHORBIA. Black Purslane. Large Spotted
Spurge. Eye-bright.

Stem 9-18 inches high, rather slender and leaning as if top-heavy, with somewhat dichot-
omous spreading branches above, smoothish, often purple. Leaves half an inch to near
an inch and a half long, obliquely ovate-oblong or sub-falcate, rather obtuse, sharply
serrate, nearly entire towards the" base on the rounded or convex side, more or less
pilose with loagish fine hairs, often stained with purple blotches along the midrib ; petioles
scarcely a line in length. Clusters of flowers axillary and dichotomal, pedicellate, forming
small corymbs at the ends of the branches ; appendages of the involucre minute, white,
or purple edged with white, entire.

Sandy fields; pastures, road-sides, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. July-
September. Fr. Scptcmba;1 -October.

Obs. This species is very common in dry pasture fields — especially in
thinnish sandy soils, — and has been suspected of being the cause of saliva-
tion, or slabbering, with which horses are often affected, in the latter
part of summer. I cannot say how much foundation there may be for
the suspicion ; but I have often observed that horses are not apt to eat
much of any acrid or unpalatable p7ant, — and are, moreover, very expert
in selecting esculent herbs from among those which are not so. This
plant is a worthless, obnoxious little weed, — and I believe is best kept
down by improving the soil, and choking it out by more valuable sub-
stitutes.

Besides the species above noticed there are several others, both native
and naturalized, to be found in various parts of the country, but they do
not come within the scope of this work. E, Ipecacuan'hae, />•, is a
perennial species with a large root which possesses powerfully emetic

SPURGE FAMILY. 289

qualities, hence it is called Wild Ipecac. E. La'thyrus, L., the Caper
Spurge, a biennial species, is found in gardens, and is partially natural-
ized ; it has a stout stem 2-3 feet high, with thickish, mostly opposite
leaves ; flowers in umbel-like clusters, the glands on the involucre with 2
short horns ; this is sometimes called Mole Tree, from a popular notion
that it kept moles out of gardens. An allied perennial species with run-
ning root-stocks, E. Esula, L., is naturalized ia some parts of Massachu-
setts, where it is likely to become troublesome.

2. CNIDOSCO'LUS, Pohl. SPURGE-NETTLE.

[Greek, Knide, a nettle, and Skolos, a prickle.]

Flowers monrecious, in a terminal open forking cyme ; the fertile ones
usually in the lower forks. STAMINATE FL. Calyx corolla-like (white),
salver-shaped, 5-lobed. Stamens 10, monadelphous below, the inner ones
longer. PISTILLATE FL. Calyx as in staminate flowers, but 5-parted.
Ovary 3-celled : styles 3, short, somewhat united, many-cleft. Pod 3-
celled, bristly-hairy, 3-seeded, separating into three 2-valved carpels.
Perennial herbs with stinging bristles.

1. C. stimulo'sa, Gray. Stem branching; leaves roundish-heart-
shaped, 3 - 5-lobed, lobes sinuate toothed.
STINGING CNIDOSCOLUS. Spurge-nettle. Tread-softly.

Root long with long branches. Stem 6-18 inches high, and, as well as the leaves,
covered with stinging bristly hairs. Leaves about 2 inches long and somewhat wider.
Sterile flowers about half an inch in length, hairy.

Virginia and southward. Throughout the summer.

Obs. A troublesome weed in light sandy soils, its long branching roots
penetrating 3-5 feet. The prickles produce great irritation for a
short time.

3. EI'CINUS, Tournef. CASTOR-OIL PLANT.

[Latin, Ricinus, a tick, or bug ; from the resemblance of the seeds.]

Flowers monoecious. Calyx 3 - 5-parted, — the lobes valvate in aestiva-
tion. Corolla none. STAMINATE FL. Stamens numerous ; filaments
variously united and much branched ; anthers with the cells distinct
and pendulous from the apex of the filament. Ovary globose, 3-celled ;
cells 1-ovuled ; style short ; stigmas 3, deeply 2-parted, oblong, colored,
plumose. Capsule mostly echinate, 3-lobed ; cells or carpels 1-oeeded.
1. R. GOMMU'NIS, L. Stem herbaceous, hoary; leaves alternate, petio-
late, peltate, palmately 5 - 7-lobed, — the lobes lanceolate, glandular-ser-
rate ; capsule echinate.

COMMON RICINUS. Castor-oil Bean. Palma Christi.
Fr. Le Eicin ordinaire. Germ. Der Wunderbaum. Span. Ricino.

Root annual. Stem 4-6 feet high, stout, branched, terete, nodose, smooth, mostly
purplish and covered with a glaucous powder. Leaves 6-12 inches across, palmate-lobed,

13

290

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

183

A.H.

—the undivided portion nearly orbicular , peHol&s 3-6 inches long, with a gland at apex,
and sometimes 1, 2 or 3 near the base ; stipule opposite to each leaf, embracing the stem,
caducous. Flowers terminal, paniculate — the staminate below, the pistillate above, all on
articulated pedicels. Calyx yellowish-green. Pistils purple and glaucous. Capsule cover-
ed with subulate points. Seeds subovoid. smooth, mottled.

Gardens and fields ; cultivated. Native of India. Fl. July - September . Fr. Sept. -
October.

06s. Extensively cultivated in the south and west, and even as far
north as New Jersey, for the valuable medicine, Castor-oil, which is
afforded by its seeds. In our climate it is an annual, but in tropical
countries it is perennial, and forms a small tree 30-40 feet in height.
Often seen in gardens and door-yards as an ornamental plant.

FIG. 183. Summit of the Spurge-nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosa), with the staminate
flowers above and the fertile ones in the axils of the leaves below.

NETTLE FAMILY.

291

ORDER LXIV. URTICA'CEJS. (NETTLE FAMILY.)

Herbs, shrubs or trees, with stipules and monoecious, dioecious or sometimes perfect flowers,
having a regular calyx, free from the 1-celled (rarely 2-celled) ovary, which forms a 1-
seeAed fruit. Embryo in the albumen, when this is present ; radicle pointing upwards.
Stamens as many as the lobes of the calyx and opposite to them, or sometimes fewer.

A comprehensive and very important Order, — containing plants of various, and, in some
instances, of remarkably dissimilar aspect and properties ; such as the Nettle and the
Mulberry— the bitter Hop and the luscious Fig— the nutritious Bread-fruit (Artocarpus
incisa, L. f.) and the deadly Upas (Antiaris toxicaria, Leschen). The celebrated Cow-tree
or Palo de Vaca fBrosimum Galactodendron, Don.), of South America, " which yields a
copious supply 01 rich and wholesome milk," belongs to this Order ; as also does the yel-
low dye-wood, called Fustic (Maclura tinctoria, Don)— and the wide-spreading Banyan-
tree (Ficus religiosa, L.), of India. A species of Ficus (F. elastica, Roxb.) also yields
Caoutchouc, or Gum elastic.

We follow Doctor Gray in the arrangement of this Order ; he places as sub-families of
this, several which have been considered as families.

1. ELM SUB-FAMILY.

Trees with watery juice, alternate leeaves and perfect or monoeciously polygamous flowers.

Styles or stigmas 2. Fruit a samara or drupe. Seed suspended.

Flowers mostly perfect. Anthers extrorse. Ovary 2-celled, 2-ovuled.

Fruit 1-celled, dry, winged. 1. ULMUS.

Flowers polygamous. Anthers introrse. Ovary 1-celled.

Fruit a small drupe. 2. CELTIS.

2. BREAD-FRUIT AND FIG SUB-FAMILY.

Trees or shrubs with milky or colored juice and alternate leaves ; monoe-
cious or dioecious flowers, in catkin-like heads or spikes, the parts of
the fertile ones becoming fleshy in fruit, or both kinds in a fleshy
receptacle. Styles 1-2. Ovary 1- (rarely 2-) celled, ripening as a dry
akene. Inner bark often tough and fibrous.
Flowers minute, enclosed in a pear-shaped receptacle which is pulpy

when ripe.
Flowers monoecious ; both kinds in separate catkin-like spikes, the calyx

&c. , becoming berry-like in fruit. Stamens 4, styles 2.
Flowers dioecious ; the fertile ones collected in a close round head,

which is fleshy in fruit.
Sterile flowers in spikes. Unarmed.
Sterile flowers in racemes. Branches spiny.

3. Ficus.

4. MORUS.

5. BROUSSONETIA.

6. MACLORA.

3. NETTLE SUB-FAMILY.

Herbs with a watery juice, a tough fibrous bark, and opposite or alternate

leaves. Flowers monoecious or dioecious in spikes, racemes, &c. , not in

catkins. Ovary 1-celled, forming an akene in fruit. Stylel. Stamens

as many as the sepals.

Sepals 4, in both sterile and fertile flowers.

Plant beset with stinging bristles.

7. URTICA.

4. HEMP SUB-FAMILY.

Herbs with a watery juice, a tough fibrous bark and mostly opposite
lobed or divided leaves. Flowers dioecious ; the sterile in panicles or
racemes, with 5 sepals and 5 stamens ; the fertile crowded, with only
one sepal which embraces the ovary. Stigmas 2, long.
Erect, annual. Fertile flowers in spiked clusters.
Leaves 5 -7 divided.

Twining from a perennial root. Fertile flowers in short membranace-
ous catkins. Leaves 3 -5-lobed.

8. CANNABB.

9. HUMULUS.

292 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. UL'MUS, L. ELM.

[An ancient Latin name ; of obscure etymology.]

Calyx membranaceous, turbinate-campanulate, 4-9-cleft. Stamens as
many as the lobes of the calyx. Ovary compressed, ovate, 2-celled, with
a single ovule suspended from the summit of each cell ; styles 2, diverg-
ing, stigmatose on the inner side. Samara membranaceous, compressed,
winged all round, by abortion 1-celled and 1-seeded. Albumen none ;
embryo straight ; the cotyledons large. Flowers purplish-brown in lat-
eral clusters preceding the leaves.

1, U. America'na, L. Leaves ovate, oblong, smooth above, very un-
equal at base, rather simply serrate, — the serratures uncinately acumi-
nate ; flowers conspicuously pedicellate, in loose fascicles ; samara oval,
densely villous-ciliate on the margin.

AMERICAN ULMUS. White Elm. Weeping Elm.

Stem 60-80 feet or more in height, and 2-3 or 4 feet in diameter ; branches long and
spreading, or often rather drooping. Leaves 3-5 inches in length, acuminate ; petioles one
fourth to half an inch long, smoothish. Stipules smooth. Styles pubescent, nearly white.
Samara emarginate or bifid at apex between the 2 styles — the segments incurved so as
to leave an apparent foramen through the wing ; margin densely fringed with soft white
hairs.

Banks of streams, borders of swamps, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. April.
Fr. June.

Obs. This fine large tree is the species so much cultivated as a shade
tree in New England. The noble avenues of Elms at New Haven,
Conn., are the admiration of all visitors ; and nothing is required but a
little attention at the proper season, to have every village in the land
similarly adorned. Why will not the people of all our American towns
and villages learn to do that much for the sake of taste and their own
future comfort?

2. II, ful'va, MX. Leaves oval or obovate-oblong, conspicuously acu-
minate, very scabrous above, rather unequal and somewhat cordate at
base, doubly serrate ; buds clothed with a fulvous tomentum ; flowers
in dense subsessile fascicles ; samara orbicular, naked on the margin.
TAWNY ULMUS. Slippery Elm. Red Elm.

Stem 30-50 feet high, and 12-18 inches in diameter ; branches virgate. Leaves 4-6 or
8 inches long — the upper surface remarkably rough, the under surface tomcntose-pubos-
cent, especially along the midrib and nerves ; petioles about one third of an inch long,
pubescent. Stipules pilose. Calyx about 7-cleft ; lobes obtuse, clothed and ciliate with a
reddish-tawny pubescence. Stamens often 7, much exserted. Styles glandular-pubescent,
purple. Samara radiately veined, on a slender pedicel the length of the calyx, cleft at
apex between the styles — the segments acuminate and so incurved and over-lapped as to
give the margin the appearance of being entire at apex.

Rich low grounds, fence-rows, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. April. Fr. June.

Obs. The inner bark of this species contains a large quantity of mu-
cilage,— which has caused it to be added to the materia medica in our
shops. The military on the Canada frontier, during the last war, fed
their horses with it, when destitute of the usual forage, and found it a

NETTLE FAMILY.

293

tolerable substitute for hay. The tree being smaller, and the branches
straggling, it does not answer for a shade tree so well as the preceding.
Besides these species, IT, racemo'sa, Thomas, the Corky White Elm,
with racemed flowers and the bark often with corky ridges, is found in
the North and West ; and U, ala'ta, MX., the Winged Elm, or Wa-
hoo, with small leaves and corky-winged branches, at the South and
South-west. U. CAMPES'TRIS, L., the English Elm, is frequently culti-
vated. It is a less graceful tree than our American Elm, having more
the sturdy habit of an oak. Its wood is very valuable, as it is not
liable to split or warp.

2. CEL'TIS, Tournef. NETTLE-TREE.

[An ancient name of the Lotus ; applied to this genus .]

Flowers monoeciously polygamous. Calyx 5 - 6-parted, persistent. Sta-
mens as many as the sepals. Ovary ovoid, 1-celled, with a single sus-
pended ovule ; stigmas 2, elongated, recurved. Drupe globose/ fleshy,
smooth, 1-seeded. Cotyledons conduplicate, enclosing a scanty gelati-
nous central albumen. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs, dull, green-
ish-yellow.

1. C. occidenta'lis, L. Leaves obliquely ovate, acuminate, serrate ;
fruit on a peduncle once or twice the length of the petiole, reddish or
yellow, turning dark purple at maturity.

FIG. 184. Flowers of the Nettle-tree (Celtis occidentals) . 185. Fruit and developed
leaves, a. An enlarged flower opened to show the embryo.

294 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

WESTERN CELTIS. Nettle-tree. Sugar-berry. Hack-berry. Many-
berry.

Stem 20 - 60 or 80 feet high. Leaves 2 -4 or 5 inches long, more or less scabrous on the
upper surface, and somewhat hairy beneath, finally coriaceous ; petioles one third or half
an inch in length. Sepals dull greenish-yellow, oblong-lanceolate. Stigmas densely pubes-
cent, long, divaricate, with the points often incurved. Drupe edible, the pulpy coat thin,
sweetish.

Rich light soils : throughout the United States. Fl. May. Ft: September.

Obs. A widely distributed but not very abundant tree, at least in the
northern States, which seems to vary considerably ; a low form found
at the South is the C. pumila, Pursh ; a variety with thick leaves is 0.
crassifolia, Lam. According to Michaux, the wood is but little es-
teemed, as it is not durable when exposed to the weather. It is said
however to afford a fine charcoal.

3. FI'CUS, Tournef. FIG.

[An ancient name ; of obscure derivation.]

Receptacle pyriform or subglobose, fleshy, concealing the florets in a
central cavity, — the orifice at apex, close by small scales. Florets
numerous, very minute, pedicellate, crowded on the internal surface of
the receptacle, dioecious, or the upper ones staminate and the others
pistillate. STAMINATE FL. Calyx 3-parted. Stamens 3, opposite the
calyx-segments ; anthers incumbent, 2-celled. PISTILLATE FL. Calyx
5-cleft, — the tube decurrent on the pedicel. Ovary seated somewhat
laterally on a short stipe, 1-celled; style lateral, filiform ; stigma bifid.
1. F. CARI'CA, L. Leaves cordate at base, 3-5-lobed, repand-dentate,
lobes obtuse, scabrous above, pubescent beneath ; receptacles pyriform,
glabrous.

CARIAN Ficus. Fig-tree.
Fr. Le Figuier. Germ. Der Feigenbaum. Span. Higuera.

Stem 6-10 or 12 feet high — a stout branching shrub, with an acrid milky juice. Leaves
6-9 inches long, deeply 3-lobed with 2 shorter side-lobes ; petioles 3-5 or 6 inches long,
with large convolute stipules at base. Receptacles axillary, turbiuate or pear-shaped, about
an inch in diameter.

Cultivated. Native of Caria, in Asia. Fl. July. Fr.

Obs. This shrub requires the shelter of a green-house, in the middle
and northern States, — where is produces freely. In the southern States
it succeeds in the open air. The inflorescence, or position of the flow-
ers, of the Fig — (concealed within the body of what is commonly re-
garded as the fruit,) is very remarkable ; — being just the reverse of
that of the Strawberry, — in which the minute pistils are scattered over
the exterior of the enlarging succulent receptacle. In all the spcimens
I have examined the florets appear to be pistillate.

4. MO 'BUS, Tournef. MULBERRY.

[Greek, Morea, tae Mulberry.]

Flowers monoecious or dioecious in separate axillary catkin-like spikes.
Calyx 4-parted, — the segments ovate. Stamens 4. Ovary sessile, ovoid,

NETTLE FAMILY. 295

2-celled ; one of the cells smaller and disappearing ; stigmas 2, terminal,
filiform, villous on the inner side. Akene compressed, ovate, covered by
the persistent succulent calyx, — the whole spike thus becoming a com-
pound terete oblong berry.

1. M, ru'bra, L. Leaves cordate-ovate and acuminate, or some-
times 2 - 3-lobed, serrate, scabrous above, pubescent beneath ; fruit
dark purple.

BED MORUS. Bed Mulberry.

Stem usually 15 - 25 feet high, and 9-18 inches in diameter (in some instances consider-
ably taller and larger), with numerous spreading branches at summit. Leaves 4-6 or 8
inches long, more or less cordate (on young plants often 2-3 lobed, and very scabrous
above), dentate-serrate, with an entire acumination, deep green and roughish on the
upper surface, softly, and, while young, somewhat hoary-pubescent beneath, especially
along the nerves ; petioles 1 — 2 or 3 inches long, with linear membranaceous caducous
stipules at base. Flowers greenish, small, numerous, in axillary pedunculate ament-like
spikes — sometimes dioecious, and not unfrequently the spikes are androgynous. Staminate
spikes 1-near 2 inches long. Pistillate spilces more densely flowered, cylindric, about an
inch long, becoming juicy, dark purple and pleasantly esculent when mature. Peduncle
of the berry about an inch long.

Rich woodlands, fence-rows, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. June-
July.

Obs. The wood of this small tree is exceedingly durable, and highly
valued for making posts, &c. The leaves have been successfully used
for feeding silk-worms ; but the product is said to be not so fine as that
afforded by the White Mulberry. The fruit is more admired than that
of any other species.

2. M. al'bt, L. Leaves obliquely cordate-ovate, and somewhat lobed,
acute or sub-acuminate, serrate, smoothish and shining ; fruit mostly
yellowish-white.

WHITE MORUS. — White Mulberry.

Fr. Murier-blanc. Ger. Weisse Maulbeere. Span. Morera.

Stem 10-20 or 25 feet high, and 8-12 or 15 inches in diameter, much branched at sum-
mit. Leaves 2-4 inches long (sometimes, especially in young plants, 2-3 times that size) ,
unequally crenate-serrate, often partially lobed, smoothish, shiniug and yellowish-green ;
petioles half an inch to an inch long, with lance-linear stipules at base. Pistillate spikes
shorter and smaller than in the preceding. Fruit pale yellow or straw color when mature
— rarely dark purple or nearly black.

About houses, fence-rows, £c.: introduced. Native of China, Persia, &c. Fl. May. Fr.
June -July.

Obs. This species was introduced nearly a century since, with a
view to the feeding of Silk-worms, and the production of silk. The
silk-culture, however, was soon abandoned, — for, in that early stage of
the colonies, the sparsely settled Agriculturists found it more important
to multiply mammiferous animals, rather than Insects : but the tree be-
came partially naturalized, — and is still frequently to be met with.
About twenty years ago, a variety of the White Mulberry — of smaller
stature, and much larger leaves, (well known by the name of Morus
multicaulis) , was introduced, as being still better adapted to the feed-
ing of Silk-worms ; and soon afterwards, a scene of speculation and in-

296

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

fatuation was exhibited, throughout the United States, which bade
defiance to all the suggestions of reason and common sense. There was
a sort of Multicaulis monomania (or Moro-mania /) — so universal, and
engrossing, that it became absolutely ludicrous ; and was scarcely ex-
ceeded in absurdity, by the nearly contemporaneous epidemic, which
afflicted the nation in reference to its financial concerns. Almost every
body was eagerly engaged in cultivating myriads of trees, to sell, —
without stopping to enquire where they could be sold, or who would
be likely to buy ! At some future day — and under different circum-
stances,— it is quite probable that a portion of our population will find
the Silk-culture an eligible business, and the Morus multicaulis a valua-
ble little tree. The European Black Mulberry, M. NI'GRA, L., is some-
times cultivated.

15. BROUSSONE'TIA, Vent. PAPER MULBERRY.

[Dedicated to P. N. V. Broussond, a French Naturalist.]

Mowers dio3cious. STAMINATE FL. in an ament-like spike, bracteate.
Calyx 4-parted. PISTILLATE FL., capitate, densely crowded on a glo-
bose receptacle, and mixed with hairy scales. Calyx urceolate, 3-4-
toothed. Ovary 1-celled, pedicellate ; style filiform, excentric, stigma-
tose on one side. Akene softly fleshy, elevated on the baccate peclicel,
which is surrounded at base by the calyx.

1. B. PAPYRIF'ERA, Vent. Leaves
scabrous above, pubescent beneath,
— those on the young branches lob-
ed, on the older ones mostly undivi-
ded, roundish-ovate or sub-cordate,
acuminate, serrate.
PAPER-PRODUCING BROUSSOXETIA. —
Paper Mulberry.

Stem 15-20 or 25 feet high, and 8-12 or
15 inches in diameter, with spreading bran-
ches,— the branches coated with a remark-
ably tough bark. Leaves 3-6 or 8 inches
long ; petioles 1-3 inches long. Staminate
spikes about 2 inches long, resembling loose
aments. Pistillate flowers in a dense capitate
cluster.

About houses : introduced. Native of
Japan and the South Sea Islands. Fl. May.
Fr. Sept.

Obs. This tree was introduced

some years since, as a shade-tree ; but is inferior to many others in beauty,
— and is now rarely planted for that purpose. The roots are so prolific
in suckers, as to be quite a nuisance, about yards and gardens. The

186

FIG. 186. A branch of the Paper Mulberry (Broussouctia papyrifera), reduced, with
fertile aments and variously lobed leaves

NETTLE FAMILY. 297

leaves upon the young snoots and suckers present a remarkable diversity
of shape. The pistillate tree is much less common than the staminate ;
and is even more objectionable than that, in streets, on account of the
dirty appearance produced by the fallen fruit. The inner bark of this
tree affords the South Sea Islanders a kind of tough paper, which they
use as substitute for cloth.

6. MACLU'RA, Nutt. OSAGE-ORANGE.

[Xamed in honor of William Maclure, — a munificent patron of Natural Science.]

FLOWERS dioecious. STAMINATE FL. racemose. Calyx 4-parted. PISTIL-
LATE FL., capitate, densely crowded, and coalesced, on a globose fleshy
receptacle. Sepals 4, in opposite pairs, oblong, cucullate-concave, fleshy.
Ovary sessile, 1-celled ; style terminal, bifid, — one branch elongated and
much exserted, stigmatose on the inner side — the other branch small or
abortive. Akenes severally embraced by the fleshy sepals, which are all co-
alesced into a large compound globose lactescent berry, with a glabrous,
but uneven, verrucose or irregularly tessellated surface. Small trees, with
branches armed with very sharp slender spines.

1. M, auranti'aca, Nu't. Leaves lance-ovate, acuminate, entire, gla-
brous and shining above, roughish-puberulent beneath ; berry subsessile,
axillary, solitary.
ORANGE-LIKE MACLURA. Osage-orange. Bow-wood. Bodock.

Ktem 15-25 or 30 feet high, with a much-branched bushy top, — the branches virgate,
but often inclined to droop or curve downwards, armed with small and very sharp spines.
Leaves 4-6 inches long, subcoriaceous, mucronate by the extended midrib ; petioles 1-2
inches long ; stipules oblong, somewhat cucullate, caducous. Pistillate flowers coalesced
in a solid globose head, which is 2 to near 3 inches in diameter, when fully grown ; styles
near an inch long, villous and finally purplish.

youth Western States. Fl. May- June. Ft: Sept. -Oct.

06s. The roots of this tree are of a bright orange color, and so abun-
dant and extensive as to be troublesome in gardens. The wood is very
hard and durable. It was highly valued by the aborigines as a mate-
rial for making bows, from which fact it was called by the early French
settlers Bois d'arc, which has degenerated into Bodock in some parts of
the country. Silk-worms feed greedily upon its leaves ; and the plant,
properly managed, makes a very neat and effective hedge.

7. URTI'CA, L. NETTLE.

[Latin, uro, to burn, tactus, touch ; from the sensation produced by touching it.]

Flowers morwcious or dioecious, in panicled racemes or spikes, or close
clusters. STAM. FL. Sepals 4. Stamens 4, inserted around the cup-
shaped rudiments of a pistil. PISTILLATE FL. Sepals 4, in opposite
pairs ; the outer pair much smaller, somewhat keeled, spreading ; the
two inner flat or concave, in fruit membranaceous and enclosing the
straight and erect ovate flattened akene. Stigma pencil- tufted. Plaute
with opposite leaves, greenish flowers, and armed with stinging hairs.
13*

298

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. U. dioi'ca, L. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, conspicuously acuminate, cor-
date at base, coarsely and acutely serrate ; flowers often dioecious, in
clustered paniculate spikes longer than the petioles.
DIOICOUS URTICA. Nettle. Stinging-nettle.
Fr. Grande Ortie. Germ. Die Brenuessel. Span. Ortiga.

Root perennial. Stem 2-3 feet high, obtusely 4-angled, branching, very hispid. Leaves
2 or 3-5 inches in length ; petioles half an inch to 2 inches long, hirsute ; stipules linear-
lanceolate. Flowers small, in interrupted- clusters, on slender axillary branching hispid
spikes.

About houses, waste places, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe and Asia. Fl. Juiie-
Aug. Fr. Aug. -Sept.

188

2. U. u'rens, L. Leaves elliptical or ovate, coarsely and deeply serrate
with spreading teeth ; flowers in simple capitate clusters, on peduncles,
shorter than the slender petioles.

FIG. 187. The small Stinging-nettle (Urtica urens).
pistillate one, botli enlarged.

188. A staminate flower. 189. A

NETTLE FAMILY. _ 299

STINGING URTICA. Small Stinging-nettle.

Annual. Stem 8-12 inches high, erect. Leaves 1-2 inches long, obtuse or somewhat
cordate at the base.
Waste places. New York State and Eastward.

Obs. These naturalized weeds, so well known for their stinging quali-
ties, are apt, especially the first mentioned, to become troublesome where
they are allowed to flourish. The quaint old herbalist, CULPEPPER,
remarks " that they may be found by feeling on the darkest night." In
some parts of England nettles are used- as a pot-herb, and the tough
bark is said to afford a thread superior in durability to that from flax.
There is a large-leaved native nettle which is now placed in another ge-
nus (Lapor'tea canaden'sis, Gavdich), the Wood-nettle, which is not
inclined to intrude on cultivated lands.

8. CAN'NABIS, Tournef. HEMP.

[An ancient Greek name, — of obscure etymology.]

STAMINATE FL., in axillary compound racemes, or panicles with 5 sepals
and 5 drooping stamens. PISTILLATE FL., spicate-glomerate, with single
bracts. Calyx of a single membranaceous sepal, folded around the sub-
globose ovary. Nut 1-celled, 2-valved, indehiscent.

1. C. SATI'VA, L. Leaves digitate, petiolate ; leaflets 5 - 7, lanceolate,
serrate.

CULTIVATED CANNABIS. Hemp.

Ft: Le Chanvre. Germ. Der Hauf. Span. Canamo.

Root annual. Stem 5 - 8 or 10 feet high, obtusely angular and sulcate, scabrous-pubes-
cent, often branched. Leaves mostly opposite (the upper ones often alternate) ; leaflets
3-5 inches long (the outside or lateral ones much smaller than the others, and often en-
tire— especially 011 the staminate plant) ; common petioles 1-2 or 3 inches long ; stipules
lanceolate. Staminate. flowers greenish, in loose pedunculate axillary clusters, rather
crowded in a kind of dense panicle at summit. Pistillate flowers axillary, sessile, mostly
in pairs. Calyx subglobose, acuminate, pubescent, green, slit on one side. Stigmas long,
slender, densely pubescent, somewhat tawny. NuA ovoid, slightly compressed, smooth,
greenish, reticulated with whitish veins, enclosed in the persistent calyx.

Cultivated. Native of Persia. Fl. June. Fr. Aug.

Obs. This plant — so important in Commerce and the Arts — is culti-
vated on a large scale in Kentucky and some others of the fertile west-
ern States ; but only to a limited extent in the middle and northern
States.

9. HU'MULUS, L. HOP.

[Latin, Humus, moist earth, or mould ; in allusion to its place of growth.]

STAMINATE FL. in loose oblong axillary-panicles with 5 sepals, and 5
erect stamens. PISTILLATE FL. in short axillary and solitary strobile-
like aments ; bracts foliaceous, imbricated in several rows, 2-flowered.
Calyx a single membranaceous scale-like enlarging sepal, its folded marr

300

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

gin embracing the ovary. Nuts roundish-ovoid, inclosed in the persis-
tent truncate calyx. Cotyledons linear, spirally involute.

1. H. Lu'pulns, L. Leaves mostly 3-lobed, cordate at base, petiolate,
scabrous.

HOP. Hop-vine.

Fr. Houblon. Germ. Der Hopfen. Span. Hoblon.

Root perennial, branching. Stem 10-15 or 20 feet long, several from the same root (or
rhizoma), slender, volubile. somewhat angular and mostly twisted, retrorsely aculeate,
with slender branches above. Leaves 3-5 inches long, generally opposite — the upper
ones often alternate and not lobed, — all very scabrous on the upper surface ; petioles 1-2
or 3 inches long ; stipules ovate-lanceolate, connate below, free at summit. Staminate
flowers in oblong panicles. Pistillate flowers in pendulous ovoid-oblong bracteate strobiles,
or aments, which are proverbially numerous and crowded (" as thick as hops "), 1-2 in-
ches long at maturity ; bracts orbicular or broadly-ovate, with a short abrupt acumina-
tion.

Cultivated, but indigenous in most parts of the United States.
ber.

Fl. July. Fr. Septom-

Obs. The value of the Cones, or Aments, of the pistillate plant, is
well known to every house-keeper ; and it is cultivated for culinary

FIG. 190. The Hop (Humulus Lupulus), a branch of a staminate plant, reduced. 191. A
separate staminate flower. 192. A young pistillate ament. 193. A ripe ament or strobile.
194. A much magnified grain of Lupulin.

TLANE-TKEE FAMILY. 301

•

purposes, in almost every garden. The medicinal virtues of the cones
are also very considerable ; they reside in the little resinous atoms (lupu-
lin), which abound near the base of the scales. The hops for the brew-
eries are cultivated on a large scale, in some districts of the middle and
northern States— particularly in Western New York, — where, it is said,
they are a profitable crop. The staminate plant is of so little account,
that it is scarcely known except to the botanists.

ORDER LXY. PLATANA'CE^. (PLANE-TREE FAMILY.)

Trees, with a watery juice, and alternate, petiolate, palmately -nerved and lobed leaves with
sheathing, deciduous stipules and petioles which are tumid and hollow at base, concealing
the young buds. Flowers monoecious, minute and inconspicuous, densely crowded on
globose receptacles, — both kinds destitute of floral envelopes ; heads pendulous on long
slender peduncles. STAMIXATE FL. Stamens numerous, irregularly mixed with subcla-
vate scales, densely crowded. PISTILLATE FL. Ovaries numerous, obconic or filiform-cla-
vate, densely cnwded, mixed with spatulate scales (abortive ovaries); style elongated,
subulate, stigmatose on one side, near the apex. Fruit a 1-celled 1-seeded clavate coria-
ceous little nut,— the base surrounded with pappus-like hairs. Seed cylindric-oblong,
pendulous ; embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen.

An Order consisting of the single genus here given,— and the generic character, of course,
the same as that of the Order.

1. PLAT' ANUS, L. PLANE-TREE.

[Greek, Platys, broad ; in allusion to its wide-spreading branches and foliage.]

1. P. OCCIDENTA'LIS, L. Leaves roundish-pentagonal, acuminate,
obscurely palmate-lobed, sinuate-dentate, pubescent beneath.

WESTERN PLATANUS. Button-wood. Sycamore. Plane-tree.

Stem 60-100 feet high, and 2-4 or 5 feet or more, in diameter, with large spreading1
branches, and a smoothish cinereous bark, which exfoliates in broad thinnish plates.
Leaves 3- 6 or 8 inches long, and wider than long, — the base at first. truncate, finally sub-
cordate, obscurely palmate or augulate-lobed, unequally sinuate-dentate with the teeth
acuminate, loosely clothed with a hoary branching deciduous pubescence ; petioles 1-3
inches in length, tumid and hollow at base, covering the young bud which is formed
within and occupies the cavity ; stipules somewhat salver-form, sheathing the young bran-
ches immediately above the petioles, — the limb spreading, foliaceous, coarsely and un-
equally toothed. Staminate heads or globes small, on peduncles 1-2 inches long, deciduous.
Pistillate heads about an inch in diameter, pendulous on slender terete peduncles 3-5 in-
ches long, persistent. Nuts about one-third of an inch long, slender, subterete, clavate,
mucronate, — the base acute and invested with tawny pappus-like hairs.

Banks of streams, road-sides, &c. : throughout the United States. FL April-May. Fr.
Oct.

Obs. This stately tree — originating from a very small seed — often
attains to a larger size than any other, east of the Rocky Mountains.
It is sometimes planted for shade, — but becomes rather large for streets,
or to stand near houses. The timber is not much esteemed, — though
occasionally sawed into joists, and other lumber. For several years

802 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

P

past, the trees (or, at least, the branches), in the spring, appeared every-
where to be diseased and dying ; but they have still recovered again, more
or less completely, in the course of the summer. The cause of this phe-
nomenon,— (whether insects, as some suppose — or late unseasonable
frosts, as I incline to think,) has not been satisfactorily determined.

ORDER LXYI. JUGLANDA'CE^}. (WALNUT FAMILY.)

Trees with a resinous sweet or watery juice, alternate and odd-pinnate leaves, without sti-
pules, and monoecious flowers, — the stamindte ones with an irregular calyx in aments, — the
pistillate ones with a regular 3-5-lobed calyx, adherent to the ovary, solitary or in small
clusters. Ovary incompletely 2 -4-celled, with but one ovule, becoming infruitu kind of dry
drupe, with a bony endocarp (nut-shell) , containing a large 4-lobed seed, without albumen.
Cotyledons fleshy and oily, sinuate-lobed.

An Order consisting chiefly of Walnuts and Hickories,— valuable for their wood and
some of them for their fruit.

1. JU'GLANS, L. WALNUT.

[Latin, Jovis Glans, the nut of Jupiter ; by way of eminence.]

Aments of staminate fl. simple, cylindric, proceeding from buds without
leaves. Calyx adnate to an entire 1-flowered bract, 5 or 6-parted, — the
segments membranaceous, unequal. Stamens numerous, sub-sessile.
Pistillate fl. terminal, solitary, or few and clustered. Calyx-tube ovoid
adherent to the ovary, — the limb 4-toothed, with 4 small petals alternat-
ing with the calyx teeth. Styles 2, very short. Stigmas 2, elongated,
recurved, papillose-fimbriate. Fruit drupaceous, containing a single
nut, — the epicarp (or hull) somewhat fleshy, fibrous within, indehiscent,
— the nut woody, rugose and irregularly sulcate. Juice resinous-arom-
atic ; pith separated into transverse laminae or plates ; young branches
brittle. Trees with nearly naked buds and odd-pinnate leaves of
numerous serrate leaflets.

1. J. RE'GIA, L. Leaflets oval, rather acute, smooth, nearly entire ; fruit
roundish-oval ; nut sub-compressed, smoothish.

EOYAL JUGLANS. English Walnut. Madeira Nut.

Fr. Noyer commun. Germ. Die Wallnuss. Span. Noguera.

Stem 20-30 or 40 feet high, branched. Leaflets 2-5 inches long, acute, or sometimes
rounded and cmarginate at apex, subserrate or entire, villous in the angles of the nerves
beneath, in 3-5 pairs with a terminal odd one, — the lower pairs smaller. Aments ovoid-
oblong, 2-3 inches in length. Pistillate flowers in small terminal clusters of 2-3, on a
rather short common peduncle. Drupe oval or subglobose, mucronate, about 2 inches long
and 1-2 inches in diameter, with a smoothish subcoriaceous epicarp ; nut smoothish or
somewhat corrugated.

About houses : cultivated. Native of Persia. Fl. May. Pr. Oct.

Obs. This oriental species is called English Walnut, in consequence,
as I suppose, of its having come to us by way of the mother country.
Such misnomers are not unfrequent, among cultivated plants. This one

WALNUT FAMILY. 303

is occasionally cultivated for the young fruit, — which makes a favorite
pickle. The tree is rather impatient of the climate, in the rural dis-
tricts of Pennsylvania : but does very well in the shelter afforded by our
cities and large towns. The nuts are rarely perfected, here ; but those
imported, are highly esteemed.

2. J, cine'rea? L. Leaflets oblong-lanceolate, rounded at base, softly
pubescent beneath, with the petioles and branchlets downy with clammy
hairs ; drupe ovoid-oblong, coriaceous, viscid-pubescent ; nut elliptic-
oblong, acuminate, conspicuously sculptured.

CINEREOUS JUGLANS. White Walnut. Butter-nut.

Stem 20 - 50 feet high, with numerous branches and a smoothish cinereous bark. Leaflets
2-4 or 5 inches long, serrate, sessile, softly pubescent and paler beneath, in 7-8 pairs
with a terminal odd one. Aments 3-5 inches long. Pistillate flowers 3-5 or 7, in a ter-
minal spike, rather distant, sessile on a long common peduncle. Drupe 2-3 inches long,
and 1 to near 2 inches in diameter, elliptic-ovoid with a short tapering protuberance at
apex, often slightly compressed and obscurely angular, softly hairy and clammy, — the
epicarp somewhat coriaceous.

Rich bottom lauds, along streams, &c. ; throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr.
Sept. -Oct.

Obs. The bark of this tree affords an extract (Butter-nut Physic) ,
which is a convenient and popular cathartic. The young drupes, col-
lected about the last of June, make excellent pickles. The kernel of
the mature fruit is oily, and soon becomes rancid. The bark as well as
the husks of the fruit are sometimes used as a dye, and the wood, though
lighter colored and less valuable than that of the following species, is
durable when exposed to heat and moisture, and is used for panels of
coaches and similar purposes.

3. J. ni'gra, L> Leaflets ovate-lanceolate, subcordate at base, the
under surface and petioles slightly pubescent ; drupe globose, roughish-
dotted, spongy ; nut subglobose, rugose-sulcate.

BLACK JUGLANS. Black Walnut.

Stem 40-60 or 80 feet high, with spreading crooked branches,— often forming a broad
roundish and rather open top. Leaflets 2-4 inches long, serrate, subsessile, in 7 -10 pairs,
with a terminal odd one which is often starved, or abortive. Aments about 2 inches long.
Pistillate flowers in small terminal clusters of 2 - 4, on a short common peduncle. Drupe
an inch and a half to 2>£ inches in diameter, mostly globose, sometimes oval or oblong-
ovoid, greenish-yellow when mature, — the epicarp (or "hull") more or less succulent
and spongy.

Rich woodlands, fence-rows, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. Octo-
ber.

Obs. The dense dark-brown wood of this species is valuable, — and is
much used by Cabinet-makers, as a substitute for Mahogany. The
spongy epicarp is often employed as a domestic dye-stuff, — and the nu-
cleus, or kernel, although somewhat oily, is generally esteemed. The
young fruit and leaves, when rubbed or bruised, emit a strong and not
unpleasant resinous odor. This tree, when prevalent, is a pretty sure
indication of a fertile soil.

304 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

2. CA'RYA, Nutt. HICKORY.

[Greek, Karya, — the ancient name of the Walnut.]

STAMINATE FL. in slender lateral aments, which are mostly in threes,
from the same buds with the leaves. Calyx scale-like, unequally 3-
parted. Stamens 3 - 8 ; anthers sub-sessile. PISTILLATE FL. in terminal
clusters of 2 -'3. Calyx 4-cleft ; petals none ; stigmas large, 4-lobed.
Fruit with a thick leathery husk, opening more or less completely by 4
valves ; nut long, smooth, usually somewhat 4-angled. Juice watery or
often sweetish ; pith continuous ; young branches tough and pliable ;
leajiets acuminate ; pubescence stellate. All flowering in May and drop-
ping their nuts in October.

* Seed edible ; valves of the hull completely separating.
f Fruit oblong ; the husk thin : bark of the trunk not shaggy.

1. C. olivaefor'mis, Nutt. Leaflets 11-15, lanceolate and somewhat
falcate, serrate, subsessile, — the terminal one petiolulate ; fruit obovoid-
oblong ; epicarp rather thin ; nut olive-shaped, obscurely 4-angled, with
an even surface.

OLIVE-SHAPED CARYA. Pecan Hickory. Pecan nut.

Stem 40 - 50 feet high. Leaflets in 5- 7 or 8 pairs, with a terminal odd one, 3- 6 inches
in length, smooth, with a short roughish pubescence on the midrib and nerves beneath.
Fruit 1 to near 2 inches long ; nut with a thin frangible shell, — the kernel large.

Wet low grounds : Western and South-western States.

06s. This tree is little known, in the North, except by its very fine
nuts, — which are even superior to those of the admired Shell-bark,
ff Fruit globular, with a very thick husk : bark of the trunk shaggy, fall-
ing off in strips.

2. C. al'ba, Nutt. Leaflets 5, obovate-lanceolate, acuminate, sharply
serrate ; aments smoothish ; fruit depressed-globose ; epicarp thick ; nut
4-angled, compressed, with the shell thin.

WHITE CARYA. Shell-bark, or Shag-bark Hickory.

Stem 60 - 80 feet high , with the outer bark exfoliating in long scales or plates, which
generally adhere in the middle, while one or both ends are detached and elevated, making
the surface very rough and shaggy. Leaflets mostly in 2 pairs with a terminal odd one,
3 or 4 - 6, 8 or 10 inches long, the terminal one usually largest, and the lower pair much
smaller. A ments at the base of the young growth, 2 or 3 -4 or 5 inches long, triple or
3-parted on a common peduncle, smoothish, pendulous, with a linear-lanceolate bract at
the base of each branch or lateral ameut. Stamens mostly 4, — the anthers somewhat
hairy. PistiUate flowers terminal, mostly 2-3 together, sessile on a common peduncle.
Fruit somewhat umbilicate at the ends, and depressed or sulcate along the sutures of the
valves ; epicarp (or hull) thick and subcarnosely coriaceous, opening at maturity into 4
distinct valves or pieces; nut about an inch long, suborbicular or oval, compressed and
somewhat 4-angled, white, — the shell thin and frangible.

Low lands ; along streams, &c. New England to Carolina.

Obs. The nuts of this tree are well known, and highly esteemed . I
think there are some varieties, — with the bark less shaggy, the fruit with
a thinner epicarp, a thicker shell, and the kernel of inferior quality. The

WALNUT FAMILY.

305

Thick Shell-bark Hickory, C. sulea'ta, Nutt., is a nearly allied species
found in Pennsylvania and westward. It is distinguished by having 7-9
leaflets, an oval 4-ribbed fruit with intervening furrows and a yellowish,
thick-shelled, strongly-pointed nut.

** Seed small, but edible ; valves of the hull only partially separating.
3, C. tomento'sa, Nutt. Leaflets 7-9, oblong or obovate-lauceolate,

Fio. 195. The flowers of the Mocker Nut Hickory (Carya tomentosa) the pistillate flow-
ers above, the staminate ones in loose hanging aments. 196. A separate pistillate flower.
197. The ripe nut showing the husk (epicarp) splitting into 4 valves.

300 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

slightly serrate, rough-downy below ; aments tomentose ; fruit globular
or ovoid ; nut rather large, somewhat 6-angled, pale brown and thick-
shelled.

TOMENTOSE CARYA. White-heart Hickory. Mocker-nut.

Stem 60 -80 feet or more in height,— the lark with the fibres interlocked and not ex-
foliating. Leaflets generally in 3 pairs with a terminal odd one, 3 or 4-8 inches long (the
two lower pairs considerably smaller than the others) , smoothish above, clothed with
a roughish stellate pubescence beneath, and sprinkled with minute dark-purple par-
ticles among the pubescence. Aments 4-6 or 7 inches long, filiform, pubescent. Pistillate
flowers mostly in pairs, sessile on a short thick bracteate common peduncle. Fruit ovoid
or oblong-oval, large (often 2 inches or more in length, and \y% in diameter) ; epicarp
thick and coriaceous, opening by 4 valves more than half way to the base ; nut some-
what 6-angled near the apex, — the shell very thick and bony, — the kernel rather small,
and, though esculent, much inferior to the preceding.

Upland forests : New England to Virginia. Fl. May. Fr. October.

Obs. This species, also, appears to present several varieties, — some of
them producing remarkably large fruit. All the Hickories are noted
for affording good fuel ; but the wood of this one (which is white to
the heart — while the others are more or less red, within,) is considered
the best of all, for that purpose. It is replete, in early summer, with a
sweet syrup-like sap, — and when cut, at that season, is much preyed
upon by worms. The proper time for cutting it is the month of
August.

4, C. gla'bra, Torr. Leaflets 5-7, ovate-lanceolate, serrate, nearly
smooth ; fruit pear-shaped or roundish, thin ; nut smooth and even, thin-
nish-shelled but hard.

SMOOTH CARYA. Pig-nut Hickory. Broom Hickory.

*•

Stem 40 - 60 or 70 feet high, with a close bark, and numerous tough branches. Leaflets
usually in 3 pairs (not unfrequently in 2-4 pairs,) with a terminal odd one, 2 or 3-5 or 6
inches long, generally smooth on both sides — sometimes a little pubescent beneath —
sprinkled with minute purple particles. Aments ternately branched or in pairs 2-4 or 5
inches long, filiform, smoothish. Pistillate flowers terminal, solitary, or 2 or 3 sessile and
rather distant on a common peduncle. Fruit rather small, subglobose, oblong, or obo-
voifl, — the obovoid variety often a little compressed and retuse, or obcordate ; epicarp
thin and coriaceous, opening partially (at summit) by 4 valves ; nut smooth and even, —
the shell often hard, but sometimes thin and frangible ; kernel often astringent and
bitter, — sometimes esculent, but of inferior quality.

Mo'.st woodlands and low grounds : New England to Carolina. Fl. May. Fr. October.

Obs The young saplings of this species were much used, formerly, for
making splint brooms ; and the tough sprouts, or seedling plants, are
often employed as ligatures, in rural economy, under the name of hick-
ory withes. The wood of the older trees is used by wheelrights for
making axles of carts and wagons : and, like that of all the species, is
much esteemed for fuel. The small fruited Hickory, C. microcar'pa,
Nutt., has similar foliage but is distinguished by its very small fruit,
which is only | of an inch in diameter. The Bitter-nut, C. '

OAK FAMILY. 307

is another species resembling the Pig-nut, having small thin-shelled nuts,
the kernels of which are intensely bitter.

ORDER LXYIL CUPULTFERJE. (OAK FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs with alternate simple penni-nerved leaves, deciduous stipules and mono3-
cious flowers ; the staminate ones in cylindrical (capitate-clustered in the Beech), aments ;
the pistillate solitary or clustered, furnished with an involucre which forms a kind of cup
(cupule) to the 1-celled 1-seeded indehiscent nut. Ovary 2-7-celled with 1 — 2 ovules in
each cell ; all the cells and ovules but one disappearing in the/ru#. Calyx-tube adherent
to the ovary, the minute calyx-teeth crowning its summit. Seed without albumen, fllled by
the embryo, — the cotyledons thick and fleshy.

* Fertile flowers scattered or few in a cluster.
Involucre 1-flowered, of many little scales, forming a cup around the

base of the hard, rounded nut or acorn. 1. QUKRCTTS.

Involucre 2-3-flowered, forming a prickly bur, enclosing 1-3 nuts

and splitting into 4 thick valves. 2. CASTANEA.

Involucre 2-flowered, prickly, 4-valved, containing 2 sharply tri-
angular nuts. Sterile flowers in small head-like clusters. 3. FAGUS.
Involucre 1- 2-flowered becoming a leafy cup, much enlarged and
cut or torn at the apex, longer than the bony nut. 4. CORYLTJS.

** Fertile flowers clustered in a kind of ament.

Involucre an open 3-lobed leaf, 2-flowered. Fruit a small ovoid nut. 5. CARPINUS.
Involucre a bladdery bag, 1-flowered, the whole catkin in fruit ap-
. pearing like a hop. Fruit small and seed-like. 6. OSTRYA.

]. QUER'CUS, L. OAK

[The ancient classical name.]

STAMINATE FL. Aments slender, pendulous, without bracts. Calyx
6-8- (mostly 5-) parted. Stamens 5 - 12 ; anthers 2-celled. PISTILLATE
FL. scattered or clustered. Involucre 1-flowered, — formed of minute
bracts, and scales, imbricated in many series, and coalesced into a cup,
and becoming woody or bark -like. Calyx adherent to the ovary, — the
limb 6-toothed. Ovary 3-celled ; ovules in pairs in the cells, collateral,
suspended ; stigmas as many as the cells of the ovary. Nut (or Acorn]
by abortion 1-seeded, ovoid or oblong, mucronate, coriaceously woody,
embraced and more or less included by the indurated cup-like involucre.
Seed pendulous ; testa membranaceous, thin ; cotyledons plano-convex,
thick and fleshy. Mostly trees with greenish or yellowish flowers, the
pistillate ones quite inconspicuous ; all appearing in May, and the fruit
generally mature in October. In a portion of our species the acorns are
biennial, — i. e., 2 years in coming to maturity. This peculiarity serves
to divide them into 2 sections which are subdivided into groups distin-
guished by the outline of the leaves.

\ ]. Fruit annual (ripening in the fall after flowering) ; clusters mostly
peduncled : leaves not bristly-pointed or toothed.

* WHITE OAK GROUP. Leaves obtusely sinuate or pinnatifld-lobed, all
pale, whitish or grayish-downy underneath.

308

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

193

1. CL macrocar'pa, MX. Leaves deeply and
somewhat lyrately sinuate-lobed, the lobes ob-
tuse, sparingly and obtusely toothed ; acorn
very large ; cup hemispherical, fringed above
with hard and thick-pointed scales, the upper-
most of which are awned .; nut ovoid, more than
half immersed in the cup.
LARGE-FRUITED QUERCUS. Bur-oak. Over-
cup Oak. Mossy-cup White Oak.

Trunk 40-60 foet high. Leaves obovato in outline, 6-12
inches or more in length ; the smaller ones entire. Acorns
1- \yz inch long, sometimes entirely enclosed in the con-
spicuously fringed cup.

West New England, west and southwest.

06s. A handsome middle-sized tree with luxu-
riant foliage and remarkably large acorns.
The wood is valuable for those uses which re-
quire stiff and durable wood. As a fuel it
takes rank with the White Oak. A variety with

narrower and more deeply lobed leaves and oblong fruit is the QUCFCUS
olivaefor'mis of Michaux.

183

2. ft. obtusi'loba, MX. Leaves tawny pu-
bescent beneath, obovate-oblong, cuneate at
base, irregularly sinuate-lobed, the upper
lobes larger and often 1 - 3-notched ; acorn
roundish ovoidr rather small.
OBTUSE-LOBED QUERCUS. Barrens White Oak.
Post Oak. Rough Oak.

Stem 20-40 or 50 feet high ; branches irregular,
spreading, densely pubescent when young. Leai*es 4-6
inches long, thick and coriaceous, mostly with 3 un-
equal lobes on each side and unequal angular sinuses —
the upper surface smoothish and shining (often roughish
with short fasciculate hairs, when young), the under
surface pale ferruginous, or tawny, and clothed with a
stellate pubescence ; petioles about half an inch long.
Acorn rather small, oval or roundish-ovoid, with the
apex often depressed or umbilicate — the lower half cm-
braced by the scaly hemispherical cup, which is sessile,
or the fruit often in small clusters on a common pe-
duncle.

Dry sterile hills. Massachusetts, west and south.

Obs. This tree seems to be confined to barren hills, and exposed ridges.

FIG. 198. The Bur or Over-cup Oak (Quercus macrocarpa). The figures of all the oaks
represented here are less than half the natural size.

FIG. 199. The Post or Rough Oak (Quercus obtusiloba.)

OAK FAMILY.

309

The wood is very durable, and much valued for posts, &c. It also
makes excellent fuel.

3. Q. al'ba, L. Leaves oblong, pinnatifid-sinuate,— lobes nearly equal,
oblong, obtuse, mostly entire, the sinuses narrow ; cupule somewhat
bowl-shaped, tuberculate ; acorn ovoid-oblong.

WHITE QUERCUS. Common White Oak.

202

Stem 60-80 and 100 feet high, and 2-4 or 5 feet in diameter, with a whitish or light

FIG. 200. A flowering branch of the White Oak (Quercus alba) , showing the aments of
staininate flowers. 201. A separate staminate flower. 202. A leaf and acorns.

310

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

grey bark. Leaves 4 -6 inches long, subeoriaceous, smooth, nearly equally pinnatifid,
usually with 3-4 lobes on each side (sometimes cuneate and 3-lobed) ; petioles half an
inch to an inch long. Acorn rather large, seated in a shallowish bowl-shaped cup, which
is pubescent and rough externally with roundish tubercles — the fruit generally in pairs,
sessile on a common peduncle about half an inch long.
Woodlands, throughout the United States : often abundant in moist low clayey grounds.

Obs. This is one of our finest and most valuable forest trees, — and
frequently attains to an enormous size. Its prevalence, however, is not
so indicative of a good soil, as that of the Q,. tilicto'ria, or Black Oak.
The timber is firm and durable, though somewhat liable, when in the
form of boards and scantling, to warp or spring. It is extensively used
in the mechanic arts, — especially by the wheel- wright, the mill-wrig-ht,
and the ship-wright. The keels of some of our finest national vessels
have been obtained from this Oak. It also affords the best quality of
coopers' stuff, for making liquor-casks. The bark is astringent and
tonic, and is frequently employed in medical practice. The acorns are
sweet, affording a nutritious and favorite food of swine. On young
trees the leaves are remarkably persistent, after they are killed by the
frost, in autumn.

** CHESTNUT OAK GROUP. Leaves coarsely and obtusely sinuate-toothed,
but not lobed, whitish, and more or less downy beneath : cup hoary ; acorns
sweetish.

4. d. Pri'nus, L. Leaves obovate
and elliptic-oblong, acute or acu-
minate, finely pubescent beneath,
coarsely and nearly equally sinuate-
dentate. — the teeth obtuse ; fruit
on short common peduncles ; cupule
nearly hemispherical ; acorn oval.

Swamp Chestnut Oak. Chestnut
White Oak.

Stem 60-80 or 90 feet high, and 2-3 or 4
feet in diameter. Leaves 5-8 inches long,
penni-nerved with a coarse obtuse tooth for
each nerve, and a small callus at the apex
of each ; petioles 1 - near 2 inches long.
Fruit in pairs (1 often abortive) , on a com-
mon peduncle about half an inch long.
Acorn large, oval or ovoid-oblong, seated in
a scaly bowl-shaped cup which embraces
nearly one third of the nut.

Moist low woodlands : Pennsylvania to
Florida.

203
Obs. This species, which is often a fine tree, presents some marked

FIG. 203. The Swamp Chesnut Oak (Quercus Prinus.)

OAK FAMILY.

311

varieties which were formerly considered as species, but which are
now only regarded as varieties due to soil and situation. The variety
monti'cola, MX., (Quercus monta'na, Willd.,} known as the Kock
Chestnut Oak, is a form growing in hilly woodlands, and has more valua-
ble timber. Yar. discolor, MX. (Q.* tricolor, Willd.,) is the Swamp
White Oak ; it has the leaves more deeply toothed and densely whitish-
downy beneath, and the upper scales of the cup are sometimes awned so
as to form a fringed margin. Quality of the wood variable.

The acorns of all the varieties are sweet and nutritious, and sought
after by swine.

5. Q. Casta'nea, Willd. Leaves oblong-lan-
ceolate, acuminate, pubescent and cinereous
beneath, nearly equally dentate or sinuate-
serrate, — the teeth rather acute, and callous at
apex ; fruit subsessile ; cupule nearly hemis-
pherical ; acorn elliptic-ovoid.
CHESTNUT QUERCUS. Chestnut Oak. Yellow
Oak.

Stem 40-60 or 70 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter.
Leaves 3-6 inches long, the points of the teeth (and
along the whole margin) callous, the upper surface
smooth and yellowish-green, the under surface finely
pubescent and whitish or cinereous ; petioles half an inch
to an inch long. Acorn rather small, seated in a pubes-
cent bowl-shaped cup, which embraces one third of the
nut, and is either sessile on the branch or on a short
common peduncle.

Mountains, slaty hills and banks of streams : fiddle
and Western States.

204

Obs. This is often a fine tree, — though not so common, in Eastern
Pennsylvania, as the others of this subdivision. It presents some
varieties — at least in the leaves ; but they generally have a striking re-
semblance to those of the Chestnut tree. The acorns are said to be
more sweet and nutritious than those of any other species. There is a
dwarf species, the Chinquapin Oak, (Q,, prinoi'des, Willd.,) belonging
to this subdivision — common on sandy soil ; but it is two small and un-
important to require a more particular notice here.

§ 2. Fruit biennial, not maturing till the second year after flowering, sessile
or nearly so ; kernel bitter.

* LIVE OAK GROUP. Leaves evergreen, nearly entire, hoary beneath.

FIG. 204. The Chestnut or Yellow Oak (Quercus Castanea).

312

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

205

6. ft. vi'rens, Ait. Leaves coria-
ceous, elliptic - oblong, somewhat
toothed or angled on young trees,
entire on old ones, with a revolute
margin, rather acute at apex, but
not mucronate, stellately pubescent
beneath ; cupule turbinate, peduncu-
late ; acorn oblong.
GREEN QUERCUS. Live Oak.

Stem 20-40 or 50 feet high, and 1 or 2 - 5 or
6 feet in diameter, with numerous large wide-
spreading crooked branches — the wood re-
markably dense and heavy, with twisted
fnarled fibres. Leaves an inch and a half to
inches long, perennial, but a portion of them
falling from the old trees every spring, dark
green above, whitish beneath, on short
petioles. Acorn ovoid-oblong or oval, of a
dark brown color, seated in a bowl-shaped
pedunculate cup — the peduncle about an inch
long, axillary.

Sea coast : Virginia to Florida.

Obs. This noted tree — so valuable in ship-building—is pretty much
confined to the sandy sea-coast of the Southern States. Its most north-
ern locality appears to be at Old Point Comfort, near Norfolk, Virgi-
nia,— where it is reduced to quite a small tree. Four or five other
species, belonging to this group, are found in the United States — chiefly
in the South ; but they are mostly small, and of little value.

** WILLOW OAK GROUP. Leaves deciduous, entire, narrow.

7. ft. Phel'los, L. Leaves linear-lanceolate, tapering at each end,
glabrous ; cupule saucer-shaped ; acorn roundish.

Willow-leaved Oak. Willow Oak.

Stem 40-60 or 70 feet high, and 1-2 feet or more in diameter, with a smoothish bark.
Leaves 2-4 inches long, subsessile, entire or the young ones sometimes dentate. Acorn
small, subglobose, seated in a shallow saucer-like subsessile cup.

Moist low grounds. New Jersey, Kentucky and South.

06s. There are apparently some varieties of this, — or, if they are
specifically distinct, nearly allied species. The tree sometimes acquires
considerable size, — but the timber is not particularly valuable ; and as
it is rather local in its habitat, is not much known beyond those limits.

8. ft. imbrica'ria, MX. Leaves deciduous, lance-oblong or elliptic-
lanceolate, acute at each end, mucronate, smooth and shining above,
pubescent beneath ; cupule saucer-shaped ; acorn somewhat hemis-
pherical.

FIG. 205. The Live Oak (Quercus virens).

OAK FAMILY.

313

SHINGLE QUERCUS. Laurel or Shingle Oak.

Stem 40-60 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter, with a sraoothish bark ; branches
numerous and irregular. Leaves 3-5 inches long, entire, somewhat crowded on short
petioles. Acorn rather small, roundish above, with a broad flattish base so as to be
nearly hemispherical, seated in a shallow subscssile cup.

Banks of streams. New Jersey, southward, and in the Western States.

203

207

Obs. This species — being chiefly confined to the country west of the
Alle^hany Mountains — is but little known in the east ; and although
deriving its specific name from the roofing material which it affords, its
timber is said to be of an inferior quality — even for that purpose.
* * * BLACK AND RED OAK GROUP. Leaves deciduous, bristle-pointed,
rcpand or acutely smuate-lobed.

f Mature leaves downy underneath.

9, Q. ni'gra, L. Leaves somewhat coriaceous, cuneate, dilated at apex,
retuse or obscurely 3-lobed, smooth above, covered with a russet pul-
verulent pubescence beneath, when young the nerves setaceously mucro-
nate ; cupule subturbinate ; acorn ovoid.

BLACK QUERCUS. Black Jack. Barren Oak.

Stem 15-30 or 40 feet high, and 6-12 or 15 inches in diameter, with a thickish
furrowed dark colored bark; branches numerous. Leaves 5-8 inches long, much dila-
ted at apex (4 -6 inches wide), narrowed towards the base, on short petioles. Acorn
ovoid, seated in a rather deep or bowl-shaped subsessile cup.

Sterile soils : New Jersey to Illinois and southward.

Obs. This small tree — abundant in Maryland, and well known by the
name of " Black Jack," — is chiefly valuable for fuel. The nearly related

FIG. 206. The Willow Oak (Quercus Phellos.)
FIG. 207. The Laurel or Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria). 208. An acorn.

14

314

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Water Oak, Q,. aqua'tica, Catesby, which has narrower leaves, tapering
to the base, is found in wet grounds in the Southern States.

209

210

212

211

10, Q,. falca'ta, MX. Leaves elongated and rather narrow, sinuate-lobed,
or sometimes almost palmately 3-lobed, obtuse at base, densely tomen-
tose beneath ; lateral lobes falcate, the terminal one longer and trifid ;
cupule shallow, subturbinate ; acorn roundish-ovoid.
FALCATE QUERCUS. Spanish Oak.

Stem 40-50 or 80 feet high, and 1 or 2-4 feet in diameter. Leaves 3-6 and 9 inches
long, with 2-4 or 5 (usually 3) distant more or less falcate entire lobes on each side—
those on small trees or young branches often dilated and 3-lobed at apex, with the side-
lobes diverging ; petioles about an inch long. Acorn small, seated in a shallow saucer-like
cup, which is tapering at base and supported on a short peduncle.

Sandy or sterile clay soils : New Jersey to Georgia.

Obs. This tree (which is the genuine " Spanish Oak,") — so far as I
have observed — seems to be pretty much confined to that district, along
the Atlantic coast, which is marked as alluvial on Geological maps. Jt
is said to grow very large, in the South ; but is rather below an average
size, near its northern limits. The timber is reddish, coarse-grained and
not very durable, — but is much used for the inferior kinds of coopers'
stuff. The bark, however, is reputed as preferable to that of every other
species of Oak, for tanning. The dwarf species, known as Scrub Oak,
or Bear Oak, is Q. illicifo'lia, Wang. : it lias obovate leaves with a
wedge-shaped base, and angularly about 5-lobed. It is a worthless little
species, 3-8 feet high ; abounding on poor soils from New England to
Virginia and westward to Ohio.

FIG. 209. The Black Jack or Barren Oak (Quercus nigra). 210. An acorn.
FIG. 211. The Spanish Oak (Quercus falcata). 212. An acorn.

OAK FAMILY.

315

f f Mature leaves glabrous on both sides, or nearly so.

11. Q,, tincto'ria, Sartr. Leaves obovate-oblong, sinuate-lobed, more
or less rusty-puberulent beneath when young ; cup scaly, thick ;
acorn ovoid.
DYER'S QUERCUS. Black Oak. Quercitron. Yellow-barked Oak.

Stem 60-80 or 90 feet high, and 2-3 or 4 feet in diameter, with a thickish deeply-
farrowed, dark-colored epidermis, and a spongy yellow inner bark. Leaves 6-8 inches
long, obovate in their outline, more or less deeply sinuate-lobed (usually 3 principal lobes
on each side), the base obtuse or sometimes cuneately tapering, smoothish above, the
under surface clothed with short steelate or fasiculate hairs which present a pulverulent
appearance ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Acorn rather small, ovoid, seated in a subsessile
cup, which is tapering at base.

Rich upland forests : common.

215

216

Obs. The wood of this species is not very durable, — neither is it much
esteemed for fuel ; yet, in consequence of its abundance, it is, or has been,
very extensively used for fencing, firewood and shingles. The straight
fibres, and facility of splitting the wood, no doubt recommended it for
shingles. The inner bark is an article of commerce, under the name of
Quercitron ; and is exported in large quantities to Europe, where it is
employed in dyeing yellow. It has nearly superseded the use of Weld
(Reseda luteola, L.) in calico printing. The prevalence of this fine tree,
in woodlands, is an indication of a good soil for Agriculture.
2, ft. cocci'nea, Wang. Leaves oval in outline, deeply sinuate-
pinuatifid, with broad open sinuses, smooth and shining green on both
sides ; cup conspicuously scaly ; acorn roundish-ovoid or globular.

FIG. 213. The Black Oak or Quercitron (Quercus tinctoria). 214. An acorn.
FIG. 215. The Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea). 216. An acorn.

316

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

CRIMSON QUERCUS. Scarlet Oak.

Stem 60 - 90 feet high, and 2 - 3 or 4 feet in diameter. Leaves 5-8 inches long, deeply
lobed (usually 4 principal lobes on each side), the sinuses rounded and wider at bottom,
the base obtuse or sometimes rather cuneate, both surfaces smooth and shining green,
with a dense pubescence in the axils of the nerves beneath— finally becoming red and
spotted with deeper crimson ; petioles 2 -4 inches long. Acorn roundish, depressed or
slightly umbilicate at apex, — the lower half immersed in a rough scaly cup.

Rich moist woodlands. New England to Georgia.

06s. The bark of this tree is much sought after by our Tanners, who (not
being acquainted with the Q,. falcata,) erroneously call it " Spanish Oak,"
and give it the preference over all the other Oaks that are common here,
for their business. The crimson leaves of this species, where it abounds,
impart a gorgeous and magnificent appearance to our forests, in autumn ;
and it is really marvellous that a tree so handsome at all seasons, should
be so rarely seen in the lawns and pleasure-grounds of persons of any
pretensions to taste.

13. Q. m'bra, L. Leaves oblong, smooth, sinuate-lobed, sinuses rather
acute ; lobes incised-dentate with the teeth very acute ; cupule shallow,
saucer-shaped, flat at base, nearly even on the outer surface ; acorn
rather large and turgidly oblong-ovoid.

EED QUERCUS. Red Oak.

Stem 60 -90 feet high, and 2 -4 feet in diameter. Leaves 5-8 or 9 inches long, often
somewhat obovate, rather obtuse at base, sinuate-lobed (usually 3 principal lobes on each
side), the sinuses shallower and more acute than in the preceding species ; petioles 1-2
jaches long. Acorn oblong-ovoid, plump and rather large, seated in abroad flat-bottomed

FIG. 217. Trn Rc:l Oak (Quercus rnbra). 218. An acorn.

OAK FAMILY.

317

saucer-like sessile cup, of which the scales are so compact as to present a smooth or
nearly even surface.
Hilly woodlands : Northern and Middle States. Fl. May. Fr. October.

Obs. Justice to myself, and to the truths of Natural History — as well
as to Mr. RMERSON, author of the admirable Report on the Forest Trees
and Shrubs of Massachusetts, — requires that I should here rectify a
misapprehension under which 1 labored when I compiled the first edition
of this work. I had always understood (of course from others — having
no personal knowledge of the subject,) that the bark of this species was
in high repute with the Tanners, — and so stated. But on a more careful
and particular inquiry of intelligent and practical men, in that business,
I learn that it is regarded as being much inferior in value to the bark
of Q, cocci'nea, — and am now satisfied that Mr. EMERSON is substan-
tially correct in the statement that it is " almost worthless for the use
of the Tanner." The timber of- this tree is also of inferior value.

14, Q,. palus'tris, Da Roi. Leaves oblong, deeply sinuate-pinnatifid,

219

with broad rounded sinuses, lobes divaricate, acutely dentate ; cupule
saucer-shaped ; acorn subglobose, small.

MARSH QUERCUS. Pin Oak. Swamp Spanish Oak.

Stem 40-60 or 70 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter, with numerous rather slender
horizontal or drooping branches, which are frequently very knotty. Leaves 4 - 6 inches

FIG. 219. The Pin or Swamp Spanish Oak (Quercus palustris.)

318 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

long, deeply lobed (usually 3 lobes on each side),— the lobes rather narrow, diverging,
the base of the leaves obtuse or often somewhat cuneatc, both surfaces smooth, except a
tuft of pubescence in the axils of the nerves beneath ; petioles 1-2 inches long. Acorn
small (mostly numerous) , seated in a smoothish shallow nearly flat-bottomed subsessile
cup, which is often abruptly tapering from the centre of the base.

Wet low grounds, along rivulets, &c.: New England to Pennsylvania, and west to
Illinois.

Obs. The wood of this Oak is very firm, — and is much employed by
wheelwrights, &c. It is quite common in Pennsylvania, — but does not
appear to extend to the South. It would seem as if the Q,. falca'ta, and
this species, were distinctly located in the two great divisions of the U.
States. Four or five additional species, belonging to this group, are
found in the U. States ; but they are not very important, — and some of
them are quite small and scrubby.

2. CASTA'NEA, Tournef. CHESTNUT.

[Named from a city of Thessaly (Costarica) ; famed for Chestnuts.]

STAMINATE FL. interruptedly clustered in long naked cylindrical spike-
form aments. Calyx deeply 5 - 6-parted. Stamens 8-15; anthers 2-
celled. PISTILLATE FL. usually in threes, within ovoid squarrose soli-
tary or clustered involucres. Calyx adherent to the ovary, — the limb
5-6 lobed. Stamens 5-12, abortive, minute. Ovary 3-6 celled;
ovules solitary, pendulous ; style bristle-like ; stigmas as many as the cells.
Fruit a coriaceous prickly involucre, containing 1-3 nuts, and opening
by 4 valves. Nuts ovoid when single, plano-convex or compressed when
two or three, — 1-seeded by abortion. Cotyledons thick, somewhat plicate
and cohering together, sweetish and farinaceous. Flowers appearing
after the leaves.

1, C. ves'ca, Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate-serrate, with coarse
pointed teeth, smooth on both sides ; nuts usually 2 - 3 in each involucre.
EATABLE CASTANEA. Chestnut. Chestnut-tree.
Fr. Le Chataignier. Germ. Der Kastanieiibaum. .Span. Castano.

Stem 60-80 or 90 feet high, and 2-4 or 5 feet in diameter. Leaves 6-9 inches long ;
petioles about half an inch long. Staminate flowers small, whitish or ochroleucous, in
slender, pubescent interrupted spikes or aments, 4-8 inches in length, — the florets
crowded in dense bracteate clusters ; stamens long. Pistillate fl^nven mostly 3 together,
in a scaly, squarrosfe ovoid involucre. Involucre usually solitary — sometimes 3-4 in
a cluster- — subsessile, enlarging, finally globose, about 2 inches in diameter, thickly
covered with acute compound or cofilesced prickles, opening at maturity by 4 valves or
lobes, densely villous within. Nuts 3 (by abortion often 2 or 1), roundish-ovate, acumi-
nate, reddish-brown, smooth below, the upper half covered with a greyish-tawny pubes-
cence ; the middle nut flatted on both sides, the lateral ones convex or gibbous exter-
nally, and when the lateral ones are both abortive, the central one becomes roundish-
ovoid .

Upland forests : throughout the United States. Fl. June. Fr. October.

Obs. The American Chestnut-tree is scarcely more than a variety of
the European, — the chief difference being in the size of the fruit. The
nuts of our native Chestnut-tree are smaller, and the kernels much
sweeter, than those of the European variety — or " Spanish Chestnut,"

OAK FAMILY. 319

as it is commonly called. The wood of the Chestnut-tree is light, easily
split, and rather brittle,— yet very, durable ; not esteemed for fuel, but
highly valued for making fences. The tree is of rapid growth,— being
speedily reproduced, by suckers from the stump, when cut off— and
therefore well calculated to keep up a supply of fencing timber.

2. C, pu'mila, MX. Leaves obovate-oblong, acute, serrate or denticu-
late, ' whitish-tomeutose beneath ; nut solitary, ovoid, small.

DWARF CASTANEA. Chinquapin.

Stem 6 - 10 or 12 feet high. Leaves 2-6 inches long, mucronately serrate or sometimes
denticulate, green and smoothish above, clothed with a soft dense cinereous tomentum
beneath ; petioles about half an inch in length. Staminate flowers in aments, 1 or 2-4 in-
ches long, slender and numerous. Involucres of the pistillate flowers in spikes, or clus-
tered on short tomentose axillary branches or common peduncles, enlarging, finally glo-
bose, an inch or an inch and a half in diameter, pubescent and prickly, opening at summit
with 4 lobes or valves. Nut (by abortion ?) constantly solitary, small, ovoid, acute, dark
brown, pubescent at summit.

Sterile soils : S. Pennsylvania to Florida. Fl. June. Fr. Oct.

Obs. This shrub is rarely seen north of Maryland. The kernels are
remarkably sweet and pleasant to the taste, but are scarcely half the
size even of our native Chestnut. The seeds of both Chestnuts and
Chinquapin — and especially of the latter — are very subject to be preyed
upon by worms.

3. FA'GUS, Tournef. BEECH.

[Latin, — from the Greek, phago, to eat ; the fruit being esculent.]

STAMINATE Fr.. in globose long-peduncled pendulous clusters, with de-
ciduous scale-like bracts. Calyx campanulate, 5-6-cleft. Stamens
8 - 12. PISTILLATE FL. usually in pairs, within an ovoid pedunculate
involucre, which is formed of numerous united awl-shaped flexible bracts.
Calyx-lobes 5 - 6, awl-shaped. Ovary 3-celled ; ovules 2 in each cell;
styles 3, filiform ; stigmas lateral. Nuts acutely triquetrous, usually two
in the leathery, softly prickly, 4-valved involucre. Cotyledons thick,
fleshy, irregularly plicate. Trees with a thin, smooth, ash-colored bark,
horizontal branches, long pointed buds and greenish-yellow flowers.

1, F. ferrugin'ea, Ait. Leaves oblong-ovate, taper-pointed, more or
less toothed, ciliate ; the scales of the involucre spreading or recurved.

FERRUGINOUS FAGUS. Beech Tree. American Beech.
Fr. Le Hetre. Germ. Die Buche. Span. Haya.

Stem 40-80 feet or more in height, with a thin even-surfaced whitish bark. Leaves
3-5 inches long, pcnni-nerved, and plicate along the nerves while young, silky-pilose,
finally smoothish on the upper surface ; petioles one-eighth to half an inch long ; stipules
* long, linear, membranaceous, tawny, caducous. Aments of stamiuate flowers very
numerous, loosely subglobose, silky-pubescent, pale greenish-yellow, on slender silky-
pilose peduncles an inch or an inch and a half long. Involucres of the pistillate flowers

320 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

fewer, on rigid axillary peduncles about half an incli long. Nuts pubescent, pale reddish
brown.

Low moist woodlands: throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. September -
October.

Obs. The density and uniform texture of the wood render it valuable
for many purposes, — such as plane-stocks, and other implements of the
mechanic arts. The leaves, especially of young trees, are remarkably
persistent, after they are killed by frost, often remaining on the branches
until late in the ensuing spring. The oily seeds afford a nutritious food
for swine.

The Beech, although a symmetrical and pretty tree, is seldom culti-
vated iu this country either for shade or ornament. And yet it would
seem, from VIRGIL'S Pastorals, that in the land of sweet do nothing
(" dolce far niente "), the Italian peasant of ancient times found an en-
viable enjoyment under its spreading branches :

-" patulae recula/ns sub tegmine FAGI."

4. CORTLUS, Tournef. HAZLE-NUT.

[Greek, Korys, a helmet, or cap ; in allusion to the involucrate fruit.]

STAMINATE FL. Aments cylindric, with imbricated bracteal scales.
Calyx of two collateral scales beneath the bract, and all three united at
base. Stamens 8 ; anthers 1-celled, subsessile, bristly at apex. PISTIL-
LATE FL. from subterminal buds, in small clusters at the ends of the
branches ; involucre of 2 - 3 (at first minute but subsequently eufarging)
villous leaflets, which are lacerate on the margin and coherent at base,
embracing 1-2 flowers. Calyx adherent to the ovary, — the limb very
minute, denticulate, villous. Ovary 2-celled ; ovules solitary ; stigmas 2,
elongated, filiform. Nut (by abortion) 1-seeded, roundish-ovoid, obtuse,
subcompressed, bony, smooth, solitary in the enlarged foliaceous lacerate-
dentate involucre. Shrubs : the flowers preceding the leaves.

1. C. AVELLA'NA, L. Leaves orbicular cordate, acuminate; stipules
ovate-oblong, obtuse ; involucre about the length of the fruit.

AVELLAN CORYLUS. Filbert. Hazle-nut.

Stem 6-10 feet high, branching from the base. Leaves 3-5 inches long, often obovate-
cordate, doubly serrate ; petioles % — % of an inch in length. Pistillate flowers few in
scaly clusters, — the scales (or bracts) enlarging, uniting and forming the involucres. Stig-
mas purple. Nuts rather large.

Yards, &c. Native of Asia Minor. Fl. March. Fr. Sept.

Obs. The Filbert, or Hazle-nut of the old world is now becoming
known among us, — and not unfrequently cultivated. "The bushes
were originally imported into Italy from Pontus, and [the fruit] known
among the Romans by the appellation of Nux Pontica, — which, in the
progress of time was changed into that of Nux Avellana ; from the

OAK FAMILY.

321

place [Avella, near Naples] where they had been most successfully
propagated." The young forked twigs of this shrub constitute the cel-
ebrated divining rod with which certain impostors beyond the Atlantic
pretend to discover the localities of precious metals and subterranean

222

221

fountains. The imposture, and the credulity on which it operated, have
both reached our shores ; but the Filbert not being indigenous here, a
capital substitute was discovered in the Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) !
The twigs of Peach trees also, have been found to answer, the purpose
nearly as well as the Witch Hazel ; and thus the occult sciences of ore-

FIG. 220. A flowering branch of the cultivated Filbert or Hazel-nut (Corylus Avellana) ,
the staminate flowers in long aments, the pistillate ones in smalt bud-like clusters. 221.
A scale from the aments, showing the anthers beneath it. 222. A pistillate flower with
the involucre spread open. 223. A branch in fruit, the nut surrounded by the enlarged
leafy involucre.

14*

322 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

finding, and water-smelling have been enabled, in some degree— even in
this " progressive " age — to keep pace with the sublime mysteries of
Clairvoyance, and Spiritual Kappings, as well as with the lucrative
manufacture of Panaceas, and Indian Specifics. It is indeed both hu-
miliating and discouraging to contemplate the facility with which a
large portion of mankind can be made the dupes of such miserable
trumpery.

2, C, America 'na, Marshall. Leaves orbicular-cordate, acuminate ;
stipules ovate ; involucre ventricose-campanulate, much larger than the
nut, with the limb compressed, dilated, lacerately many-cleft.

AMERICAN CORYLUS. Hazle-uut. Wild Filbert.

Shrub. Stem 4-6 feet high, slender, brandling, — the young branches virgate, pubes-
cent and glandular-hispid. Leaves 3-6 inches long, varying from roundish-cordate to
ovate and obovate, dentate-serrate, pubescent ; petioles one-fourth of an inch to an inch
long. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, caducous. Aments preceding the leaves, 1-2 inches long.
Pistillate Jloiuers in pedunculate squamose clusters, — the scales finally enlarging, uniting
and forming the involucres of the nuts. Nut subglobose, somewhat compressed at apex,
rather wider than long, finely pubescent, embraced by the subcoriaceous involucre, which
is twice as long as the nut, glandular-hirsute externally, ventricose at base, with the limb
bilabiate and irregularly lacerate-dentate.

Borders of thickets, fence-rows, &c. : throughout the United States. Fl. March - April.
Fr. Sept.

Obs. This shrub is generally well known for its esculent seeds, though
I believe it has never been thought worth while to cultivate it. There
is another native species common northward, the Beaked Hazle-nut (C.
rostra'ta, Ait.), which has the involucre prolonged into a bristly beak
extending an inch beyond the nut.

5. CAKPI'NUS, L. HORNBEAM.

[The ancient classical name.]

STAMINATE FL. in lateral drooping aments with simple ovate scale-like
bracts, without a proper calyx. Stamens 12 at the base of each bract ;
anthers 1-celled, hairy at apex. PISTILLATE FL. in pairs, with small de-
ciduous bracts and enlarging foliaceous 1-sidod involucres, arranged in ter-
minal loose araent-like racemes. Ovary 2-celled. Stigmas 2, filiform. Nuts
in pairs, small, ovoid, sub-compressed, striate-ribbed, stalked, each with
a 1-sided enlarged open and leaf-like involucre. Shrubs or small trees
with obtusely and irregularly ridged trunks, a thin smooth ash-colored
bark, and flowers preceding the leaves.

1. C. America'na, MX. Leaves ovate-oblong, doubly serrate ; involu-
cres 3-lobed, sub-hastate, unequally cut -toothed on one side.
AMERICAN CARPINUS. Horn-beam. Iron Wood. Water Beech.

Stem 10 - 20 feet high , often branched from the root, and growing in clusters. Leaves
2-4 inches long ; petioles %-% an inch in length. Pistillate aments 2-3 inches long.
Involucres finally about an inch long. Nuts about 8-ribbed, smoothish, dark brown.

Margins of streams, &c. : common. Fl. April. Fr. Sept.

SWEET-GALE FAMILY. 323

Obs. A tree of very slow growth, and does not attain to a very great
size. It is readily distinguished by its peculiarly ridged trunk. The
rich colors of its leaves in the fall add much to the variety and beauty
of the autumnal scenery. The wood is exceedingly hard and close-
grained, and is well suited for turned work, and for such purposes as
require great compactness and solidity.

6. OS 'TRY A, Michel. HOP HORNBEAM.

[Greek, Ostrevn, a shell, or scale, — in allusion to the struoturevof the fruit.]

STAMINATE FL. nearly as in Carpinus. PISTILLATE FL. in terminal,
loosely imbricated aments with small deciduous bracts. S:ales of t/ie in-
volucre in pairs, hairy at base, membranaceous, uniting by their margins
and enclosing 1-2 flowers. Ovary 2-celled ; 2-ovuled, crowned with
the entire and ciliate border of the calyx; stigmas 2, subsessile, elongat-
ed, filiform. Fruit in a strobile (or cone), formed of the scales of the
involucre, which are membranaceous, nerved, and coalesced into utricles
or little sacs. Nuts solitary within the utricles, compressed, ovate-lan-
ceolate, smooth, 1-seeded. Slender trees, with brownish, slightly fur-
rowed bark, and flowers appearing with the leaves.

1. 0. Virgin'ica, Willd. Leaves ovate-oblong, acuminate, sharply ser-
rate ; cones ovoid^oblong ; involucres thickly beset with tawny bristle?
at the base.
VIRGINIAN OSTRYA. Hop Horn-beam. Iron Wood. Lever-wood.

Stem 20-40 or 50 feet high, and 5 - 8 or 10 inches in diameter. Leaves 2-4 inches long
on short petioles. Staminate aments an inch to an inch and a half long. Pistillate amenta
mostly terminal and solitary, 1 to near 2 inches long, slender and, while young, linear ;
flowers in pairs, — 3ach pair subtended by an ovate-lanceolate tawny caducous bract ; each
ilower contained in a membranaceous sac formed by the united scales of the involucre, —
the sac enlarging and becoming a bladder-like envelope of the nut, slightly inflated, ovate,
imbricated, and forming altogether, at maturity, a pedunculate pendulous cone, about the
size of, and much resembling, the Common Hop.

Woodlands : New England to Carolina. Fr. April - May. .Fr. Sept.

Obs. The wood of this small tree is remarkably firm and tough ; and
although neither very common nor very important, it may be well, per-
haps, for the intelligent farmer to know what it is when he meets with
it. According to Mr. EMERSON, it is known by the name of Lever-wood
in New England.

ORDER LXVIII. MYRICA'CE^E. (SWEET-GALE FAMILY.)

Shrubs with alternate, simple, resinous-dotted often aromatic, mostly stipulate leaves and
monoecious or dioacious flowers in small aments, — the pistillate globose or ovoid ; ovary
1-celled with a single erect ovule, surrounded by persistent scales ; fruit a dry nut or some-
times drupe-like and covered with a waxy secretion ; embryo without albumen.

1. MYRI'CA, L. BAYBERRY.

[The ancient name of some shrub.]
Flowers dioecious. STAMINATE FL. in oblong or cylindrical aments.

324 , WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Stamens 2-8, filaments somewhat united below, beneath a scale-like
bract with a pair of bractlets. PISTILLATE FL. in small ovoid aments,
Ovary with 3 scales at its base and 2 thread-like stigmas. Fruit a
small globular nut covered with wax-like grains. Leaves deciduous or
evergreen, more or less serrate.

1. M. cerif era, L. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, toothed towards the apex
or entire, shining and resinous — dotted on both sides ; sterile aments
loose, the bracts naked ; fruit spherical, distinct.
WAX-BEARING MYRICA. Bayberry. Wax-myrtle.

Shrub 3-8 feet high, much branched. Leaves 2-4 inches long and from >£ an inch to
nearly an inch wide, pubescent underneath. Flowers appearing before the leaves arc
fully expanded. Sterile aments about *£ an inch long. Nuts about the size of a pepper-corn
encrusted with a whitish dry wax.

Sandy soil : along the Sea-coast and Lake Erie. FL May. Fr. Aug. - Sept.

Obs. The foliage of this shrub is, when bruised, pleasantly fragrant.
In New England the wax which invests the berries is collected in con-
siderable quantities ; it is obtained by boiling the berries in water,
when the wax melts and rises to the surface. Under the name of Bay-
berry Tallow it is often used, in the rural districts at the east, to make
candles either alone or mixed with tallow ; it is also employed in soap-
making, and great quantities are consumed for an apparently insignificant
use, — the stiffening of the ends of circular or solar lamp wicks. An-
other species, the Sweet Gale (M. Gale, L.), is also found along the
borders of ponds, but is has no important uses. Compto'nia aspleni-
fo'lia, Ait., the Sweet Fern — well known for its fern-like foliage and
aromatic odor, belongs to this order. An infusion of the leaves is of
reputed value in dysentery, and the dried leaves afford material for
juvenile cigars.

ORDER LXIX. BETULA'CE^E. (BIRCH FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs with alternate simple leaves, deciduous stipules and mono3cious flowers in
scaly aments ; bracts 2-3-flowered ; involucre none ; ovary 2-celled, 2-avuled, becoming a
compressed, often winged, dry and indehiscent 1-seeded nut.

1. BET'ULA, Tournef. BIRCH.

[The ancient Latin name.] .

STAMINATE AMENTS with the scales peltate, bibracteolate, 3 - flowered.
Calyx a scale. Stamens 4 ; anthers subsessile, oblong, 1-celled. PIS-
TILLATE AMENTS with the scales 3-lobed, imbricated. Calyx none.
Ovaries 3 under each scale. Stigmas 2, filiform. Nut lenticular, sama-
roid or wingefl. Mostly trees with the outer bark separable in thin
horizontal sheets, that of the small branches dotted. Twigs and leaves
often aromatic.

* Bark of the trunk white : petioles slender: fertile catkins cylindrical,
peduncled.

BIRCH FAMILY.

325

1. B, al'ba, var. populifo'lia,

Spach. Leaves triangular taper-
pointed, unequally serrate, smooth on
both sides.

POPLAR-LEAVED VARIETY OP THE
WHITE BETULA. White Birch.

Trunk 20-25 feet high with a chalky-white
bark and numerous slender branches. Leaves
2-3 inches long, heart-shaped or somewhat
truncate at base with a very long point ; peti-
oles half the length of the leaves. Fertile
aments at first erect, but at length pendulous.

Poor soils. Maine to Pennsylvania along
the coast. Fl. April. Ft: August.

Obs. A very graceful tree growing
on the poorest soil. The wood,
though not of the first quality for
fuel, makes good charcoal. The
straight stems of the young trees
are used by farmers and gardeners
as supports for bean vines, and the
brushy tops are similarly used for pea vines

2, B. papyra'cea, Ait. Leaves
ovate, acuminate, doubly serrate, —
the veins beneath hirsute, petioles
glabrous ; lateral lobes of the fertile
aments short, sub-orbicular.

PAPER BETULA. Paper Birch. Canoe

Birch.

«

Stem 40 -60 or 70 feet high, and l-^ or 3
feet in diameter ; branches slender or flexi-
ble,—the shining brown bark dotted with
white. Leaves 2-3 inches long ; petioles about
half an inch long. Pistillate aments about an
inch long, pendulous on a peduncle three-
fourths of a:i inch in length.

New England and Canada. Fl. April - May .
Fr. July -August. *

Obs. This tree is remarkable, as
furnishing, in its thin, firm and dura-
ble bark, the material of which
the Aborigines of our country made
their portable Canoes. Various
other articles — as boxes, baskets, &c.
are manufactured from the bark, which readily separates into thin

FIG. 224. The White Birch (Betula alba, var. populifolia)
FIG. 225. The Canoe or Paper Birch (Betula papyracea).

326 t WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

paper-like layers. The wood is valuable for some kinds of cabinet work,
though it is not very durable, when exposed to the weather ; that of
the heart is reddish; the sap-wood white.

** Bark of the trunk reddish-brown or yellowish : petioles short : fertile
catkins ovoid oblong, scarcely peduncled.

3. B, ni'gra, L. Leaves rhomboid-
ovate, acute, doubly serrate, entire at
base, pubescent beneath ; scales of
the fertile aments villous, — the lobes
sub-linear, obtuse.

BLACK BETULA. Black Birch. Red
Birch.

Stem 40 - 60 or 70 feet high, and 1-2 feet in
diameter, — the young trees and branches with
a smoothish cinnamon-colored bark, the outer
layers of old bark exfoliating in thin revolute
laminae or sheets. Leaves 1-4 inches -long ;
petioles 1 fourth to 3 fourths of an inch in
length ; stipules small, oblong-lanceolate. Stam-
inate aments 2-3 inches long, flexible and pen-
dulous. Pistillate aments about an inch long,
oblong, obtuse, on short peduncles ; scales
3-cleft two-thirds of their length, — the seg-
ments equal, linear or spatulatc-linear, obtuse.
Nut. compressed, ovate, with a membranace-
ous margin which is widest towards the base.

Low grounds ; banks of streams : Massa-
chusetts, Southward. Fl. April. Fr. Aug.

Obs. The timber is close-grained*and durable when not exposed to
the weather. The wood is said to be highly valuable as fuel. The
virgate branches were famous instruments in the hands of pedagogues,
of the olden time, in promoting good order and a close attention to
study, among the rising generation, to which the poet PHILLIPS refers,
when he sings of

" afflictive Birch

Cursed by unlettered idle youth."

But " the march of mind," in the present day, has rendered such auxili-
aries nearly obsolete ! The flexible twigs of this species, — instead of
being used to stimulate idle boys to learn their lessons — are chiefly
employed for making coarse brooms, to sweep streets and court-yards, in
our cities.

FIG. 226. The Black or Red Birch (Betula nigra).

BIRCH FAMILY.

327

4. B. len'ta, L. Loaves cordate-
oblong, acuminate, sharply serrate,
hairy on the veins beneath ; scales of
the pistillate aments roughish-pubes-
cent, — the lobes ovate-lanceolate,
rather acute, prominently veined.
SOFT OR PLIANT BETULA. Sweet
Birch. Cherry Birch.

Stem 30-60 feet high, and 1-2 feet in
diameter ; branches numerous, slender, pli-
able, smooth and dotted with small white
scars. Leaves 3-4 inches long, thinnish,
varying from ovate oblong to obovate, mostly
somewhat cordate, and often a little unequal
at base — the upper surface sprinkled with
long hairs — the margin and nerves beneath
hairy ; petioles about half an inch long, pilose.
Staminate aments 2-3 inches long, larger than
in the preceding species. Pistillate aments
about an inch long, and two thirds of an inch
in diameter ; scales 3-cleft nearly half their
length— the lobes prominently keeled and
nerved, hirsutely ciliate. Nut compressed,
elliptic-obovate, acute at each end, with a

membranaceous margin which is broader Cowards the summit, and somewhat ciliate, but
everywhere narrower than in the preceding.

Mountain forests : throughout the United States. Fl. April. Fr. August.

Obs. The wood of this species is colored reddish, — something like that
of the Wild Cherry (Cerasus serotina, DC.) ; and it is used, like that, in
making cabinet-ware, bedsteads, &c. The bark and young twigs are
pleasantly aromatic, — and were formerly employed in domestic brewings,
diet-drinks, &c. The Yellow Birch ( B. excel'sa, Ait.), which is com-
mon northward, belongs in this group ; it is readily distinguished by its
yellowish silvery or pearly bark.

2. AL'NUS, Tournef. ALDER.

[The Latin name for the Alder.]

STAMINATE AMENTS somewhat clustered, cylindric, drooping, with the
scales peltate, 5-bracteolate beneath, 1 -3-flowered. Calyx 4-parted.
Stamens 4, inserted at the base of the calyx-lobes, and opposite them ;
anthers 2-celled. PISTILLATE AMENTS with the scales imbricated, fleshy,
2-flowered. Calyx of 4 scale-like sepals, adhering to the base of the
bracts, all persistent and becoming woody in fruit. Ovaries 2 under
each scale, sessile, 2-celled ; ovules solitary, pendulous ; stigmas 2, fili-
form. Nuts angular, sometimes winged.

1. A. serrula'ta, Willd. Leaves obovate, sub-acuminate, doubly ser-
rulate, smooth and green on both sides ; stipules oval, obtuse.

Fro. 227. The Sweet or Cherry Birch (Betula lenta).

328 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

SERRULATE ALNUS. Common Alder. Candle Alder.

Stem 3-10 or 12 feet high, and half an inch -1 or 2 inches in diameter, with crooked
and rather rigid branches. Leaves 2-4 inches long, strongly nerved, sub-plicate, thick
and subcoriaceous, smoothish ; petioles about half au inch long. Staminate aments one and
a half to near 3 inches long, cylindrical, slender, flaccid, pendulous and sub-fasciculate
near the ends of the branches ; scales reddish-brown ; anthers yellow. Pistillate aments
half an inch to near an inch long, oblong, rigid, dark purplish-brown, persistent, on short
lateral branches below the staminate ones — when in flower, bristled with the dark-purple
exserted stigmas.

Swamps and margins of rivulets : throughout the United States. Fl. March - April.
Fr. October.

Obs. This shrub is of little or no value, — and is only noticeable as a
frequent intruder in swampy meadows, and along rivulets, — where, if
neglected, the bushy growth soon gives the premises a slovenly appear-
ance. It is true, the Alders often make a comfortable shade for the
trout, in the little pools of our meadow rivulets ; but the tidy farmer
likes to keep even the margins of those streams clear of weeds and
bushes. The Speckled Alder (A. incana, Willd.) is found in similar
situations in New-England and northward. It is distinguished from the
Common Alder by the polished appearance of its bark, and the whitened
under surface of its leaves.

ORDER LXX. SALICA'CE^E, (WILLOW FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs, with alternate simple leaves, persistent and leaf-like or scaly and deciduous
stipules and dioecious flowers in aments with 1-tlowcred bracts. Calyx and corolla none. Sta-
mens 1-many. Ovary 1-celled, or imperfectly 2-celled, mtmy-oculed ; styles 2, very short,
or more or less united ; stigmas 2-lobed. Fruit a 2-valved pod with numerous seeds,
clothed with a long silky down.

1. SA'LIX, Tournef. WILLOW.

[The ancient classical name.]

Aments with the scales or bracts entire. STAMINATE FL. of 2 - 6 stamens
accompanied by 1 or 2 little glands. PISTILLATE FL. with a small
gland at the base of the ovary on the inner side ; stigmas short. Trees
or shrubs with numerous round flexible branches ; leaves usually long and
narrow, entire or glandular-serrate, from buds covered by a single scale.
* Aments appearing before the leaves, lateral and sessile : stamens 2.

1. S. VIMINA'LIS, L. Leaves linear lanceolate, very long and taper-
pointed, white and satiny beneath ; ovary sessile, long and narrow,
woolly or silky.
Osier. Basket Willow.

A large shrub or small bushy tree, with long, straight and slender branches, the young
twigs yellowish and pubescent. Leaves 3-6 inches long, of a satiny lustre beneath. Aments
cylindrical ovoid, densely clothed with long silky hair.

Wet meadows and cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. April.

Obs. This species, the common Osier of Europe, is cultivated to some
extent for its long flexible branches which are wrought into baskets.

WILLOW FAMILY. 329

The most of the Osier used in this country is imported ; the labor required
in peeling the twigs will probably prevent that raised in this country
from successfully competing with the foreign article.

** Aments produced with the leaves at the summit of short lateral leafy
branches, peduncled, long and loose : branches brittle at base.

f Ovary sessile, smooth : stamens 2.

2. S. al'ba, L. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate,
acuminate, denticulate, silky glaucous
beneath ; stipules lanceolate ; styles short
WHITE SALIX. White Willow.

Stem 30-60 feet high, much branched : branches
rather erect, with a pale greenish-yellow bark.
Leaves 2-4 inches long, the lower teeth glandular ;
petioles 1-2 lines in length. Pistillate aments 2-3
inches long, greenish.

About houses, &c. Native of Europe. Fl. April.

229

Obs. The White Willow, if I mistake not, is the one which is pre-
ferred, and cultivated, by the manufacturers of Gun Powder, for the
purpose of making charcoal. It was introJuccd as a shade tree about
our old settlements, but is now generally superseded by the Weeping
Willow. It is however partly naturalized in some localities. The var.
vitellina, — Yellow Willow or Golden Osier, — has orange-yellow branches
and rather shorter and broader leaves ; it is often seen, as a shade tree,
and partly naturalized.

ff Ovary stalked, smooth : stamens 2-6.

3. S. fra'gilis, var. Russelliana, Carey. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate,
serrate-dentate with the teeth incurved, somewhat glaucous beneath, and
slightly silky while young ; stipules half heart-shaped ; styles con-
spicuous.

Brittle Salix. Bedford Willow.

Stem 30-50 feet high ; branches rather erect with a greenish-brown smooth bark, some-
what pubescent when young, remarkably brittle at base. Leaves 2-4 inches long, acute
at each end, finally smooth ; petioles 2-6 lines in length, glandular and somewhat pubes-
cent. Pistillate aments 2-2% inches long. Pods tawny-green.

Low grounds. Native of England. Fl. May.

Obs. This is one of the species cultivated for basket work.

4. S. BABYLO'NICA, L. Young branches very slender, flaccid and pendu-
lous ; leaves linear-lanceolate, acuminate, sharply serrulate or nearly
entire ; stipules minute, ovate, glandular-dentate ; aments recurved.
BABYLONIAN SALIX. Weeping Willow. Drooping Willow.

FIG. 228. Staminate flower of the White Willow (Salix alba) , consisting of two stamens
with a gland at the base, borne on a scale of the ament. 229. A pistillate flower, an
ovary with a gland upon a scale of the ament.

330 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Stem 30 - 50 feet high, and 2 -3 or 4 feet in diameter at base, widely branching above, —
the young branches greenish, very numerous, slender, long and perpendicularly pendent.
Leaves 2-4 or 5 inches long, narrow-lanceolate, the larger ones with a long acuminatum,
smooth ; petioles 1-2 lines long. Pistillate aments about an inch long, mostly ascending
or turned up, on the pendulous branches ; scales lanceolate, smooth.

About houses : introduced. Fl. April. Fr.

Obs. This elegant and interesting species — a native of the East — is
deservedly admired, and much cultivated, as a shade tree. The pistillate
plant, only, has been introduced to this country. Its specific name was
given, by LINNAEUS, under the idea that it might be the tree so touch-
ingly referred to in the 137th Psalm : — " By the rivers of Babylon,
there we sat down ; yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We
hanged our harps upon the Willows in the midst thereof." There are
many others of this difficult genus, mostly native species, abundant in
low grounds ; they are mostly low shrubs, and though great puzzles to
the botanist, are of but little interest to the farmer.

2. PO^'ULUS. Tournef. POPLAR.

[Latin, Populus, the people ; the tree of 'the people ; being used to shade public walks.]

Aments with laciniate or fringed bracts. Calyx subturbinate, — the
limb oblique, lengthened in front, entire, surrounding the stamens or
pistil. Stamens 8-12, or more; — the filaments free. Stigmas 2, elon-
gated. Capsu'c 1-celled, 2-valved. Trees with more or less angular,
often stoutish, branches ; buds with numerous scales covered with a res-
inous varnish, and usually broad, more or less heart-shaped leaves on
long laterally-compressed petioles. Flowers in long pendulous aments
appearing before the leaves, — bracts and calyx similar in both kinds.

1. P. tremuloi'des, MX. Leaves cordate-orbicular, abruptly acuminate,
unequally dentate-serrulate, pubescent on the margin ; bracts deeply 3 -
4-lobed, divisions linear.

TREMULA-LIKE POPULUS. American Aspen.

Stem 30-50 or 60 feet high, and 12-18 inches h) diameter, with a smoothish cinereous
bark. Leaves about 2 inches in length, and rather wider than long ; petioles 2-3 inches
long, slender, smooth, snbterete towards the base, laterally compressed or vertically
dilated near the leaf, which disposes the leaf to be agitated by the slightest motion of the
air. Pistillate agents 3 - 4 or 5 inches long.

Low swampy grounds : Northern and Middle States. Fl. April. Fr. May.

06s. This is a rather pretty tree, — and is occasionally planted about
houses and lawns, for shade and ornament. It is admired for the ex-
treme mobility of its leaves ; and is, moreover, in considerable repute
for the tonic properties of its bark. The large-toothed Aspen, or Large
Poplar (P. grandidentata, MX.) is common northward ; it is a larger
tree than the preceding and differs from it in having much larger, round-
ish and coarsely-toothed leaves, and the scales of the aments cut into 5
or 6 unequal small lobes.

WILLOW FAMILY. 331

2. P. monilif era. Ait. Leaves broadly deltoid, with spreading promi-
nent nerves, slightly heart-shaped or truncate at base ; scales lacerate
fringed, not hairy.
NECKLACE-BEARING POPLAR. Cotton-wood.

Trunk 40 - 80 feet or more in height ; the young shoots slightly angled. Leaves 2-3 inches
long, and about the same width, serrate on the margin with cartilaginous, incurved and
slightly hairy teeth. Stigmas nearly sessile, very large and dilated.

Margins of streams : especially Westward. April.

Obs. This tree has a wide range, being found from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.- This and other species are popularly known as Cotton-woods,
and in many regions form almost the only timber. It gets its specific
name from the resemblance of the long amcrit of ripened fruit to a string
of beads or necklace. Another of the Cotton-woods of the West and
South is P. angulata, Alt., which has its branches acutely angled or
winged ; both this and the preceding bear very large heart-shaped leaves,
7-8 inches in length on the yourig plants and suckers, while on the old
trees they are only about one quarter that size and not often heart-
shaped at base.

3. P. GR^'CA, Ait. Branches terete ; leaves cordate-ovate, acuminate,
obsoletely serrate, somewhat ciliate.
GRECIAN POPULUS. Athenian Poplar.

Stem 30-50 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter, with irregular and rather spreading
branches. Leaves 4-6 or 8 inches in length, and as wide as long ; pdinles l%-3 inches
long, laterally compressed near the leaf. Pistillate aments 3-6 inches long.

About houses : cultivated. Native of Greece. Fl. April. Fr.

Obs. This species was introduced, as a shade tree, about 40 years ago ;
but it was not generally adopted, — and is now nearly superseded by
more eligible ones. We have only the pistillate plant in this country ;

FIG. 230. The Cotton-wood (Populus monilifera). 231. A fringed scale from a stamiuate
ament. 232. Portion of a fertile ament.

332 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

and the cotton which is shed from the capsules is so abundant as to
render the tree objectionable, in the immediate vicinity of dwellings. It
is stated in SELBY'S History of British Forest Trees (1842) that the
North American Continent is probably the " real native country " of
this Poplar. If so, AITON'S specific name (Graca) was an unfortunate
misnomer ; a mistake, however, not uncommon in vulgar names.

4. P. DILATA'TA, Ait. Leaves much dilated, nearly deltoid, acuminate,
serrate, glabrous on both sides.

DILATED POPULUS. Lombardy Poplar. Italian Poplar.

Fr. Peuplier Italien. Ger. Lombardische Pappel. Span. Alamo de

Lombardia.

Stem 60 - 80 feet high, and 1 - 2 or 3 feet in diainuter ; branches numerous, nearly erect,
forming a close conical symmetrical top. Leaves 2-3 inches long, and wider than long ;
petioles about 2 inches long, laterally compressed near the leaf. Staminate aments 2-3
inches long.

About houses and along avenues : cultivated. I\Tative of Italy. Fl. April. Fr.

Obs. This was a favorite ornamental tree, for a number of years ; but
a more correct taste has prevailed of late years, and we no longer see
the long avenues of these stiff ungraceful trees that were formerly so
common. Mr. WATSON, in his Annals of Philadelphia, says it was in-
troduced to that city, from England, in the year 1784, by WILLIAM
HAMILTON, Esq., of the " Woodlands," west side of the river Schuylkill.
The Botanical Editor of Rees's Cyclopaedia, however, thinks they have
only the pistillate plant in England, — whereas it was the staminate plant
that was introduced by Mr. HAMILTON ; and he may have procured it
from Italy. All the Lombardy Poplars that are, or have been, in the
U. States, may be considered as elongations, branches, or offsets, of
the tree from which Mr. HAMILTON obtained his specimen.

5. P. AL'BA, L. Leaves roundish heart-shaped, or often 3-lobed,
coarsely toothed, smooth and green above, mostly white and densely to-
mentose beneath.

WHITE POPULUS. Silver Poplar. Abele-tree.

Stem 30 - 60 feet high, with spreading branches and smooth greyish-white bark. Leaves
2-3 inches long, — sometimes glabrous on both sides when old ; petioles 1-2 inches in
length. Aments 1-2 inches long, the bracts finely laciniate and ciliate with white hairs.

0!>s. This species is often cultivated as a shade-tree. In point of
beauty it bears no comparison with numbers of the natives of our own
forest, while the numerous suckers which it sends up make it a real nui-
sance. Some of the grass-plats in the public squares of New York have
been quite overrun by* the wide-spreading suckers of this tree ; even in
closely-paved streets they work their way up between the stones. It
should be discarded altogether.

The Balsam Poplar (p, balsamifera,£.) and its variety candicans,
are found in the northern portions of the Union ; they have their large
buds covered with a fragrant resin or varnish. A tincture of the buds

PINE FAMILY. 333

is often made by the country people to apply to cuts and wounds, and is
highly valued by those who like to see how such things will heal in spite
of useless applications. The var. candi'cans, called Balm of Gilead, is
frequently cultivated, as its fragrance in spring is exceedingly agreeable.

SUB-CLASS II.

GYMNOSPER'MOUS EXOGENOUS PLANTS.

PISTIL represented by an open scale or leaf, or sometimes entirely want-
ing ; the ovules and seeds consequently naked (i. e. without a proper
pericarp) ; style and stigma none, fertilization taking place by a direct
application of the pollen to the ovules. Cotyledons often more then two.

ORDER LXXI. CONIF'ER^E. (PINE FAMILY.)

Trees or shrubs with resinous juice, needle-shaped or awl-shaped leaves and monoecious or
dioecious flowers in aments, without calyx and corolla. Ovules straight. Embryo in the axis
ol fleshy and oily albumen.

A valuable and very interesting Order of peculiar Botanical character, comprising some
of the most magnificent trees known, and valuable for their timber as well as for their
l)rod ucts, which include the turpentines, resins, pitch, tar, &c. The woody fibre of the
plants of this order, under a high magnifying power, exhibits peculiar circular disks or
markings.

PINE SUB-FAMILY.

Fertile flowers in aments, consisting of numerous persistent carpellary scales, each scale
subtended by a bract ; forming in fruit a strobile or cone. Ovules 2 at the base of each
carpellary scale, their orifice turned downwards. Seeds winged. Buds scaly.
Leaves 2-5 in a cluster, from the axil of a thin scale, needle-shaped,

evergreen. 1. Fixes.

Leaves all scattered on the branches, evergreen. 2. ABIES.

Leaves many in a cluster on side-spurs, and scattered along the shoots

of the season, mostly falling in autumn. x 3. LARIX.

CYPRESS SUB-FAMILY.

Fertile aments, consisting of a few carpellary scales, without bracts,

with one or several erect ovules at their base. Fruit a roundish

strobile or drupe-like. Buds naked.

* Flowers monoecious. Strobile dry, opening at maturity.

Fruit of few oblong nearly flat loose scales. Ovules 2. Leaves ever-

green, scale-like, closely imbricated on the flattened branches. 4. THUJA.

Fruit woody and round ; scales shield-shaped. Seeds 2 ormore.onthe

stalk of each scale. Leaves evergreen, scale-like or awl-shaped. 5. CUPRESSTTS.
Fruit round and woody ; scales shield-shaped and thickened. Seeds 2

on the base of each scale. Leaves falling in autumn, linear, 2-

ranked. 6. TAXODIUM.

** Flowers mostly dioecious. Fruit berry-like, not opening at matu-

rity.
Fruit 3-6 coalescent 1-3-ovuled scales, becoming fleshy. 7. JUNIFERUS.

YEW SUB-FAMILY.

Fertile flower solitary, consisting of a naked ovule ripening into a nut-

ere ower soary, conssng o a nae ovue rpe
like or drupe-like seed. Ovary entirely wanting. Buds scaly.
Ovule erect, surrounded at the base by an annular disk, which forms

a berry-like cup around the nut-like seed. Leaves evergreen, linear. 8. TAXUS.
Ovule, &c., nearly as in Taxus : leaves broadly deltoid, deciduous 9. SAIJSRCRIA.

334

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. PI'NUS, L. PINE.

[The classical Latin name.]

Flowers monoecious. STAMINATE AMENTS clustered in terminal spikes.
Stamens numerous, inserted on the axis ; anthers subsessile, 2-celled,
opening lengthwise, covered at apex by the dilated scale-like connective.
FERTILE AMENTS solitary or clustered ; the carpellary scales with de-
ciduous bracts and each bearing a pair of inverted ovules at its base.
Fruit a cone formed of the woody scales which are thickened at apex
(except in the White Pines), persistent and spreading when ripe and
dry ; the nut-like seeds partly sunk in an excavation at the base of each
scale, and winged by an adhering portion of its lining. Cotyledons 3-12,
linear. Trees with leaves in bundles of 2 - 5, needle-shaped, each fascicle
from the axils of a chaffy scale. Fruit generally maturing in the au-
tumn of the second year after flowering.

* Leaves 2-3 (rarely 4) in a sheath : bark rough : cones woody, scales
thickened at me end and mostly tipped with a spine.

f Leaves in twos, except in No. 3.

1, P. in'ops, Ait. Leaves rather short ; strobiles oblong ovoid, often
curved ; spines of the scales slender and straight.

FIG. 233. A branch of a Pine with stamiuate amonts at the top. 234. A stamen. 235.
A branch with pistillate aments at the apex and the fruit (cone) below. 236. A scale
from the fertile ament with two ovules at its base. 237. Scale from a ripe cone, with one
of the two seeds removed. 238. The germinating embryo of a Pine, with several cotyle-
dons.

PINE FAMILY. 335

POOR OR DESTITUTE PINUS. Jersey or Scrub Pine.

Stem 15-40 feet high, with straggling branches. Leaves \% to near 3 inches long,
Staminate aments oblong-ovoid, violet-purple. Cones 2-4 inches long.
Barren hills, &c. New Jersey, southward.

06s. The wood of this tree is said to be of but little value.

2. P. resino'sa, Ait. Leaves from long sheaths, semi-cylindrical;
scales of the cones pointless.

RESINOUS PINUS. Red Pine.

Trunk 70 - 80 feet in height and of a nearly uniform diameter for two-thirds of its length ;
the bark reddish. Leaves 5-6 inches long, dark green. Cones about 2 inches long, some-
times in clusters.

New England to Pennsylvania, north and west.

06s. This tree is known in New England as the Norway Pine, a
name which is applied in Europe to quite another tree. The wood is
valuable, though less so than that of the Pitch Pine.

3. P, mi'tis, MX. Leaves in pairs, often in threes, slender, channelled,
from long sheaths ; cones ovoid-conical, small ; scales with a small, weak
prickle.

SOFT PINUS. Yellow Pine (of the North).

Stem 40 - 60 or 80 feet high, and 1-2 feet or more in diameter, with the bark in rather
broad flat scales. Leaves 3- 5 inches long, slender, linear, dark green, mostly in pairs
(sometimes in threes, ou young branches). Strobiles (or cones) 2-3 inches long.

New England to Wisconsin and south ; abundant in New Jersey.

06s. This tree affords valuable lumber, — and is much employed in
the construction of houses, and merchant vessels ; but is much inferior
in qualits to the Yellow Pine of the South.

ff Leaves in threes, (rarely sometimes in fours.}

4. P. rig'ida, Miller. Leaves rigid, from very short sheaths ; cones
ovoid-conical or ovate, often clustered; scales with a short and stout
recurved prickle.

RIGID PINUS. Pitch Pine.

Tmnfc30-60 feet high, rugged and knotty from the bases of fallen branches. Leaves
3-5 inches long, dark green, flattish. Cones 1-3% inches long.
Sterile soil : New England, southward.

06s. This species in barren and sandy districts forms woods where
scarcely any other tree will grow. The wood is hard and filled with re-
sin, and when it can be obtained free from knots, it forms valuable lum-
ber for many purposes. It is used to some extent in ship building, and
largely consumed as fuel, — especially for steam-engines.

5. P. tse'da, L. Leaves long and rigid, with elongated sheaths : cones
oblong ; the scales with a short incurved spine.

Loblolly or Old Field Pine.

336 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Trunk 50-100 feet high, with a thick, coarse, deeply-furrowed bark. Leaves 6-10
inches long, light green. Cones 2-5 inches long.
Virginia and southward.

Ob". A much more abundant and less valuable tree than the next ;
its wood containing much less resin. According to Elliott, " its seed
is dispersed so easily and so universally over the country, that all lands
which are thrown out of cultivation are immediately covered with this
tree."

6. P. pains 'tris, L. Leaves fasciculate in threes, very long ; scales of
the branches pinnatifid, portions of them persistent ; strobiles elongat-
ed, conoid, — the scales armed with small recurved spines.

MAKSH PINUS. Yellow Pine (of the South). Long-leaved Pine.

Stem 80-100 feet high, and 2-3 or 4 feet in diameter, with a smoothish bark— the
branches rough with the persistent remains of the stipules (stipules ramentaceous).
Leaves 9-15 inches long. Strobiles 6-9 inches long.

Sandy soils : Virginia to Florida. Fl April. Fr. August -September.

Obs. This is a most important and valuable species. It yields the
firmest and most durable lumber, for house and ship building, of any of
the genus. The superior " heart-pine " boards, for flooring, &c., and the
string pieces for railroads (where a wooden superstructure is used), are
furnished by this tree. " From the sap of the living tree," says Mr. EL-
LIOTT, " most of the turpentine of commerce is obtained." Tar is pro-
cured by charring the wood and roots of this, and other species, by
a smothered fire, which melts the turpentine and mixes it with the sap
and juices of the wood. Pitch is the residuum, left by boiling tar until
the watery portion is driven off. The ground where this tree prevails,
becomes tnickly covered by the long leaves — which the Southern people
call straw.

* * Leaves in Jives : bark smooth : scales of the cones neither thickened nor
prickly-pointed at the end.

7. P. Stro'bus, L. Leaves scarcely sheathed at base, long and slender ;
strobiles oblong, sub-cylindric, nodding.

White Pine. Weymouth Pine. New England Pine.

Stem 60 or 80-120 feet or more in height, and 2-4 or 5 feet in diameter, straight and
with a smooth bark — especially while young ; branches verticillate, slender, rather few
and those near the summit when the trees are crowded. Leaves 3-5 or 6 inches long,
linear, bluish or glaucous-green. Strobile 3-5 inches long, somewhat curved ; scales
cuneate-obovate.

Rich soils, bottom lands, along streams, &c.: Canada to Virginia. FL May. Fr. Aug. -
September.

Obs. This is also a most valuable tree, — furnishing an immense amount
of lumber, in the form of boards and scantling, — and, of late years —
since the Cypress has become somewhat scarce and dear — it is exten-
sively wrought into shingles. Being fine-grained, and comparatively
free from turpentine, the White Pine is much used for the interior wood-
work of houses — except floors, — for which purpose it is rather soft.

PINE FAMILY. 337

2. A'BIES, Tournef. SPRUCE. FIR.

[The classical Latin name.]

Slaminate aments scattered, or clustered near the ends of the branchlets.
Cones with thin and flat scales, not thickened nor spine-pointed at the
apex. Seeds with a persistent wing. Trees with solitary, scattered,
short and rather rigid evergreen leaves, which are frequently 2-ranked.

* Cones lateral, erect, the scales falling from the axis at maturity : leaves
flat, becoming 2-ranked, white underneath, blunt or notched at me apex. t

1. A. balsa'mea, Marshall. Leaves narrowly linear ; cones cylindrical,
large ; bracts obovate, serrulate, mucronate, slightly projecting, appressed.

BALSAMIC ABIES. Balsam Fir. Balm of Gilead Fir.

Trunk 40 - 60 feet high, with symmetrical branches, forming a conical top ; Zxzrfc smooth-
ish, containing numerous small sacs or blisters, filled with a transparent liquid resin.
Leaves about % of an inch long, light green above. Cones 3-4 inches long and about an
inch broad, violet purple ; the scales broad, rounded, thin and handsomely imbricated.

Cold woods and swamps ; northward.

Obs. A quick-growing but short-lived tree, which is very handsome
when young, but becomes rugged and unsightly when old. It is fre-
quently cultivated about houses, for ornament, and -is easily transplant-
ed. The resinous liquid which is contained in the blisters in the bark,
known as Canada, or Fir Balsam, is procured by puncturing the reser-
voirs and catching the liquid as it exudes ; it is very transparent, and of
a syrupy consistence, and is employed in making delicate varnishes, and
to a limited extent in medicine. The wood of the tree is of but little
value. The nearly related A. Fraseri, Pursh. — the Double Balsam Fir —
is found in Pennsylvania, and southward upon the mountains ; it differs
from the foregoing, in its smaller fruit, 1-2 inches long — which has ob-
long wedge-shaped bracts, with projecting and reflexed points ; it also
yields balsam. *

* * Cones terminal, hanging: scales not falling from the axis.
f Leaves flat, 1-ranked, whitened beneath.

2. A, Canaden'sis, MX. Young branches slender, drooping ; cones
elliptic-ovoid, small.

CANADIAN ABIES. Hemlock Spruce. Hemlock.

Stem 40-fiO or 70 feet high, and 1-2 or 3 feet in diameter, but tapering rapidly near
the top, with long horizontal or often rather depending branches, which are slender and
flaccid while young. Leaves half an inch to three quarters in length, shining green above,
bluish-glaucous beneath. Staminate flowers in small roundish-ovoid pedunculate aments,
which are racemosoly arranged around, and near the ends of the slender branches.
ftt mini™ terminal, somewhat pendulous, about an inch long, bluish-glaucous when young,
finally pale brown or ferruginous ; scales obovate, concave, with the apex rounded, thin
and entire.

Mountains and rocky banks, along streams : throughout the United States. Fl. May.
Fr. August - September.

15

338 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. This tree is so generally diffused throughout Northern America,
that it has been adopted, as emblematic, in Vignettes on maps, and other
devices, having reference to the country. It does not, however, afford a
very valuable timber, — though frequently sawed into scantling, and oth-
er lumber. The bark is much used, in the Northern States, in the pro-
cess of tanning ; and MARSHALL informs us, that the Aborigines used
it to dye their splints, for baskets, of a red color. The tree bears prun-
ing well, and makes a very excellent hedge or screen for the protection
of delicate plants, in those localities where strong winds prevail.

•ff Leaves k-angled, equally distributed around the branch.

3. A. EXCEL'SA, DC. Branchlets pendulous ; cones cylindrical, very
long ; scales rhomboid, somewhat wavy on the edge and slightly lacerate
at the tapering apex

TALL OR LOFTY ABIES. Norway Spruce or Fir.

Trunk 60-80 feet or more high. Leaves about an inch long, scattered but inclined to be
2-ranked. Cones 5-9 inches long, nearly cylindrical, light brown ; seed with one edge of
the wing a little thicker, like a maple key.

Cultivated. Native of northern Europe.

06s. This stately solemn-looking tree, with its numerous dark green
waving branchlets is now much planted for ornament, and is said to
flourish better than most of our native species. The Burgundy Pitch of
the shops is believed to be furnished by this species.

4. A. ni'gra, Poir. Leaves short, rigid, dark green ; cones ovate or
ovate-oblong ; scales with a thin wavy eroded edge.

BLACK ABIES. Black Spruce. Double Spruce.

Trunk 30 - 60 feet or more high, with a handsome conical top. Leaves % - % of an inch
long. Cones 1-2 inches long.
New England and northward.

Obs. Cultivated as an ornamental shade tree. The young shoots are
used to give the flavor to Spruce Beer ; a thick decoction obtained by
boiling the branches in water, is sold for the same purpose under the
names of " Essence of Spruce." The White Spruce (A. alba, MX.),
also known as Single Spruce, is sometimes cultivated ; it has longer
cones with the scales entire and firm on the edge, and a lighter colored
foliage. It is by some considered a variety of Black Spruce. Both
kinds afford a valuable timber, much employed in ship building, especial-
ly for the lighter spars, when toughness, lightness and elasticity are
required ; it is also used in the construction of houses.

3. LA'RIX, Tournef. LARCH.

[The ancient name.]

Aments lateral, scattered and bud-like. STAMINATE FL. nearly as in
Pinus. Cones erect, ovoid ; scales persistent. Seeds with a persistent

PINE FAMILY. 339

wing. Leaves deciduous and soft or evergreen and rigid, the primary
ones scattered, the secondary many in fascicles. Fertile aments crimson
or red in flower.

* Leaves rigid and evergreen.

1. L. CE'DRUS, Miller. Leaves rather few in the fascicles, needle-form,
pointed ; strobiles oval, obtuse, rather large.

CEDAR LARIX. Cedar of Lebanon.

Stem 30 - 50 or more feet high. Leaves % an inch to an inch in length. Cones 3-4
inches long ; scales broad, truncate, closely appressed.
Cultivated. Native of Syria.

Obs. This noble tree — so well known for the references to it in the
sacred volume — has been recently introduced, and bids fair to become
common in cultivation. The Deodar Cedar — a graceful evergreen,
with drooping branches, less rigid and rather longer bluish-green
glaucous leaves — has also been introduced : and apparently belongs to
this section.

** Leaves soft and deciduous.

2. L. America 'na, MX. Leaves thread-like ; cones ovoid, of few
rounded scales which are slightly inflexed on the margin.

AMERICAN LARIX. American or Black Larch. Hackmatack. Tama-
rack.

A slender tree, 20-50 feet high, with numerous nearly horizontal, irregular branches.
Leaves about an inch long, of a light bluish-green. Cones about half an inch long.
Canada to Virginia. Fl. May.

3. L. EUROPE 'A, DC. Leaves flattish ; cones oblong with the scales
slightly reflexed on the margin.

EUROPEAN LARIX. Larch. White Larch.

Stem 60 - 80 or more feet high. Leaves an inch or more in length. Cones about an inch
long, purple while young, finally reddish-brown.
Cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May.

Obs. The European and American Larches much resemble each other,
but the former is a handsomer tree with somewhat longer leaves and
larger cones. The timber of both kinds is highly valuable, being
strong, heavy and durable. It is much employed in ship building.
The European species is of the most rapid growth and much attention
is paid in Europe to its cultivation, and it might be advantageously
planted on many unproductive lauds in our country.

4. THU'JA, Tournef. ARBOR- VITJS.

[The ancient Greek name of some resinous tree.]

Aments terminal, ovoid, small moncecious, the two kinds on different
branches. Stamens with a scale-like connective or filament, bearing

340 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

4 anther-cells. FERTILE AMENTS with the scales imbricated, fixed by the
base, each bearing 2 erect ovules, dry and spreading at maturity. Co-
tyledons 2. Leaves evergreen, very short, appressed and imbricated on
the flattened branches.

1. T. occidentals, L. Branches spreading ; leaves closely appressed,
rounded on the back ; cones ovoid-oblong, scales obtuse, pointless.

WESTERN THUJA. American Arbor-Yitse.

Stem 20-50 feet high, with a conical top ; young branches 2-edged, diverging horizontally.
Cones half an inch long, in racemose clusters on the recurved brauchlets ; scales 1-soeded ;
Seed broadly winged.

New England and northwest.

Obs. This is a native of the cooler parts of the country and is fre-
quently cultivated as an ornamental evergreen. In the North it is
regarded as a valuable tree for its timber, which is very durable, though
difficult to procure of any great length.

2. T. ORIENTA'LIS, L. Branches erect ; leaves slightly sulcate in the
middle ; cones roundish-ovoid or obovoid, erect ; scales acute with con-
spicuous recurved or spreading points.

EASTERN THUJA. Chinese Arbor-Yite.

Stem 10 - 20 feet high, usually of a shrub-like habit, with numerous erect branches from
near the base — especially when young ; brandies diverging vertically or fan-like, with the
edges up and down. Cones sub-solitary, about half an inch long, deep green and glaucous.

Cultivated. Native of China and Japan.

Obs. This is a much smaller tree than the preceding, its foliage and
cones of much deeper green. It is often used for an ornamental hedge ;
and it is decidedly better for show than for service.

5. CUPEES'SUS, Tournef. CYPRESS.

[The classical name.]

Flowers monoecious on different branches, in terminal small aments.
STERILE AMENTS of shield-shaped scales bearing 2-4 anther-cells under
the lower margin. FERTILE AMENTS globular, of shield-shaped scales in
4 ranks, bearing several erect bottle-shaped ovules. Cones globular,
firmly closed, but opening at maturity ; the scales thick and woody,
pointed in the middle ; the few or several narrowly-winged seeds at-
tached to their base or stalk. Cotyledons 2-3. Strong-scented ever-
green trees, with very small and scale-like closely appressed imbricated
leaves and exceedingly durable wood.

1. C, thyoi'des, L. Leaves minute, ovate, with a small gland on the
back, closely imbricated in 4 rows on the 2-edged branchlets.

THUJA-LIKE CUPRESSUS. White Cedar.

PINE FAMILY. 341

Stem 30-80 feet high, and 1-2 feet in diameter, sparingly branched. Leaves evergreen,
very small and crowded, appressed to the branches. Strobiles one third to half an inch
in diameter.

Swamps and pine forests : New England to Georgia. Fl. April -May. Fr. September

Obs. This valuable tree is restricted to swamps, — where the straight
stems are exceedingly numerous and crowded — forming almost impen-
etrable dark groves, or clumps, of several acres. The wood is light,
soft, and very durable. Shingles were formerly made, to a considerable
extent, from the larger trees : but these are now chiefly wrought into
domestics wares, by the Cedar cooper. The smaller trees are used for
fence rails, — for which purpose they are highly valued. There is perhaps
no other wood land that will yield so much valuable timber per acre,
— and no description of territory, in some localities, that will command
half the price that can be obtained for good Cedar swamp.

6. TAXO'DIUM, Richard. BALD CYPKESS.

[Jkxus, the yew, and eidos, form ; the foliage having the habit of that plant.]

Flowers monoecious, on the same branches. STAMINATE AMENTS nume-
rous, arranged in a terminal pyramidal spike or raceme. Stamens few,
inserted towards the apex of the axis, which is naked at base ; filaments
short, thick, produced into a scale-like excentrically peltate connective
bearing 2-5 anther-cells. FERTILE AMENTS roundish-obovoid, sessile in
pairs at the base of the staminate spike ; scales numerous, inserted on
the axis, imbricated, acute, recurved-spreading at apex. Ovules 2 at the
base of each scale, sessile, erect, perforate at summit. Cone subglobose,
formed of angular subpeltate woody scales. Seeds angular ; embryo in
the axis of scanty albumen ; cotyledons 6-9.

1, T. dis'tichum, Rich. Leaves flat, pinnately arranged on short slen-
der deciduous branches which resemble common petioles.

DISTICHOUS TAXODIUM. Cypress. Bald Cypress.

FIG. 239. A scale from a staminate ament of Cypress (Cupressus), with the anthers at
its base. 240. A scale from a pistillate ament, with numerous ovules at its base. 241.
A cone.

342 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Stem 80-100 feet high, fastigiately branched at summit ; the trunk 2-4 feet, or more,
in diameter, often abruptly and much enlarged at base; the creeping or spreading rodts
protruding a number of large conical hollow knobs above the surface of the ground.
Leaves one-third to half an inch long, sublincar, acute, pinnately or distichously arranged
on alternate slender herbaceous branches (which rather resemble common petioles) 1-2
or 3 inches in length ; a number of leaves are also solitary, and scattered on the woody
branches.

Swamps, along large streams : Delaware to Louisiana. Fl. Feb. -April. Fr. Sept. -
October.

Obs. The wood of this noble and remarkable tree is soft, fine grained
and exceedingly durable. For many years it supplied the market with
those valuable roofing materials called " Cedar shingles " ; but since
these have become rather scarce and dear, they have been extensively
superseded by shingles made of the White Pine (Finns Strobus, L.),
which make a reasonably good substitute at a much less price.

7. JUNIP'ERUS, L. JUNIPER.

[The classical name.]

Flowers dioecious, — or rarely monoecious on distinct branches. STAMI-
NATE AMENTS axillary or subterminal, ovoid, very small. Anther-cells
3-6, attached to the lower edge of the shield-shaped scale. FERTILE
AMENTS axillary, ovoid, bracteate at base ; scales fleshy ; in fruit form-
ing a sort of berry, scaly-bracted at base, 1 - 3-ovuled. Seeds 1-3,
angular, bony. Cotyledons 2. Shrubs or trees with awl-shaped or scale-
like evergreen rigid leaves, often of two kinds.

1. J. commu'nis, L. Leaves in threes, linear-awl-shaped, spreading,
prickly-pointed, concave and glaucous above.

COMMON JUNIPERUS. Juniper.

Stem 6-10 feet high, with numerous erect branches or prostrate and spreading. Leaves
%-% of an inch long, sharp-pointed, bright green beneath. Staminate aments 2-3 lines
in length, russet-colored. Fi-uit a dark purple, about the size of a pea.

Dry rocky hills : New Jersey and northward.

Obs. This shrub is common both to Europe and this country ; there
are several varieties, the most common with us is the prostrate form.
The long branches extend in every direction, close to the surface of the
earth, forming large beds 10-15 feet in diameter and not more than
two feet high. In some parts of New England where it abounds, it is
a troublesome plant, as it is very difficult to extirpate it ; it is commonly
destroyed by burning. The berries are used to flavor Gin, or Geneva,
and the oil from them is sometimes used in medicine.

2, J. Virginia'na, L. Leaves in four rows, — on young plants and
rapidly growing shoots, awl-shaped and somewhat spreading in pairs
and threes — on the older ones very small and scale-like, triangular-ovate.

VIRGINIAN JUNIPERUS. Red Cedar.

PINE FAMILY. 343

Sfirubby, or a small tree., 20 - 50 feet high ; bark of the trunk separating in loose scales or
ribbons, that of the small branches purplish and smooth. Berries small, purplish, with a
glaucous bloom.

Common on dry hills.

06s. This tree, which is common in all parts of the country, is one
of the most widely extended in geographical range, it being found also
in Europe and Asia ; in high northern latitudes it becomes a prostrate
shrub. The wood is exceedingly durable, very light and close-grained ;
the heart wood is red, and is used in making lead pencils ; it is also
used for the manufacture of pails and tubs, and is employed in ship and
boat building.

8. TAX'US, Tournef. YEW.

[Probably from the Greek, Taxon, a bow ; the wood being used for bows.]

Flowers mostly dioecious, axillary, from scaly buds. STAMINATE AMENTS
globular, small, composed of naked stamens ; anther-cells 3 — 6, clustered
under a shield-shaped and somewhat lobed connective. FERTILE FLOW-
ERS solitary, scaly-bracted at base, consisting merely of a solitary naked
ovule seated in a cup-shaped disk which finally becomes pulpy and berry-
like, — sometimes' nearly enclosing the seed. Cotyledons 2. Leaves ever-
green, linear, rigid, mostly 2-ranked ; pulp of the disk orange red.

1. T. BACCA'TA, L. A low tree, finally with a large trunk ; leaves
acute, nearly flat, deep green, two-ranked or sometimes crowded round
the branches.

BERRIED TAXUS. Common Yew.

Stem (iu this country) but a few feet high ; tranches numerous and spreading. Leaves
%-~i% inch long, mostly two-ranked.
Cultivated : Native of Europe. Fl. April. Fr. Oct.

Obs. Frequently cultivated in rural cemeteries and church-yards. A
variety called the Irish Yew has compact branches and densely crowded
leaves. We have an indigenous Yew which was formerly considered
as a distinct species, but is now regarded as a variety of this, viz. : var.
Canaden'sis, Gray. A low diffusely branching shrub ; leaves two-
ranked.

American Yew. Ground Hemlock.

Stem 2- 4 feet high, with straggling branches. Leaves %-%ot&n inch long, entire,
dark green on both sides, narrowed at base into a very short petiole.
Common northward and southward on the mountains.

9. SALISBU'EIA, Smith. GINGKO.

[Dedicated to Anthony Salisbury ; an English Botanist.]

STAMINATE AMENTS axillary, filiform, pedunculate; anther-cells pendu-
lous from the lacerated scale-like connective. FERTILE FLOWERS termi-
nal, solitary, on simple or fasciculately branching peduncles ; ovule naked,

344

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

seated in a cup-shaped disk in the thickened concave apex of the pedun-
cle,— the disk finally becoming fleshy, embracing the base of the nut-
like seed. Cotyledons 2, linear, elongated. Trees ; leaves plicately invo-
lute in the bud, deciduous, alternate or somewhat fasciculate, on long-
petioles, fan-shaped and striate nerved, more resembling pkyllodia than
true leaves.

1, S. adiantifo'lia, Smith. Leaves
broadly wedge-shaped and trun-
cate, or inversely deltoid, often
bifidly incised at the apex, coria-
ceous and striate with diverging
nerves.

ADIANTUM-LEAVED SALISBURIA.
Giugko, or Jinkgo.

Stem 40-80 feet high, with a light grey
bark, and branching, with something the
habit of an Aspen. Leaves 2 — 3 inches
long and 3-4 inches wide at apex ; petioles
about 3 inches in length.

Cultivated : a native of Japan.

06s. A remarkable tree, and
very unlike the rest of the family
in its general appearance. For a
long time there was but one speci-
men in the country, but it is now
becoming frequent in cultivation.

ENDOGENOUS PLANTS.

STEM not distinguishable into bark, wood, and pith ; the woody fibre
and vessels collected into bundles and irregularly distributed through
the cellular tissue ; perennial stems without annual layers. Leaves
mostly parallel-veined and sheathing at base, almost always alternate or
scattered, and not toothed. Parts of the flower usually in threes. Em-
bryo with a single cotyledon.

ORDER LXXII. ARA'CEJE. (ARUM FAMILY.)

Perennial Jierbs with an acrid or pungent juice, simple or compound leaves, with petioles
sheathing at base, and monoecious or perfect flowers crowded on a spadix, which is
usually surrounded by a spathe. Floral envelopes none or of 4 - 6 sepals. Fruit usually
a berry ; seeds with fleshy albumen, or sometimes a large fleshy embryo, without albumen.

1. AEIS^E'MA, Martins. INDIAN TURNIP.

[A play upon Arum, the ancient name.]

Flowers monoecious, with the pistillate below on the same spadix, — or

FIG. 242. A branch of the Gingko or Jinkgo Tree (Salisburia adiantifolia) .

ARUM FAMILY. 345

dioecious by abortion. Spadix naked and elongated above. Floral en-
velopes none. STAMINATE FL. of whorls of 4 or more stamens ; filaments
very short ; anthers 2-4 celled. PISTILLATE FL. consisting of a 1-celled
ovary' with a depressed stigma, containing 5-6 straight ovules, erect
from the base of the cell. Fruit 1 - few-seeded ; seeds subglobose, albu-
minous. Perennial herbs with a tuberous rhizoma ; leaves dissected ;
petioles elongated ; spadix on a scape ; berries orange-red.

1. A, triphyl'lum, Torr. Leaves mostly in pairs, ternately divided, —
the segments elliptic-ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, entire, sessile ;
spadix clavate, obtuse, shorter than the spathe.

THREE-LEAVED ARIS,EMA. Indian Turnip.

Root perennial, consisting of numerous fibres proceeding from the base of an orbicular
depressed rugose cormus,' or subterranean stem. Aerial stem none. Leaves mostly 2
(sometimes solitary), ternate ; the leaflets or segments 2 or 3-6 or 8 inches long, smooth,
green or often purplish, thin and membrauaceous, or almost scarious, when dried ; com-
mon petioles 9-18 inches long, inserted on the cormus, and embracing the central scape
at base. Scape 6 - 15 inches high, situate between the leaves, the base inclosed by the
sheathing petioles. Spathe 3 - 5 inches long, — the lower half convolute, the upper half
(or limb) a little dilated, flat, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, and cucullately incurved, often
variegated with dark-purple and yellowish stripes and spots. Spadix mostly unisexual,
with the summit clavate, naked and smooth, much shorter than the spathe, but a little ex-
serted from the convolute portion. Berries numerous, in a dense oblong cluster around
the base of the spadix, orange-red or scarlet when mature.

Rich shaded grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. August -Septem-
ber.

Obs. The turnip-like subterranean stem (designated by the name of
Cormus}, is highly acrid in its fresh or green state ; but that quality is
dissipated, in a great measure, by boiling or drying. The recent tuber,
grated and boiled in milk, is a popular medicine in coughs and pulmonary
consumption. It is said to yield a starch equal in quality to that from
the potato, and a substance called Portland Arrowroot, or Portland Sago,
is prepared from it in some parts of England. A plant nearly allied to
this, called "Tanyer" — (the Tallo, or Tarro, of the New Zealanders), is
said to be cultivated, occasionally, in the gardens of the Southern States,
for the sake of the cormus, or tuberous rhizoma, — which is used at the
table as a substitute for the potato or yam.

2. SYMPLOCAR'PUS, Salisb.

[Greek, Symploke, connexion, and Karpos, fruit ; descriptive of the plant.]

Flowers with floral envelopes, perfect. Spathe conch-shaped, acuminate.
Spadix pedunculate, oval, or subglobose, densely covered with flowers.
Sepals 4, persistent, becoming fleshy or baccate. Stamens 4, opposite
the sepals ; filaments linear, flattened, included ; anthers 2-celled. Ovary
1-celled ; ovule single ; style 4-sided, tapering to a minute terminal
stigma. Berries coalescing, 1-celled, 1-seeded. Seed destitute of al-
bumen.

1, S, foe'tidus, Scdisb. Stemless ; leaves cordate-oval, enlarging ; spadix
oval.

346 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

FETID SYMPLOCAKPUS. Swamp Cabbage. Skunk Cabbage.

Root perennial, with fleshy fibres from a thick truncate rhizoma. Aerial stem none.
Leaves appearing after the spadix has flowered, at first orbicular-cordate, at length cor-
date-oval, becoming very large (often near 2 feet long, and a foot or more in width), en-
tire, smooth ; stipules expanding, ovate-oblong, acuminate, or often spatulate. Spathe
subsessile, spotted with purplish-brown, green, and yellow. Spadix about an inch in diam-
eter, on a short thick peduncle. Flowers compact, appearing tessellated. Sepals dark-
brown, fleshy, cuneate, truncate, the apex and margins inflected. Anthers slightly ex-
serted. Style, projecting a little above the sepals. Fruit fleshy, coalesced with the base
of the persistent sepals, and imbedded in the surface of the receptacle. Seeds globose,
about the size of a common garden pea.

Wet, low grounds : Canada to Virginia. Fl. Feb. -March. Fr. Sept.

Obs. This plant — so readily known by its skunk-like odor, when
wounded — is quite common in wet meadows, and other swampy low
grounds in the middle and northern States. It is a worthless weed,—
and its bunches of large leaves are sufficiently unsightly to command the
attention of the neat farmer.

3. AC' ORUS, L. SWEET FLAG.

[Gr. a, privative, and kore, the pupil of the eye ; a supposed remedy for sore eyes.]

Flowers perfect, without a proper spathe, crowded on a sessile sub-cylin-
dric spadix which emerges from the side of a scape which closely re-
sembles the leaves. Sepals 6, concave. Stamens 6, inserted on the base
of the sepals ; anthers reniform 1-celled, transversely dehiscent. Ovary
trigonous, 3-celled ; ovules numerous, pendulous ; stigma sessile, minute.
Fruit somewhat baccate, indehiscent. Seeds few, inverted, albuminous,
nestling in a gelatinous matter.

1, A. Cal'amus, L. Scape leaf-like, extending much above the lateral
spadix.

REED ACORUS. Calamus. Sweet Flag.

Fr. Acore odorant. Germ. Der Kalamus. Span. Acoro Calamo.

Root perennial, in coarse verticillate fibres from a horizontal creeping pungently aro~
matic rhizoma. Aerial stem none. Leaves radical, ensiform-lincar, 2-3 feet long, and
half an inch to near an inch wide, smooth. Scape as long as the leaves and much re-
sembling them, somewhat triangular below the spadix. Spadix 2-3 inches long, terete,
tapering to an obtuse point. Sepals greenish, cuneate-oblong, keeled, with scarious
margins.

Swampy meadows, ab'out springs, &c. Fl. May- June. Fr. Sept.

Obs. A native of Europe and Asia as well as some parts of this
country. The whole plant is warmly aromatic — especially the creeping
rhizoma ; and that subterraneous portion is deservedly popular for its
medicinal virtues. I have seen some wet meadows, however, in which
the plant had got possession to such an extent as to become something
of a nuisance, — and a difficult one to get rid of. It would be well,
therefore, in introducing it, to plant it only in circumscribed swamps.

CAT-TAIL FAMILY. 347

ORDER LXXIIL TYPHA'CE^E. (CAT-TAIL FAMILY.)

Marsh herbs, with linear or narrow-ensiform leaves, sheathing at base, and monoecious
flowers, destitute of proper floral envelopes in a dense cylindric spadix-like sjrike or glome-
rate in heads. Fruit nut-like when ripe, 1-seeded. Seed suspended ; embryo straight, in

1. TY'PHA, Tournef. CAT-TAIL.

[Greek, typhos, a bog or marsh ; from its place of growth.]

Flowers in a long dense terminal cylindric interrupted spike with an
intervening caducous spathe, — the upper portion consisting of stamens
only, intermixed with simple hairs, — the lower portion consisting of
ovaries surrounded by numerous clavate bristles ; style simple. Nutlets
minute, stalked. Smooth perennials with creeping r/uzomas, and simple
jointless stems and long narrow, thickish, erect leaves which nearly equal
the culm.

1. T, latifo'lia, L. Leaves somewhat ensiform-linear, flat ; staminate
and pistillate spikes mostly contiguous.

BROAD-LEAVED TYPHA. Cat-tail. Coopers' Reed. Reed-mace.
Fr. Masse d'eau. Germ. Die Rohrkolbe. Span. Espadaiia.

Culm 4-5 feet high, simple, terete, smooth, solid with pith, leafy at base. Leaves about
as long as the culm, and % - % of an inch wide, tapering at apex but obtuse, sheathing
the culm at base. Staminate spike, or spadix, 6-8 inches long, and near an inch in diam-
eter, yellowish-brown, with a sheathing membranaceous caducous spalhe as long as the
spike. Pistillate spike immediately below (and about as thick as) the staminate one,
4-6 inches long, greenish-brown, sometimes in contact or continuous with the staminate
spike, sometimes with a naked space of near half an inch between them.

Pools and swampy springs : throughout the United States. Fl. June - July. Fr. Sep-
tember.

06s. The leaves of this plant are (or formerly were) much used, by the
coopers, to secure the joints of casks, &c., from leaking. Poor people
sometimes collect the fruit with its hairy involucels, from the mature
spikes, for the purpose of filling beds ; but it becomes exceedingly dusty
and unpleasant, and is even unhealthy, — in every respect a miserable
substitute for clean Oats chaff, or cut straw. A narrow-leaved variety,
by some considered a species (T, angustifolia, L.}, is found in similar
situations ; it usually has the staminate and pistillate portions of the
spike separated by an interval.

ORDER LXXIY. ALISMA'CE^E. (WATER-PLANTAIN FAMILY.)

Marsh herbs with scape-like stems and perfect or monoecious flowers, not on a spadix, fur-
nished with both calyx and corolla ; sepals and petals each 3, distinct. Stamens hypogy-
iious. 6 -many. Ovaries 3 -many, becoming as many 1 -2-seeded pods or akenes. Se~d&
ascending or erect. Embryo without albumen. Leaves sheathing at base.

1. SAGITTA'RIA, L. ARROW-HEAD.

[Latin, Sagilia, an arrow ; from the prevailing form of the leaves.]

Flowers monoscious (sometimes dioecious), mostly whorled in threes, the

348

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

staminate ones above. Calyx green and persistent. Petals white, decid-
uous, imbricated in the bud. Stamens numerous ; anthers extrorse.
Ovaries many, in depressed-globose heads, in fruit becoming flattened
winged akenes. Smoothish perennials ; roots often tuberiferous ; leaves
polymorphous, usually sagittate ; scape sheathed at the base by the bases
of the long cellular petioles.

243

1. S. varia'bilis, Engelmann. Scape simple or branched ; leaves
very various, mostly sagittate ; pedicels of the fertile flowers about half
tho length of the sterile ones ; filaments awl-shaped, nearly twice the

FIG. 243. The Arrowhead (Sagittaria variabilis).

PINE-APPLE FAMILY. 349

length of the anthers ; akene obovate, with a long and curved beak i or ^
its length.

VARIABLE SAGITTARIA. Arrow-head.

Root perennial producing oval fleshy tubers (or rTiizomas) 1 -2 or 3 inches in diamoter.
Leaves 3 or 4- 8 or 10 inches long (including the lobes), and 1 or 2 -6 inches wide,
sagittate-lobed at base, — the lobes o vats-lanceolate, about as long as the lamina of the leaf ;
petioles 4-12 or 15 inches long. Scape 9 -18 inches high, smooth. Pedicels one quarter
to half an inch long, with membranaceous In-acts at base. Pistillate flowers with ovaries
forming depressed globose heads, which, in fruit, are one-half to two-thirds of an inch in
diameter.

Ditches and swampy springs ; throughout the United States. Fl. July - August. F):
September - October.

Obs. This plant frequently occurs in ditches and swampy places, and
is of a size to attract the notice of the observing farmer. Some 'half-
dozen varieties, founded on the variation in size and shape of the leaves,
are described. KALM says that the Indians and Swedes called the plant
" Katniss" ; and that the tubers were sometimes " as big as a man's fist" ;
that when roasted, they tasted well, but were rather dry. (See Travels,
vol. 2, pp. 96, 97.) Hogs are fond of the tubers, — and when these ani-
mals have access to their place of growth, are apt to disfigure the
ground very much by rooting. Draining is the remedy for this, and for
most other aquatic weeds.

The Alisma Plantago, L., or Water Plantain, (belonging to a genus
which represents the Order,) is frequent in wet places, — and at one time
made some noise among gossiping dealers in marvellous specifics, as a
certain remedy for Hydrophobia ; but it was soon forgotten, — and is
now scarcely noticeable, even as a weed.

ORDER LXXV. BROMELIA'CE^E. (PINE-APPLE FAMILY.)

Chiefly tropical herbs or suffruticose plants, often stemless with perennial rhizomas and
mostly by rigid, dry and channelled leaves sheathing at base and scurfy or scaly on the
surface. Flowers perfect, spicate, racemose, or paniculate, bracteate. Sepals 3. Petals
3. Stamens 6, or more. Ovary free, or adnate to the calyx, 3-celled ; style trigonous,
simple or sometimes separable into 3 ; stigmas 3. Fruit 3-celled, baccate and indehiscent,
or more frequently capsular and septicidally (or sometimes loculicidally) 3-valved. Seeds
mostly numerous ; testa coriaceous ; embryo small, straight or curved, in the base of mealy
albumen.

The plant of chief interest, in this Order, is that which affords the delicious Pine-apple ;
the fruit of which is formed by the consolidation or blending of the imperfect flowers,
bracts, and receptacle into one fleshy succulent mass, which is usually crowned with a
terminal tuft of leaves.

1. TILLAND'SIA, L. LONG Moss.

[Named in honor of Elias Tittands, a Swedish Botanist.]

Calyx free from the ovary, unequally 3-parted, persistent, — the segments
somewhat convolute. Corolla 3-cleft, tubular below, spreading above.
Stamens 6, hypogynous, — the alternate ones mostly adhering to the
petals ; anthers incumbent. Ovary 3-celled ; style filiform or dilated at
apex, straight or twisted. Capsule cartilaginous, cylindrical or ovoid,

350 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

3-celled, 3-valved. Seeds several, linear-clavate, stipitate, — the stipe in-
vested with pappus-like hairs ; embryo straight.

L T. usneoi'deSj L. Stem filiform, flexuose, branching, pendulous ;
leaves subulate-filiform ; peduncles 1-flowered, short.

USNEA-LIKE TlLLANDSIA. Long MOSS.

Perennial, parasitic, taking root in the fissures of the bark of trees. Stem 3-6 feet or
more in length, branched, pendulous in long tangled bunches from the limbs of old trees,
very slender, terete, covered and somewhat roughened (as well as the leaves) with minute
whitish membranaceoup scales which are dotted in the centre, — the centre of the stem
and leaves consisting of a black horny elastic thread. Leaves subterete, slender, acute.
Flowers yellowish-green, Pursh. (purple, Lmidan, Ency.), solitary, axillary, sessile, with
3 - 4 small leaves (or bracts) at base. Calyx and corolla deeply parted, — the segments
equal in length, lanceolate, membranaceous. Ovary oblong. Capsule nearly cylindrical,
2 -3-celled. Seeds several in each cell, oblong, acute at each end, comose.

Grows on the forest trees, in the low-land districts of the South. Fl. June - Sept. Fr.

Obs. This singular parasite extends as far north as the Dismal Swamp,
in Virginia ; but I have not had the pleasure of seeing it in its native
forests. Mr. ELLIOTT (from whose sketch I have chiefly derived the
above details) says, " black cattle eat this plant in winter with avidity,
and sometimes trees are felled, during a series of severe frosts, to place
the moss within their reach. The moss, when dried, is beaten until the
bark falls off, and the cartilaginous hair-like flexible stem used for stuff-
ing mattresses, chairs, &c." The uses, here mentioned, seem to entitle
the plant to a place in the present work.

ORDER LXX VI. SMILA'CEJE. (SMILAX FAMILY.)

Herbs or climbing shrubby plants with ribbed and netted-veined leaves and regular dioe-
cious or perfect/Zojrers. Perianth 6 - 10 parted ; stamens as many as the perianth-lobes.
Ovary free, 3-5-cclled ; styles or sessile stigmas many and distinct. Fruit a few -many-
seeded berry ; embryo minute, in a hard albumen.

1. SMI'LAX, Tournef. GREEN-BRIER.

[The ancient Greek name, meaning obscure.]

Flowers dioecious, in axillary pedunculate simple umbels. Calyx some-
what corolla-like, campanulate, deeply 6-parted, — or rather of 6 petaloid
sepals in two series, the outer ones broader. STAMINATE FL. Stamens
6 ; anthers linear, adnate to the filaments. PISTILLATE FL. Ovary 3-
celled ; ovules solitary ; stigmas 3, subsessile. Berry 1 - 3-celled, 1-3-
seeded. Shrubs or rarely perennial herbs, often evergreen and prickly,
climbing by tendrils on the petioles ; flowers greenish yellow.

1. S. rotundifo'lia, L. Stem shrubby, prickly, more or less 4-angled
or sub-terete ; leaves orbicular-ovate, acuminate, subcordate at base ;
common peduncles scarcely longer than the petioles.

ROUND-LEAVED SMILAX. Green-brier. Rough Bind-weed.

Plant glabrous, yellowish-green. Stem 20-30 (sometimes 50) feet long, slender, flexu-
ose, somewhat branched, armad with straight rigid prickles, and climbing by tendrils.

LILY FAMILY. 851

Leaves 2-3 inches long, and often as wide as long ; petioles one-third to three-fourths of an
inch long, striate, margined at base, giving out a simple, filiform, hut strong tendril on
each side, at the summit of the margin. Flowers greenish-yellow, in small globose
axillary umbels. Berries dark blue, or bluish-black with a glaucous bloom, when
mature.

Moist thickets and woodlands, — climbing bushes and trees : Canada to Carolina. Fl.
June. Fr. October.

Obs. This rugged shrubby vine is often abundant in moist low
grounds, — forming almost impenetrable thickets ; and is a great annoy-
ance to the woodman, when employed in clearing out such places. A
form with the branches 4-angled ; a smaller plant and seldom climbing
is yet more difficult to subdue. It is quite frequent in sterile old fields,
on our slaty hills, — and always indicates a low state of agriculture.
There are several other prickly species in the United States — especially
in the South ; and some of them may be as annoying to the planter or
farmer as these, — bul I cannot speak of them from my own knowledge.
We have an unarmed herbaceous species (S. herba'cea, L.) — frequent
along fence-rows and borders of thickets — which is chiefly remarkable
for the carrion-like fetor of its flowers.

ORDER LXXVII. LILIA'CEJE. (LILY FAMILY.)

Herbs with parallel-nerved, sessile or sheathing leaves and regular perfect flowers. Divi-
sions of the perianth petal-like, similar, 6. Stamens 6; antJiers introrse. Styles united;
stiijm'is 3, somatimes united. Fruit a 3-valved loculicidal capsule, or sometimes a Iterry ;
seeds few or many ; embryo in fleshy albumen.

A very large order, the different genera of which present a great variety of appearance.
Besides the few we have mentioned below many are well known in cultivation, and aro
among the most brilliant ornaments of the garden, as the Hyacinth, Lily, Crown Imperial,
Tulip, &c. The medicines Squill and Aloes are produced by plants of this order, as is the
New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax, Forst.), so valuable for the strength of its fibres.
Fruit a berry. Herbs from root-stocks, no bulbs. Stem branch-
ing. Leaves fine and thread-shaped. 1. ASPARAGUS.
Fruit a 3-celled pod, splitting into 3 valves when ripe. Seeds
black.

* Roots fascicled, not bulbous.
Perianth united into'a tube below ; funnel-form. 2. HEMEROCALLIS.

** Scape simple from a coated bulb.

Flowers cor\;mbed, white ; style 3-sided. 3. ORIXTHOGALUM.

Flowers racemed, blue or purple ; style thread-like. 4. SCILLA.

Flowers in an umbel, from a scaly bract or involucre. 5. ALLIUM.

Fruit a 3-celled many-seeded pod. Seeds pale. Perianth of 6

petal -like distinct divisions.
Anthers fixed by their middle, swinging free ; stems from a scaly

bulb, leafy to the top. 6. LIUUM.

1. ASPAR'AGUS, L. ASPARAGUS.

[The ancient Greek name.]

Perianth of 6 nearly equal linear-oblong divisions, slightly connected at
base, spreading at apex. Stamens 6, — the lower half of the filaments
adnate to the base of the sepals ; anthers peltate. Style short ; stigmas
3. Berry globose, 3-celled ; cells 2-seeded. Perennials with much-
branched stems from thick and matted root-stocks, very narrow leaves in
clusters, and small, greenish-yellow flowers. •

352 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. A. OFFICINA'LIS, L. Unarmed ; stem herbaceous, erect, paniculately
branched ; leaves fasciculate, setaceous and flexible.
OFFICINAL ASPARAGUS. Asparagus, or (corruptly) " Sparrow Grass."
Fr. Asperge. Germ. Der Spargel. Span. Esparrago.

Root perennial, consisting of numerous coarse fleshy fasciculate fibres. Plant smooth,
3-6 feet high, — the turimis, or young stems, at first simple, stout and fleshy, with leaves
in the form of appressed scales — finally the stem is ramified into a large panicle. Leaves
unequal, one-third of an inch to an inch or more in length, very narrow, linear, flat, ab-
ruptly acute, in fascicles of 3-10 or 12 (often 6), with a minute ovate acuminate scarious
stipule at the base of each fascicle. Peduncles in pairs (sometimes solitary), lateral (not
axillary) at the base of the alternate branches, about half an inch long, slender, the
upper half (above the thickened ring, or articulation) slightly clavate. Calyx pale green-
ish-yellow. Berries globose, slightly umbilicate, red when mature.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May -July. Fr. September.

06s. Almost every garden has a bed of Asparagus roots, for the sake
of the young Turions — which afford a favorite vegetable dish in early
spring. The plant has in some cases escaped from gardens and become
naturalized, especially near the coast.

2. HEMEEOCAL'LIS, L. DAY LILY.

[Greek, Hemera, a day, and Kallos, beauty ; the flower lasting but a day.]

Perianth funnel form, — the short tube enclosing the ovary. — the 6-parted
border spreading and lily-like, withering at the close of the day. Stamens
6, inserted at the throat ; filaments arid style long and thread-like, de-
clined and ascending. Capsule 3-angled, rather fleshy, 3-valved ; seeds
several, subglobose, black. Smooth, showy perennials with fleshy-fibrous
roots and long linear-keeled leaves, 2-ranked at the base of the tall scapes
which bear at the summit several large showy bracted/owm.
1. H. ful'va, L. Perianth copper-colored or orange-tawny, the inner
lobes obtuse and wavy on the margin.
TAWNY HEMEROCALLIS. Day Lily.

Leaves about 2 feet long and an inch wide, acute. Scape 3-4 feet high, cor ymbosely
branched at summit, the branches bracteate at base. Perianth about 4 inches long, —
the tube contracted, about an inch in length.

Gardens and about houses. Native of China. July.

Obs. This has strayed from gardens, where it is often cultivated and
is naturalized in many places. It is very difficult to eradicate when
once established. The H. FLAVA, L., a yellow-flowered species of smaller
growth, is often seen in gardens.

3. ORNITHOG'ALUM, Tournef. STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

[Greek, Ornis, omilhos, a bird, and gala, milk ; an ancient whimsical name.]

Perianth white, (or partly colored,) corolla-like, of 6 sepals slightly con-
nected at base, spreading above the middle, 3 - *f -nerved. Stamens 6, the
filaments dilated at base, narrowed and subulate at apex. Style 3-sided ;

LILY FAMILY. 353

stigma 3-angled. Capsule membranaceous, roundish, obtusely trigonous,
3-celled. Seeds few in a cell, subglobose or angular ; testa black, rugose.
Scape and linear-channelled leaves from a coated bulb. Flowers corym-
bose, or racemose, bracted.

1. 0. umbella'tum, L. Eacemes corymbose ; peduncles longer than the
bracts ; perianth lobes white within, green outside, with white margins.

UMBELLATE ORNITHOGALUM. Ten o'clock. Star of Bethlehem.

Fr. Dame d'onze heures. Germ. Die Yogelmilch. Span. Ornitogalo.

Bulbs biennial? small, white. Leaves radical, numerous, 6-12 inches long, very
smooth, green with a whitish longitudinal line. Scapes 6-9 inches high, terete, smooth,
corymbosely branched at summit, — the branches or peduncles alternate, 1-2 inches long,
each with a membranaceous linear-lanceolate acuminate bract at base. Sepals white
within, externally green with a white margin. Ovary somewhat trigonous-turbiuate, often
abortive.

Pastures and cultivated fields : introduced. Native of the old world. Fl. May - June.
Fr. July.

Obs. This foreigner has escaped from the gardens, in many places, —
and multiplies its bulbs so rapidly as to become a great nuisance, if
neglected. The bulbs are exceedingly tenacious of life ; and when once
completely in possession of the soil, it is an almost hopeless task to at-
tempt to extirpate them. The leaves generally die, however, in the early
part of summer, — and, in good land, are replaced by the valuable
grasses ; so that this obnoxious little intruder is not quite so serious a
pest as some others ; — such, for example, as the Canada Thistle, or Ox-
eye Daisy.

4. SCIL'LA, L. SQUILL.

[The ancient name.]

Perianth of 6 colored (blue or purple) spreading divisions, mostly decidu-
ous, with 6 awl-shaped filaments at their base. Style thread-like. Pod
3-angled, 3-valved, with several black, roundish seeds in each cell. —
Scape and linear-leaves from a coated bulb ; the usually bracted flowers
in a simple raceme.

1. S. Fra'seri, Gray. Leaves long, linear, keeled ; bracts solitary, lon-
ger than the pedicels ; stigma minutely 3-cleft.

FRASER'S SCILLA. Eastern Quamash. Wild Hyacinth.

Bulb onion -like. Scope about a foot high, bearing a long raceme of pale blue flowers.
Sepals widely spreading, half an inch long, 3-nerved.
Prairies and banks of rivers : Ohio and westward.

Obs. This is the celebrated Quamash, or Camass, which serves as
food^for some of the Indian tribes of the far west ; the bulb is roasted,
and is said to be sweet-tasted and agreeable.

354

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

244

5. AL'LIUM, L. GARLIC. ONIOX.

[The ancient Latin name of Garlic.]

Perianth of 6 entirely colored sepals, distinct or united at the base, 1-
nerved, becoming dry, more or less persistent. Filaments subulate-fili-
form, more or less dilated below, — the inner or alternate ones often mem-
branaceously dilated, trifid or with a slender cusp or tooth at summit, on
each side. Style filiform ; stigma simple or sometimes trifid. Capsule
mcmbranaceous, trigonous, or somewhat 3-lobed. Seeds few, roundish
and angular ; testa black, rugose or minutely granular-dotted. Herbs

FIG. 244. The Ten O'clock, or Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatura).

LILY FAMILY. 355

of a strong odor, with tunicated (biennial ?) bulbs. Scapes naked, or
with sheathing-Ieaves below, solid or fistular. Leaves mostly narrow,
channelled, semi-cyliudric, or terete, often hollow, sometimes flat. Umbel
terminal, embraced by a membranaceous 1 - 2-valved marcescent spathe-
like involucre. Flowers sometimes changed into bulblets.

* Umbel often densely bulb bearing, with or without flowers.
f Leaves flat.

1. A. SATI'VUM, L. Scape terete, leafy to the middle; leaves lance-
linear, somewhat channelled ; spathe 1-valved, with a long acumination,
caducous.

CULTIVATED ALLIUM. Garden or English Garlic.

Fr. L'Ail. Germ. Der Lauch. Knoblauch. Span. Ajo.

Growing in bunches. Radical bulbs compound, consisting of small bulbous offsets,
called doves. Scape 1-2 feet high, smooth — the lower half apparently leafy, by the ex-
tension of the sheaths. Lea ves 9-15 inches long, distichously arranged. Heads or um-
bels bearing numerous small ovoid-oblong bulbs, each bulb with a membranous cover
ing. Calyx pale purple.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. Cultivated as an article of medicine and used by some to season
food, for which purpose it is extensively used in the Spanish American
parts of our continent.

f f Leaves terete and hollow.

2. A. vinea'le, L. Scape terete, slender, sparingly leafy to the mid-
dle ; leaves terete, with a narrow channel on the upper side ; spathe ab-
ruptly acuminate.

YINE (or VINEYARD) ALLIUM. Garlic. Field Garlic. Crow Garlic.
Fr. • Ail des Yignes. Germ. Acker-Lauch. Wein-bergs-Lauch.

Bulbs small. Scape 2-3 feet high, very slender, with a few leaves below the middle*
leases 8 -12 or 15 inches long. Umbel globose, about an inch in diameter (smaller and
densely capitate when bearing bulbs— the bulbs often vegetating while in the heads) •
pedicels of the flowers filiform, clavate. Calyx deep purple, tinged with green.

Pastures and cultivated grounds : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. Aug.

Obs. Tradition says, this species was introduced by the first Welsh
immigrants to Pennsylvania, for the purpose of supplying an early pas-
ture. It is now completely naturalized, and was formerly so abundant
in some districts, as to be quite a nuisance. It not only imparted a dis-
gusting flavor to milk, butter, &c., but, by its abundance among the
wheat, seriously injured the flour, — and rendered the manufacture of it
difficult. Our best farmers, however, have now nearly subdued it, by the
improvement of their land, and a judicious rotation of crops. A native
species, the Meadow Garlic (A, Canaden'se, Kalm.), is frequent in moist
meadows ; it has flat leaves borne at the base of the scape.

3. A. CE'PA, L. Scape leafy at base only, fistular, and vcntricose below

356 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

the middle, much longer than the leaves ; leaves subterete, fistular,

somewhat ventricose ; umbel globose, usually capsule-bearing ; spathe

1- or finally 2-valved, with a short acumiuation.

Onion. Garden Onion.

Fr. Oignon. Germ. Die Zwiebel. Span. Cebolla.

Bulb depressed or turnip-shaped, large (2-3 inches in horizontal diameter). Scape 2-3
feet high, terete, often an inch or more in diameter in the most ventricose portion, smooth,
glaucous. Leaves 6 inches to a foot or more in length. Umbel 2-3 inches in diameter — tho
pedicels filiform. Spathe greenish-white. Sepals lance-oblong, white with a green keel.
Outer stamens about as long as the calyx, spreading — the inner ones nearly twice as long,
erect ; filaments white, the 3 inner ones much dilated at base, obscurely toothed.

Gardens and fields : cultivated. Native country unknown. Fl. July. Fr. September.

06s. This species — universally known and cultivated, as a culinary
vegetable — is by far the most valuable of the genus. The culture is car-
ried to a great extent in some favorable localities, — as at Wethersfield,
Connecticut. There is a variety with bulb-bearing umbels, or heads,
sometimes to be seen in gardens. The expressed juice of the Onion is a
popular remedy for the croup, in children. Its stimulating quality is
thus playfully alluded to, by SHAKSPEARE, in the Taming of the Shrew :

" And if the boy have not a woman's gift,
To rain a shower of commanded tears,
An Onion will do well for such a shift ;
Which in a napkin being close conveyed,
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye."

* * Umbel bearing only flowers and capsules.
f Leaves flat.

4. A. POR'RUM, L. Scape rising from the centre of a simple bulb, terete,
leafy to the middle ; leaves broad, somewhat channelled or folded, and
keeled, acute ; umbel globose ; sepals with a rough keel ; stamens a lit-
tle exserted.

LEEK ALLIUM. Leek. Garden Leek.
Fr. Porreau. Germ. Gemeiner Lauch. Span. Puerro.

Bulb middle-sized. Scape 2-3 feet high, stout and solid. Leaves distichously arranged
on the lower half of the scape, 6-12 inches long, and about an inch wide at base, with the
margin sometimes ciliate. Spathe with a long ac animation. Umbel globose, dense, rather
large (2 inches or more in diameter) ; pedicels of the flowers clavate. Calyx pale violet-
purple. Filaments white.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. This species — which is regarded as a sort of national emblem
by the Welsh, is thus noticed by the poet, GAY :

" Leek to tJie Welsh, to Dutchmen butter 's dear,
Of Irinh swains potato is the cheer ;
Oats for their feasts the Scottish shepherds grind."

Cultivated for use in soups.

f f Leaves terete, hollow.

LILY FAMILY. 357

5. A. SCHOBNOPRA'SUM, L. Scape naked or few-leaved at base, about as
long as the subulate-filiform leaves ; spathe 2-valved, about equal to
the umbel.

RUSH-LEEK ALLIUM. Chives, or Gives.

Fr. Ciboulette. Germ. Der Schnittlauch. Span. Cebollino.

Growing in bunches. Bulbs small. Scape 6-9 inches high, smooth. Leaves erect,
about as long as the scape. Umfxl about an inch in diameter. Spafhe of 2 ovate mem-
branaceous nerved purplish valves. Calyx purple with a tinge of violet.

Gardens : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. September.

Obs. Cultivated as a culinary herb ; and often used as a kind of me-
dicinal food for young poultry. Two or three other species of thissgenus
are cultivated in Europe ; namely, A. Scorodoprasum, L., or Rocambole
— A. Scalonicum, L., or Schallott, &c. But I believe they are not much
attended to, in this country. We have, also, a few native species ;
but they are scarcely of sufficient importance to require the notice of
the Agriculturist.

6. LLL/IUM, L. LILY.

[The classical Latin name.]

Perianth bell-shaped or funnel-form, of 6 distinct petal-like sepals, either
clawed or sessile, often recurved or revolute, with a central groove in-
side near the base, deciduous. Anthers linear, versatile. Style longer
tkan the stamens, somewhat clavate ; stigma 3-lobed. Capsule oblong,
3-angled, with the angles grooved ; seeds flat, margined, in 2 rows in
each cell. Bulbs scaly ; stems simple, leafy ; leaves sessile, alternate, or
whorled ; flowers very large.

1. L. Canaden'se, L. Leaves generally and remotely whorled, lanceo-
late, nerves and margins roughish-pubesceut ; flowers nodding, — the
lobes sessile, recurved.

CANADIAN LILIUM. Wild Yellow Lily.

Stem 2-3 feet high. Leaves 2-3 inches long, in rather distant whorls of 4 - 6. Flowers
3-7 or 10 (rarely solitary), all nodding, on peduncles 3 - 6 inches in length. Perianth
yellow (sometimes reddish-orange), with numerous dark purple spots inside ; lobes 2-3
inches long, recurved from near the middle.

Common in meadows. June- July.

Obs. This, which is so very abundant and showy, is introduced as a
representative of several native and cultivated species. Besides this, we
have several other wild sorts, which will be found described in the flo-
ras ; the most conspicuous of them being the Turk's-cap Lily (L, Super-
bum, L.), which has sometimes as many as 20-40 flowers ; it is said
to improve much by culture. The beautiful White Lily (L. ALBUM:,) is
well known from being frequently cultivated in gardens, as is the Tiger
Lily (L. BULBIFERUM)- — which produces little blackish bulblets in the
axils of the leaves. The newly introduced Japan Lilies (L. LANCIFOLIUM.

358 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

and others), are perfectly hardy, and so beautiful that they should have
a place in the smallest flower garden.

ORDER LXXVIII. JUNCA'CE^. (Eusn FAMILY.)

Herbs with jointed stems, grass-like or terete leaves and regular mostly perfect flowers.
Perianth of 6 similar, dry and glumaceous, persistent sepals. Stamens 6 (rarely 3) ; an-
thers iutrorse. Ovary free, forming in fruit a 1-3-celled 3-valved many-seeded capsule.
Style single. Seeds erect ; embryo enclosed at the base of hard albumen.
An Order possessing but little beauty or value.

1. JUN'CUS, L. RUSH.

[Latin, Jungere, to join ; being used to tie or bind objects together.]

Sepals 6, glumaceous. Stamens mostly 6, inserted on the base of the
sepals, — sometimes those on the 3 inner sepals abortive. Stigmas 3,
subsessile, filiform, villous. Capsule 3-celled, or somewhat 1-celled by
the incompleteness of the dissepiments, 3-valved,— the valves bearing
the dissepiments in the middle. Seeds numerous. Chiefly perennials with
mostly simple and scape-like pithy stems and cymose, paniculate or clus-
tered small greenish or brownish flowers.

L J, effu'sus, L. Stem naked, often sterile, furnished with short leaf-
less sheaths at base, filled with spongy pith ; panicle produced from the
side of the scape above the middle, diffusely much branched.
EFFUSED JUNCUS. Common Rush. Soft Rush.

Root perennial, forming tussocks. Culms 2-3 feet high, simple, soft and pliable, sheathed
at base, and terminating at summit in a long tapering point. Inflorescence cymosc-panic-
ulate, bursting from a fissure in the side of the culm near the summit, often proliferous,
bracteate ; bracts oblong-lanceolate, scarious. Stamens 3, shorter than the sepals, oppo-
site the 3 outer ones ; anthers white. Capsule trigonous-obovoid, obtuse. /Seeds minute,
oblong, acute at each end, yellowish.

Moist meadows and low grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. June. Fr. July-
August.

Obs. The genus is a numerous one, — comprising about 100 known
species — of which some 18 or 20 are natives of the U. States. They
are all homely plants, and entirely worthless to the farmer ; but the one
here given is the most troublesome, — continually forming numerous un-
sightly bunches or tussocks, in wet low grounds — and requiring some
attention to keep it in proper subjection. Mr. ELLIOTT says that in
S. Carolina, this Rush " occupies and almost covers rice-fields as soon
as they are thrown out of cultivation."

The " Black Grass " so common in salt marshes along the coast is
J, bulbosus, L., and the little species so common along footpaths, seem-
ing to flourish best where it is most trodden on, is J, bufonius, L.

ORDER LXXIX. CYPERA'CE^E. (SEDGE FAMILY.)

Rush-like or grass-like Jierbs, with fibrous roots and solid stems (culms), and closed
sheaths. Flowers usually one in the axil of each of the glume-like bracts which form an
imbricated cluster or spikelet. Perianth none, or consisting of scales or bristles. Stamens

SEDGE FAMILY. 359

mostly 3. Ovary 1-celled, with a single erect ovule, becoming in fruit an dkene, which is
lenticular when the style is 2-cleft, and triangular when it is2-cleft. Embryo minute at
the base of farinaceous albumen.

An Order of some 50 genera, remarkable for their worthlessness ; and also for their
presence, or prevalence, at least, being an indication of swampy, neglected, or valueless
land. The herbage of this Order, unlike that of a large number of the Gramiueae, or
true Grasses, contains but little saccharine matter ; and therefore is neither nutritious nor
palatable to stock.

An example is given of three of the genera, selecting such as are likely to attract the no-
tice of the farmer. They are favorite plants with the Botanist, and those who have a
curiosity to know more of them will find them described in the Floras.
Flowers perfect, 2-ranked : spikes few -many-flowered.

Perianth none. 1. CYPERUS.

Flowers perfect, scales imbricated in several ranks.
Perianth of 3 - 6 bristles. Achenium pointed with the continuous base

of the style. 2. SCIRPUS.

Flowers monoecious in the same or separate spikes (sometimes dioeci-
ous). Achenium enclosed in a sac, lenticular or triangular. 3. CAREX.

1. CYPE'KUS, L. GALINGALE.

[An ancient Greek name,— of uncertain etymology.]

Spikelets many-flowered, or rarely few-flowered. Scales distichously im-
bricated,— the lowest ones empty and sometimes smaller. Perianth none
of any kind. Stamens 2 or 3. Styles 3 (rarely 2,) united below into one,
deciduous. Akene crustaceous, triquetrous or compressed. Perennial
herbs. Culms simple, often triquetrous, leafy and sheathed at base. Leaves
grass-like. Spikelets in loose spikes, involucrate fascicles, or umbels ; pe-
duncles unequal, sheathed at base.

1. C, strigo'sus, L. Spikes compressed, linear awl-shaped, crowded
at the summit of the rays of a large open umbel ; sheaths of the pedun-
cles 2-bristled ; style trifid ; stamens 3 ; achenium linear-oblong.
STRIGOSE CYPERUS. Bristle-spiked Galingale.

Culm 1-2 or 3 feet high, triquetrous, smooth, leafy below and tuberous at base. Leaves
rather broad, acute, keeled, nearly as long as the culm, somewhat scabrous on the mar-
gin. Umbel 3 -6 or 9-rayed, rather spreading ; rays unequal, 1 or 2 -4 or 5 inches long,
triquetrous, sheathed at base, the central ones suppressed (i. e. the central spikes sessile).
Spikes yellowish, about three-fourths of an inch long, — the scales somewhat loosely imbri-
cated, striate, with a green keel and yellowish sides. Styles long, 3 united in one, distinct
at summit. Akene triquetrous, oblong, acute, roughish-dotted.

Wet meadows and low grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. August. Ft: Sep-
tember.

Obs. This species is inserted — not as being a particularly troublesome
weed, but — as one of the most conspicuous of the genus, in the swampy
meadows of the middle and northern States. The two which follow
belong rather to the Southern States, — and are there regarded as real
scourges by the Planters.

2. C. phymato'des, Muhl. Boot creeping, tuberiferous at the ex-
tremities ; umbel mostly simple, 4-6-rayed ; involucre about 3-leaved,
much longer than the rays ; spikes linear, obtuse, sub-compressed, ap-
proximated, somewhat spreading, each 12 - 20-flowered.

" Nut Grass," of Florida.

360 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Rod (or rhizoma) creeping extensively, and sending up numerous suckers ,— the fibrous
branches often terminating in tubers the size of a pea. Culm 1 to near 2 fee,t high, trique-
trous, very smooth. Leaves 9-18 inches long, and 2-3 lines wide, keeled, smooth or
slightly scabrous on the margin, yellowish green. Umbel rather erect, — the rays 1 - 2 or
3 inches long. Involucre usually 3-4-leaved. Spikes half an inch to three-quarters in
length, a little compressed, obtuse when mature, somewhat distichously arranged on the
common rachis, — the lowest ones often in pairs or fasciculate ; scales oblong, rather acute,
nerved, pale tawny. Styles 3, united in one, distinct at summit. Akene triquetrous, ob-
long, minutely punctate.

Banks of streams, pastures, and cultivated grounds : New England, west and south.

Obs. This species is, fortunately, rather rare, in the Northern and Mid-
dle States ; but it is said to be a troublesome plant, in the South.

3, C, rotun'dus, L., var. Hy'dra, Gray. Ehizoma creeping, tuber-
iferous ; umbel mostly simple, 3 - 4-rayed ; involucre 2 - 3-leaved, about
as long as the rays ; spikes distichous ; spikelets 4 - 9 on each ray, lance-
linear, acute, much compressed, 10 - 40-flowered, dark chestnut-purple.
HYDRA CYPERUS. " Nut-grass," of S. Carolina. " Coco-grass." ?

Rhizoma, creeping, — its branches ending in tubers nearly half an inch in diameter
Culm 3-8 and 12 inches high, triangular, smooth, naked. Leaves all radical, shorter than
the culm, about 2 lines wide, acute, slightly channelled, often recurved, somewhat glau-
cous. Involucre sometimes shorter than the umbel. Rays of the umbel 2-3 inches long,
erect or slightly spreading. Spikes nearly an inch long, alternate and distichous along the
upper part of the rays, — the scales closely imbricated, bright chestnut-color with a green
keel, not nerved, slightly mucronate. Styles 3, united below, distinct at summit. Akene
triquetrous.

Sandy fields, sand drifts, along the Sea-coast : Virginia to Florida, and Arkansas. PL
All summer.

06s. This is stated to be one of the greatest pests of the Southern
Planters. It seems to be an inhabitant of all the 4 quarters of the globe.
Mr. ELLIOTT gives the following account of it : — " This grass (?) is be-
coming a great scourge to our planters. It shoots from the base of its
stem a thread-like fibre, which descends perpendicularly 6 to 18 inches,
and then produces a small tuber. From this, horizontal fibres extend in
every direction, producing new tubers at intervals of 6 or 8 inches, and
these immediately shoot up stems to the surface of the earth, and throw
out lateral fibres to form a new progeny. This process is interminable, —
and it is curious to see what a chain or net-work of plants and tubers can,
with some care, be dug up in a loose soil. The only process, yet discov-
ered, by which this grass can be extirpated, is to plough or hoe the
spots in which it grows every day through the whole season. In their
perpetual efforts to throw their leaves to the light, the roots become ex-
hausted and perish, — or if a few appear the next spring, they can easily
be dug up." J. S. SKINNER, Esq., in a letter written during an excursion
to the South, in the spring of 1846, sent to me an imperfect specimen of
a Cyperaceous plant, which I suspect to be this species ; and says of
it, — " I send you inclosed a spear or shoot of the vilest of all pests, the
Coco-grass, — which has taken possession of, and caused to be abandoned,
some of the best Sugar estates in Louisiana. Of all things it is said to
be the most tenacious of life ; and nothing serves so well to propagate
it, as to plough and replough, with a view to destroy it."

SEDGE FAMILY. 361

There are numerous other species of Cyperus, in the U. States ; but
the foregoing are the most important for the Agriculturist to be ac-
quainted with. The Papyrus — which the ancients used, for writing
upon, prior to the manufacture of paper from rags — was obtained from
a species of this genus, viz : C. Papyrus, L.

2. SCIR'PUS, L. BULKUSH.

[An anciout Latin name for the Bui-rush, — which belongs to the genus.]

Spikelets many-flowered. Scales imbricated on all sides. Perianth of
3-6 capillary bristles. ' Styles 2 - 3-cleft. Akene crustaceous, either
somewhat compressed, or trigonous — according to the condition or num-
ber of the styles or stigmas. Culms mostly simple, triangular or terete,
often with leafless sheaths. Spikes either solitary, conglomerate or co-
rymbose, terminal or lateral.

1. S. pun 'gens, Vahl. Culm triquetrous, nearly leafless ; spikes ovoid-
oblong (1-5), in a dense cluster long overtopped by the pointed invo-
lucral leaf; scales orbicular-ovate, emarginate, mucronate ; bristles 2-6,
slender, shorter than the akene ; styles 2, united below, free at summit ;
akene subcompressed, obscurely trigonous, abruptly acuminate.
SHARP-POINTED SCIKPUS. Chair-maker's Rush.

Root (or rhizoma) creeping. Culm 2-4 or 5 feet high, cuspidate at summit, acutely
triquetrous, naked and smooth, sheathed at base, — the sheaths often bearing a few short
triangular -carinate leaves. Spikes nearly sessile, in a dense lateral cluster, — i. e. at the
base of an erect tapering 1-leaved involucre, which is apparently a continuation of the
culm. Scales often emarginate, and mucronate with the projecting midrib, ferruginous on
the sides, the margins scarious and pubescent-ciliate. Bristles retrorsely scabrous, brittle.
Akene smooth, dark-brown.

Swampy meadows and muddy margins of rivers — salt and fresh : throughout the United
States. Fl. July. Ft: Sept.

Obs. This is the plant used in making the seats of " Rush-bottomed
Chairs," in the U. States. Some of the English Botanists say, the
terete culms of the S. lacustris, L., or common Bulrush, are used for
that purpose, — which I think must be a mistake ; as they are certainly
much inferior, in tenacity and pliability, to those of this species, — and
the chair-makers would be apt to discover the fact. Numerous species
of this genus occur in our wet low grounds ; but, although of no value
in Agriculture, they scarcely require notice, here, — inasmuch as they
are neither very troublesome, nor difficult to get rid of, by draining, and
other appropriate management of the grounds.

3. CA'REX, L. SEDGE.

[A classical name, — of obscure etymology.]

Staminate and pistillate flowers either in distinct spikes on the same plant
(monoecious) or in different portions of the same spike, (androgynous),
rarely on distinct plants (dioecious). Scales 1-flowered, imbricated on
all sides. Stamens mostly 3. Ovary included in a membranous (often
16

302 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

beaked and inflated) sac or perigynium. Akene lenticular or triquetrous
(according as the stigmas are 2 or 3), more or less beaked with the base
of the style. Perennial herbs with usually caespitose culms which are tri-
angular, often nodose and leafy. Spikes terminal and axillary, mostly
bracted at base.

Obs. The three species here described, are inserted merely as samples
of a very extensive genus of unprofitable plants, — of which every intelli-
gent farmer would like to know something. Those who may desire to
become better acquainted with the family, will find the species well de-
scribed, in various Monographs and Floras.

* SPIKES ALL ANDROGYNOUS.

f Spikes clustered, staminate at their summit. Stigmas 2.

1. C. vulpinoi'dea, Muhl. Spike oblong, decompound, interrupted,
bracteate, — of 8-10 crowded clusters; fruit compressed, ovate, acumi-
nate, 3-nerved, scabrous on the margin, finally diverging, rather shorter
than the ovate cuspidate scale.

YULPINA-LIKE CAREX. Sedge. Sedge-grass.

Culm about 2 feet high, obtusely triangular and leafy at base, acutely triquetrous above.
Leaves lance-linear, channelled above, scabrous on the margin, — the upper ones over-
topping the culm ; sheaths transversely rugose on the side opposite the leaves. Spike 2-3
inches long, formed of numerous spikelets which are crowded into clusters a little sepa-
rated from each other, and either appressed to the rachis or diverging. Bracts at the base
of the compound spike, and also of the principal clusters, often long and foliaceous, —
those at the base of the spikelets, short, setaceous and scabrous. Staminate glumes lan-
ceolate, with a short point. Pistillate glumes ovate, with a long serrulate point. Fruit
3-nerved, bifid at apex, rather small, densely crowded, finally much diverging, and yel-
lowish.

Swamps and low grounds : Northern and Middle States. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. This, like all the other species of this very numerous genus
(amounting to some 300 or more), is a very worthless plant ; and is often
quite abundant in wet meadows. The form of the akenes, in Carex —
like those of Polygonum, already noticed— has a constant relation to
the number of styles or stigmas. When the stigmas (or stigmatose
branches) are 2, the akene is compressed, and ancipital or 2-edged ; but
when there are 3 stigmas, the akene is uniformly triquetrous. A similar
relation, between the form of the akene or nut, and the number of the
styles or stigmas, appears to exist in numerous other instances, — as in
Eumex, Rheum, Scirpus, Cyperus, Fagus, Morus, Alnus, Betula, &c.,
&c., and the law may, perhaps, be general.

** STAMINATE AND PISTILLATE SPIKES, DISTINCT.
f Staminate spike solitary : pistillate subsessile. Stigmas 3.

2. C. tentacula'ta, Muhl. Staminate spike bracteate, on a short pe-
duncle ; pistillate spikes about 3, cylindric-oblong, approximate, hori-
zontal, the uppermost sessile, the lower on short exserted stalks ; bracts

SEDGE FAMILY. 368

•

long, foliaceous ; fruit densely crowded, ovoid, ventricose, nerved, long-
beaked, about twice as long as the lance-linear awned scale ; the beak
with short, minutely serrulate teeth.

TENTACULATE OR MANY-BEAKED CAREX.

Whole plant yellowish-green. Culm 12-18 inches high, triquetrous, scabrous on the
angles above, leafy. Leaves linear-lanceolate, nerved, scabrous on the margin, longer
than the culm. *&taminate spike about an inch long, with a narrow lance-linear bract at
base longer than the spike ; glumes lance-linear, terminated by a long scabrous awn. Pis-
tillate spikes commonly 2-3 (often but 1 — rarely 4), about an inch or an inch and a half
long,— the upper ones approximate, sessile— the lowest one a little distant on a short
scarcely exserted peduncle ; glumes terminated by a long setaceous scabrous awn. Bracts
resembling the leaves, very long. Fruit ovoid, inflated, spreading, smooth and shining, at-
tenuated into a long straight slender beak. Akene triquetrous, roughish puncticulate.

Swampy low grounds. Fl. May -June. Fr. August.

Obs. This is a very common species, in the swampy meadows of Penn-
sylvania,—and probably throughout the greater portion of the United
States.

ff Staminate spikes mostly 2 or more. Stigmas 2.

3. C. stric'ta, Lam. Staminate spikes 1- 3 ; pistillate spikes usually
2 or 3, rather distant, cylindric, subsessile, often Staminate at summit ;
fruit compressed, ovate, with a very short beak and the orifice entire,
about as long as the oblong-lanceolate awnless scale.

UPRIGHT CAREX. Tussock-sedge.

Culms 1-2 feet high, very slender and acutely triquetrous, striate, minutely serrulate
on the angles, leafy at base, — usually growing in large dense tufts, or tussocks. Leaves
narrow, linear, keeled, scabrous on the margin, often longer than the culm, — the radical
ones very numerous and loosely spreading, forming a large tuft of a lively bluish-green.
Staminate spikes 2-3 (often solitary), erect, sessile except the uppermost one ; glumes
oblong, mostly obtuse. Pistillate spikes 3 (or often but 2), 1 -2 inches long, rather slen-
der,— the lowest one on a very short peduncle — the upper one sessile, and often Staminate
at summit (androgynous) ; glumes brown, with a green keel. Fruit ovate, elliptic, or
obovate, smooth. Akenes obovate, mucronate, puncticulate.

Swamps : throughout the United States. Fl. April. Fr. June.

Obs. It is the most common, and most troublesome, of all the species.
It is true, that a pedestrian, in crossing neglected boggy meadows, finds
its dense tufts quite a convenience, to step on, — yet it is decidedly more
farmer-like to provide good walking, in such places, by ditching and
draining. The tussocks, formed by the matted fibrous roots, of this
species of Carex, are often very large, and very durable. I once hauled
a quantity of them into the barn-yard, with a hope that they might de-
compose, and make manure ; but they effectually resisted decomposition,
and were tossed about the yard for years, — as large, and almost as inde-
structible, as so many hatters' blocks. The best way to dispose of
them, is to collect them — when cut out and dried — into a heap, and bum
them,- — taking care afterwards, by appropriate draining, to prevent the
growth of others.

364

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

FIG. 245. The Many-beaked Carex (Carex tentaculata) . 246. A fruit with its bract.
247. The akene removed from the perigynium.

GRASS FAMILY.

365

GRAMIN'E^E. (GRASS FAMILY.)

TRUE GRASSES, with mostly hollow stems (culms) which are cylindrical and jointed, closed
at the joints (nodes); leaves alternate, 2-ranked, parallel-nerved, the dilated petiole (sheath)
surrounding the culm and split open on the side opposite to the blade, and furnished at
the junction with the blade with a more or less manifest scarious appendage (ligule).
Flowers perfect, polygamous or monoecious (rarely dioecious), imbricated with 2-ranked
glumes or bracts, the outer pair (glumes'), subtending a spikelet of one or several flowers,
the inner pair (palece) enclosing each particular flower which is destitute of a proper
perianth. Stamens 1-6, usually 3; anthers versatile. Ovary 1 -celled, 1-ovuled, usually
with 2 - 3 scales (squamulce) at base. Styles mostly 2 or 2-parted ; stigmas plumose or
hairy. Fruit a seed -like grain (caryopsis) ; embryo small at the base and on the outside
of copious farinaceous albumen. Annuals or perennials, with fibrous roots, often caespitose.
Spikelets paniculate or spiked, upper (inner) palea 2-nerved or 2-keeled.

This vast Order — comprising some 230 genera, and perhaps not less than 3000 species —
is probably the most generally diffused, and the most important to man, of all the families
of plants. The seeds, and herbage, furnish a principal portion of the food of the human
race, and of the more valuable domestic animals. A great number of the Grasses, how-
ever, are little better than weeds, on a farm, — and some of them exceedingly annoying.
Those which the American Agriculturist is more immediately interested to know, are here
inserted.

1. THE POA SUB-FAMILY.

Spikelets 1 - many-flowered ; when more than one-flowered, the lowest developing first, the
uppermost if any, imperfect or abortive, the rest perfect, or occasionally monoecious or
dioecious — except in Nos. 16 and 23, where the lowest florets are staminate.
^ 1. Spikelets 1-flowered, in panicles, the flowers often monoecious. Glumes very small or
wanting. Inner palea 3-uerved. Stamens 1-6.
Flowers perfect.

Glumes wanting. Flowers flattened. Palese awnless. 1. LEERSIA.

Glumes 2, small, cuspidate. Stamens 6. 2. ORYZA.

Flowers monoecious.

Fertile flowers awned.

§ 2. Spikelets 1-flowered, perfect, sometimes with the abortive rudi-
ment or pedicel of a second flower above, panicled, the panicle
sometimes contracted into a dense spike or head. Stamens not
more than three.

Flowers in a dense cylindrical spike. Glumes equal, strongly
flattened, and with the paleae herbaceous.
Glumes united at base. Lower palea awned, the upper

wanting.
Glumes distinct at base. Palese 2, the lower truncate and

awnless.

Flowers mostly loosely panicled, not strictly spiked, usually
small. Glumes equal or unequal, membranaceous. Flower
raised on a more or less evident stalk (callus) in the glumes.
Flower naked or barely hairy at base.

Glumes equal or the lower one rather longer, pointless,

exceeding the very thin, blunt palese. Lower palea

pointless, commonly awned on the back ; the upper

sometimes wanting.

Lower glume mostly smaller. Palese often hairy at base,

the lower one mucronate or awned at the tip.
Flower hairy-tufted at base.

Lower palea mostly awned on the back, not bristle-

pointed, shorter than the glumes.

§3. Spikelets (rarely 1-flowered) usually 2 -several-flowered, with
one or more of the upper flowers imperfect, disposed in one-sided
racemose or digitate spikes. Glumes persistent, the upper one
looking outward. Rachis not jointed. Stamens 2 -3.
Spikelets with one perfect flower below and one or more neutral
ones above. Flower and rudiment awnless. Spikes slender,
digitate.

3. ZIZANIA.

4. ALOPECURUS.
6. PHLEUM.

7. MUHLENBERGIA.

8. CALAMAGROSTH.

9. CYNODON.

366 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Spikelets with more than one of the lower flowers perfect.
Spikes digitate at the summit of the culm, dense. Glumes
and palese both awnless and blunt. 10.

§ 4. Spikelets several- (few to many-) flowered, often with the upper-
most (rarely the lowest) floret imperfect or abortive,— usually
disposed in open panicles. Palese pointless or the lower one some-
times tipped with a straight awn or bristle. Stamens 1-3.
* Culms herbaceous. Lower flowers of the spikelets all perfect.
Grain free from the palese and smooth.

Glumes (rather long) and the lower palea awn-pointed,
herbaceous, compressed-keeled. Panicle contracted in
one-sided clusters. 11. DACTYLIS.

Lower palea awnless and pointless.

Lower palea rounded on the back, 5- 7-nerved, scarious
at the tip. Spikelets many-flowered, the rachis com-
monly breaking up into joints at maturity. 12. GLYCERIA.
Lower palea laterally compressed, mostly keeled, mem-
branaceous, 5-nerved, the margins or nerves below
often cobwebby-pubescent. Spikelets flattened. 13. POA.
Lower palea convex on the back, acute, sub-coriaceous,

3 -5-nerved, not cobwebby at base. 14. FESTUCA.

Grain adherent to the upper palea and hairy at the apex.

Lower palea convex or keeled on the back, mostly awned

below the 2-cleft tip, 5-9 nerved. 15. BROMUS.

** Culms herbaceous, often tall and reed-like. Lowest flower sterile.
Spikelets strongly silky-bearded on the rachis, loosely

flowered. 16. PHRAGNITES.

*** Culms woody, suffruticose or arborescent.

Spikelets flattened, loosely 5 - 14-flowered. 17. ARU.YDI.VARIA.

^ 5. Spikelets 1 -several-flowered, sessile on opposite sides of a zigzag
jointed rachis (which is toothed or excavated on one side of each
joint), forming a spike. Glumes sometimes abortive or wanting.
Otherwise as in § 4.
Spikelets single at each joint of the rachis ; several-flowered.

Glume 1, external. Spikelets placed edgewise on the rachis. 18. LOMUM.
Glumes 2, transverse (right and left) ; spikelets placed flat-
wise on the rachis.

Spikelets 3 -several-flowered. 19. TRITICUM.

Spikelets 2-flowered. 20. SECALE.

Spikelets 2-4 at each joint of the rachis.

Spikelets 1-flowered, 3 at each joint, the 2 lateral ones usually

sterile. 21. HORDEUM.

§ 6. Spikelets 2-several-flowered,panicled ; the rachis or base of the
flowers often villous-bearded. Glumes mostly equalling or exceed-
ing the flowers. Lower palea mostly bearing a twisted, bent or
straight awn on its back below its apex. Stamens 3.
Flowers all perfect, or the uppermost merely rudimentary.
Lower palea cleft at the apex into 2 acute teeth.
Awn proceeding from the mid-nerve only, below the apex,

mostly twisted or bent. Lower palea rounded on the back. 22. AVEXA.
One of the flowers staminate only.

Lower flower staminate ; the perfect one commonly awnless;

the uppermost a rudiment. Otherwise as in 22. 23. ARRHESATHERUM.

Lower flower perfect and awnless ; the upper staminate and
awned. Rudiment none. 24. HOLCUS.

2. THE PHALARIS SUB-TRIBE.

Spikelets more or less panicled, 3-flowered, the uppermost or middle
flower perfect ; those (apparently) on each side imperfect, staminate,
neutral or reduced to an inconspicuous rudiment.

Lateral flowers neutral, each of a single awned palea, the per-
fect flower awnless with 2 stamens. 25. ANTHOXANTHUM.
Lateral flowers reduced to a small rudiment on each side of the
coriaceous, shining, flattened fertile one 26. PHALARIS.

GRASS FAMILY. 367

3. THE PANICUM SUB-TRIBE.

Spikclets 2-flowered, but the lower floret always imperfect, either
staminate or neutral ; in the latter case reduced to a single empty
palea (placed next to the lower glume if that be present) ; the upper
(terminal) flower (placed next the upper glume) only fertile. Flow-
ers polygamous or monoecious, sometimes apparently simple and
1-flowered from the abortion of the lower glume and the upper palea
of the neutral flower. Rarely both glumes are absent.
^ 1. Palese of the fertile florets coriaceous or chartaceous, awnlcss,
not keeled, embracing the smooth grain, flattened parallel with the
herbaceous glumes.

Spikelets appearing as if 1-flowered from the suppression of the
lower glume ; the single empty palea of the neutral flower oc-
cupying its place. Spikelets jointed with their short pedicels. 27. PASPALUM.
Spikelets manifestly 1 )£ - 2-flowered (the lower floret neutral or
staminate) , the lower glume being present.
Spikelets not involucrate nor the peduncles bristle-bearing.
Lower glume small or minute. Sterile flower staminate
or neutral. 28. PANICUM.

Spikelets spiked-panicled, the peduncles continued beyond

the flower into a bristle. Otherwise as in 28. 29. SETARIA.

Spikelets enclosed, 1 - 5 together in a hard and spiny bur-
like involucre. 30. CBNCHBUS.
^2. Palese membranaceous or scarious, always of thinner and more
delicate texture than the (often indurated) glumes, — frequently
awned at the apex. Spikelets usually in pairs or threes, panicled
or spiked ; monoecious or polygamous.

Spikelets monoecious ; the pistillate ones imbedded in the rachis
of the continuous spike or in its separable joints. The stami-
nate spikelets above.

Pistillate spikelets imbedded in the joints of the spontane-
ously separable naked rachis. 31. TRIPSACCM.
Pistillate spikelets along the sides of a continuous rachis,
which is enclosed by the sheaths of abortive leaves or
husks. • 32. ZEA
Spikelets polygamous. Fertile spikelets with one perfect and one
sterile /staminate or mostly neutral) floret. Lower palea of the
perfect flower awned.

Spikelets in pairs at each joint of the rachis, one pedicellate the
other sessile.

The upper floret in each spikelet fertile. 33. SACCHARUM.

The sessile spikelet only fertile. 34. ANDROPOGOX.

Spikelets 2 -3 together, in loose open panicles, the lateral ones
sterile, or often mere rudiments. 36. SORGHUM.

368

WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS.

The abovo cuts represent in detail three different forms of the inflorescence of grasses. FIG.
248. A spikelet of a one-flowered grass, a The lower, and ft the upper glume, c The lower
palea. d The upper palea having two nerves, e The stamens and pistil, the latter with
two plumose stigmas, and two scales at its base. FIG. 249. Spikelet of a three-flowered
grass (Anthoxanthum) with one flower only fertile. The parts separated and placed in
their relative position below, a and b The lower and upper glumes, c and d The im-
perfect florets, each of a single awned palea. e Lower palea of the perfect flower.
/Upper palea of the same. 0 The two stamens, h The pistil. FIG. 249.' A spikelet of a
several-flowered grass, a and 6 Lower and upper glumes, c d and e Tho flowers placed
on alternate sides of a short stem or rachis. /A terminal abortive floret.

GRASS FAMILY.

1. LEER'SIA, Solander. FALSE RICE.

[Named in honor of John Daniel Leers; a German Botanist.]

Spikelets 1-flowered, perfect, disposed in one-sided racemose panicles, ar-
ticulated with the short pedicels. Glumes wanting. Pale® chartaceous,
compressed carinate, awnless, bristly-ciliate on the keels, nearly equal in
length, but the lower one much broader and boat-shaped, enclosing the
flat grain. Stamens 1-6. Stigmas plumose with branching hairs.
Perennial marsh grasses, with the culms, sheaths and flat leaves retrorsely
scabrous.

1. L. oryzoi'des, Swartz. Panicle diffusely branched; florets triau-

drous ; palea? conspicuously ciliate on the keel.

ORYZA OR RICE-LIKE LEERSIA. Cut-grass. False or wild Rice.

Root perennial, creeping. Culm 3-5 feet high, striate, scabrous with minute retrorse
prickles, the nodes pubescent. Leaves 6 -12 inches long, lance-linear, acuminate, keeled,
retrorsely and sharply scabrous, ciliate on the margin ; s/ieotfissuloate-striate, very rough
with retrorse prickles in the grooves ; ligule short, retuse. Pantile usually sheathed at
base, much branched ; branches flexuose, the lower ones in threes and fours. Spikelets
elliptic-oblong, pedicellate, greenish-white. Palece compressed, pectinate-ciliate on the
keel, the lower one boat-shaped, 3-nerved, the upper one a little longer, linear, 1-nerved.

Swamps, and along sluggish rivulets : throughout the United States. Fl. August. Fr.
Sept.

06s. This rough grass seems to be common to both hemispheres, —
and is often quite abundant in our swampy meadows, and along the mar-
gins of muddy streams. Although this grass is said to have some value
at the South, it is in the Northern States considered not only worthless,
but rather a nuisance. The farmer should therefore know it, and take
measures (by drainage, &c.) to expel it, or keep it in subjection.

2. ORY 'ZA, L. RICE.

[The Greek name of Rice, — coined from Eruz, its Arabic name.]

Spikelets 1-flowered, perfect. Glumes 2, small, awnless but cuspidate,
slightly concave. Pale® 2, compressed-carinate, nearly equal in
length, — the lower one broader, and often with a straight awn at apex.
Stamens 6. Ovary smooth ; stigmas plumose, — the hairs branched.
Caryopsis oblong, free, closely embraced by the persistent paleae.
1. 0. SATI'VA, L. Leaves lance-linear, elongated, rough; panicle race-
mose, eontracted ; branches slender, rough ; paleae oblong, scabrous,
awnless or often with a terminal awn.
CULTIVATED ORYZA. Rice. Common Rice.
Fr. Le Riz. Germ. Der Reiss. Span. Arroz.

Root animal. Calm 2-4 or 5 feet high, smooth, striate. Leaves 9-18 inches Ion?
br<>;i iish, rough on the upper surface, smooth beneath ; sheaths striate-nerved, smooth ;
ligule elongated (half an inch to three-quarters in length) , erect, tapering to a point,.
Panicle oblong, 4-8 or 9 inches in length, with the branches erect. (Ju'er palea nerved
or ribbed, hispidly scabrous, often awned, the inner one awnless.

Cultivated in the Southern States. Native of Asia ? Fl. Fr.

16*

370 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Obs. There are several varieties of cultivated Bice ; some, called Up-
land or Mountain Eice, usually awnless, — others, with the paleae com-
monly awned, or mucronate, cultivated in low grounds which can be
irrigated, or overflowed with water. The aquatic variety is one of the
staple crops of South Carolina. The importance of this plant, to the
inhabitants of the tropical regions, generally — but especially in Asia —
can scarcely be estimated by the residents of higher latitudes. It is be-
lieved that its seeds enter more largely into the nourishment of the hu-
man family than those of any other plant — not excepting even Wheat.

3. ZIZA'NIA, Gronov. INDIAN RICE.

[A Greek name of some plant now doubtful.]

Flowers monoecious ; the staminate and pistillate ones in the same pani-
cle, both 1-flowered. Glumes wanting, or in the pistillate spikelets ru-
dimentary and cup-shaped. Palece herbaceo-membranaceous, convex,
awnless in the stamiuate spikelets, but tipped with a straight awn in the
pistillate ones. Stamens 6. Stigmas pencil-form. Stout aquatic
grasses ; spikelets readily separating at maturity from the club-shaped
pedicels with which they are articulated.

1. Z. AQUAT'ICA, L. Panicle pyramidal, — the lower branches spreading,
bearing staminate flowers — the upper branches erect, bearing pistillate
flowers ; spikelets on clavate pedicels ; awns long ; caryopsis slender,
elongated.
AQUATIC ZIZANIA. Water Oats. Eeed. Indian Eice.

Root perennial. Culm 4 - 8 or 10 feet high, stout, fistular, terete, glabrous. Leaves 1-2
or 3 feet long, and an inch to an inch and a half wide, linear-lanceolate, keeled, smooth,
serrulate on the margin ; sheaths striate, smooth, the base, at the nodes, surrounded with
a ring of short silky appressed pubescence ; ligvle rather large, elongated, erect, lanceo-
late, finally lacerate-dentate, often purplish. Panicle 1-2 feet long, the branches verti-
cillate. Pistillate spilcdets about an inch long, needle-like, somewhat racemose on the
branches. PoZece scabrous, dark greenish-purple, the lower one closely embracing the
upper one, and terminating in a slender straight hispid awn as long as the spikelet.

Muddy margins of tide waters, swampy rivulets, &c. : throughout the United States.
Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. -Oct.

Obs. This fine stout Grass is well known, along the muddy shores of
our tide waters, as the favorite resort of the Reed-bird (Emberiza Oryzi-
vora, L.), in autumn. Mr. ELLIOTT supposed it might be a valuable
grass, in overflowed or marshy meadows, — as its leaves, he says, are eaten
with avidity by stock of all descriptions. I do not know that it has
been found of much importance, in that respect, in the northern or mid-
dle States. The grain is gathered by the North- Western Indians by
beating it off into their canoes as they sail among the reeds.

4. ALOPECU'RUS, L. FOXTAIL GRASS.

[Greek, Alopex, a fox, and Oura, a tail ; in allusion to the form of the spike.]

Spikelels 1-flowered. Glumes strongly compressed and keeled, awnless,
nearly equal, united at base. Lower palea equalling or shorter than the

GKASS FAMILY,

371

252

FIG. 250. The Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). 251. A spikelet (1-flowered)
252. The floret, consisting of a single awned palea, removed from the glumes.

372 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

glumes, awned on the back below the middle, upper palea wanting.

Styles commonly united ; stigmas long and plumose. Flowers in a dense,

soft, cylindrical terminal spike.

1. A. PRATEN'SIS, L. Culm erect, smooth ; palea equalling the acute

glumes ; awn exserted more than half its length, twisted.

MEADOW ALOPECURUS. Common or Meadow Foxtail.

Perennial. Culm about 2 feet high, smooth. Leaves smooth, flat, the upper one much
shorter than its inflated sheath. The spike-like panicle 1-2 inches long, yellowish green.
Glumes and palea hairy and ciliate.

Meadows ; New England and New York. Native of Europe. May.

Obs. This is considered a valuable pasture grass in England, produc-
ing a luxuriant aftermath. According to Mr. FLINT, (" Grasses and
Forage Plants," a work containing many useful statistics), it is not
valued by the Massachusetts farmers, as a field grass, on account of be-
ing so light in proportion to its bulk. Two other species are found in
the country, but they are of no value in agriculture. *

5. PHLE'UM, L. CATS-TAIL GRASS.

[An ancient Greek name ; meaning obscure.]

Palea 2, membranaceous, shorter than the mucronate or awned glumes;
the lower palea truncate, usually awnless. Styles distinct. Other char-
acters much as in Alopecurus. Culms somewhat wiry ; spikes dense
and harsh.

1. P. PRATEN'SE, L. Spike cylindric, elongated ; glumes truncate, mu-
cronately awned, — the awns shorter than the glumes ; keel ciliate.
MEADOW PHLEUM. Cats-tail Grass. Herds Grass of New England
and New- York. Timothy of Pennsylvania, &c.
Fr. Fleole des Pres. Germ. Das Wiesen-lieschgras.

Root perennial, fibrous. Culm 2-4 feet high, simple, terete, smooth, — when old rather
firm and wiry, and often somewhat bulbous at base. Leaves 6-12 or 15 inches long,
lance-linear, acute, flat, glaucous, somewhat scabrous ; sheaths striate, smooth ; ligule
membranaceous, obtuse, finally lacerate. Spike 3-6 or 8 inches long, green. Glumes
equal, compressed, abruptly mucronate, pubescent. Palece concealed in the glumes, the
lower one larger. Anthers purple. Stigmas white.

Fields and meadows : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This foreign Grass is extensively naturalized in the United States.
In New-York, and throughout New-England, it is known by the name
of Herds Grass, — a name which, in Pennsylvania — and I believe in all
the States South — is applied exclusively to AGROSTIS VULGARIS, L. The
Meadow Phleum, or Timothy, is very generally cultivated in Eastern
Pennsylvania ; and is undoubtedly one of the most valuable of the " arti-
ficial grasses," so called. Mixed in about equal proportions with rod
clover (TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE, L.) it makes the best quality of Hay. It
requires a good soil, — and is considered a rather severe and exhausting
cr0p ; — inasmuch as the aftermath, or second growth of radical leaves, is
somewhat scant and tardy during the dry weather which usually sue-

GRASS FAMILY. 373

ceeds harvest ; and thus the ground is left exposed to the injurious in-
fluence of the scorching sun. The clover, however, when present in suf-
ficient quantity, soon springs up and affords a shelter to the soil ; and,
when the land is good, the green grass (PoA PRATENSIS, L.), comes in,

spontaneously, as the clover disappears. The seed, of Timothy, is
usually sown in autumn, — among, and immediately after Wheat and
Eye ; though it answers very well, when sown early the ensuing spring.

6. AGROS'TIS, L. BENT-GRASS.

[Greek, Agros, a field ; its usual place of growth.]

Spikelets in an open panicle, 1 -flowered. Glumes nearly equal, often
longer than the paleae, pointless. Palece very thin, pointless, naked at
the base; the lower 3-5-nerved, sometimes awned on the back, the
upper often minute or wanting. Stamens usually 3. Mostly perennials
with slender caespitose culms.

1. A. VULGA'RIS, With. Culms slender, mostly erect; leaves lance-
linear ; panicle loose, ovoid-oblong in its outline, — usually purple ; pu-
leae awnless, — the lower one twice the size of the upper one ; ligule
truncate, very short.

COMMON AGROSTIS. Herd-grass (of Penn.) Red-top.

Root perennial, creeping. Culms csespitose, very slender, erect or ascending, 1-2 feet
high. Leaves 3-6 or 8 inches long, nerved, scabrous ; sheaths striate, smooth. Panicle
mostly purple — the branches capillary, alternatingly semi-verticillate, smoothishor often
scabrous. Glumes smooth, except on the keel, lanceolate, acute, finally expanding.
1'alece membranaceous, smooth at base, — the lower one nearly as long as the glumes,
the upper one very small, retuse.

Pastures and moist meadows : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. August.

Obs. This grass is somewhat variable in its botanical characters, —
as may be inferred from one of the specific names it has received, viz. :
A. polymorpha. It is often cultivated in some districts of the country,
and answers a tolerably good purpose in wet or swampy meadows, which

FIG. 253. A spikelet of Timothy (Phleum pratense). 254. The floret removed from the
glumes.

374

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

257

FIG. 255. The Red-top or Herd-grass of Pennsylvania (Agrostis vulgar is).
epikelet. 257. The floret removed from the glumos.

256. A

GRASS FAMILY. 375

its roots tend to consolidate ; but it is not among the most esteemed
grasses, — either for pasture or hay. It should be borne in mind, by
dealers in seeds, that this is not the " Herd-grass " of New York and
New England, — which is Phleum pratense, or Timothy. The whole
genus (Agrostis,) is known in England by the name of " Bent Grass,"
and one of the species (A. Alba, L., var. stolonifera), was quite cele-
brated some years ago under the name of " Fiorin Grass," as being su-
perior to all others for yielding great crops of hay ; but like many
other plants whose value has been exaggerated, it has nearly ceased to
attract notice.

7. MUHLENBERG'IA, Schreber. DROP-SEED GRASS.

[la honor of Rev. Henry Muhleriberg, D. D. ; an early and eminent American Botanist.]

Spikelets mostly in contracted panicles. Glumes acute or bristle-pointed,
persistent ; the lower rather smaller, sometimes very minute. Florets
very short stalked, or sessile in the glumes ; palece usually hairy at base,
herbaceous, deciduous with the enclosed grain, often equal ; the lower
one 3-nerved, mucronate or awned at the apex. Stamens 3. Perennials
with branching rigid culms from scaly creeping roct-stalh ; leaves short
and narrow.

1, M. diffu'sa, Schreber. Culms slender, diffusely branching; leaves
short, spreading ; panicles terminal and lateral, contracted and slender ;
glumes very minute, the lower obsolete ; lower palea with an awn once
or twice its length.

SPREADING MUHLENBERGIA. Drop-seed Grass. Nimble Will.

Culm 6-12 and 18 inches long, decumbent, geniculate, compressed, very slender and
rather wiry, glabrous, much branched — the branches assurgeut. Leaves 1 - 2 or 3 inches
in length, divaricate, lance-linear, acute roughish ; sheaths rather open, striate, pubescent
at throat ; ligule very short, finally lacerate or ciliate. Panicles 3-6 or 8 inches long,
very slender, often purplish — the branches alternate, rather distant, appressed, scabrous;
spikelets all pedicellate, racemose. Glumes persistent, very minute — the lower one a mere
rudiment, the upper one trunciate, laciniate-dentate. Palece unequal, — the lower one
longer, almost triangular, with 3 prominent, scabrous nerves, and terminating in a slender
scabrous awn, which is generally a little longer than the palea itself. Caryopsis linear-
oblong, acute, brown.

Pastures, yards and borders of dry open woodlands. Fl. August - September. Fr.
September - October.

06s. This slender grass often appears in considerable quantity in
the latter part of summer, in fields which have been kept up some years
for pasture. Cattle feed on it ; but it is not so valuable as several of
the other grasses herein mentioned. It is said to be known in Kentucky
by the name of " Nimble Will." In Pennsylvania it has scarcely been
noticed by the farmers sufficiently to acquire a common name.

2. M. Mexica'na, Trin. Culms ascending, much branched ;- panicles
terminal and lateral, contracted ; glumes acuminate, nearly as long as
the paleas ; paleas nearly equal, pilose at base, very acute, but not awned.

376 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

MEXICAN MUHLENBERGIA.

Root perennial, creeping. Culms erect or ascending, 1-2 or 3 feet high, slender and
wiry, with numerous swelling nodes, much branched and leafy above, often becoming
nearly naked below. Leaves 2-4 or 5 inches long, lance-linear, acute, nerved, scabrous,
especially on the upper surface ; sheaths smooth, compressed and but partially embracing
the culm ; ligule short, obtuse and lacerate. Panicles numerous, 2-3 inches in length,
contracted and rather dense-flowered, — the lateral ones partly sheathed at base. Glumes
narrow-lanceolate, with scarious margins and a subulate point. Palece usually longer than
the glumes (sometimes twice as long), the lower one occasionally terminating in an awn.

Moist grounds, borders of fields and woodlands. Fl. August. Fr. September.

06s. This species affords an indifferent pasture in the latter part of
summer ; but it is not of much worth. It is better to supersede these —
and all grasses of inferior quality — by the introduction of more valua-
ble ones, and it can be done by the aid of lime and manure. When the
soil is enriched and properly managed, the better kinds of natural
Grasses (especially Poa and Festuca) soon come in spontaneously and
expel the others.

8. CALAMAGROS'TIS, Adans. REED BENT-GRASS.

[Greek, Kalamos, a reed, and Agrostis ; from its affinity to both.]

Spikelets in an open or contracted, sometimes spiked panicle, 1-flowered,
and often with a rudiment or pedicel of an abortive secojid floret.
Glumes commonly nearly equal, keeled, often acute and longer than the
floret which is invested at base by a tuft of white hairs. Lower palea
mostly awned on the back ; the upper shorter, with the rudimentary,
often plumose, pedicel at its base. Stamens 3. Perennials with running
root-stocks and mostly tall, simple rigid culms.

1. C. Canaden'sis, Beauv. Panicle loose, oblong, often purplish ; lower
palea rather shorter than the lanceolate acute glumes, not exceeding
the very fine hairs, bearing an extremely delicate awn below the mid-
dle ; rudimentary pedicel minute.

CANADIAN CALAMAGROSTIS. Blue Joint-grass. Canadian Small Reed.

Calm 3 - 5 feet high. Leaves 1 foot long and about )£ of an inch wide, flat, glaucous,
slightly pubescent above, smoothish underneath. Awn scarcely equalling or exceeding
the hairs. Glumes rough, about 1>£ lines long.

Wet grounds : common north and west.

Obs. This species is considered by some as an excellent and nutritious
grass. According to WHITNEY'S Geological Report, it is abundant and
valued about Lake Superior ; the yield is said to be abundant, and it is
greedily eaten by cattle.

2. C. arena'ria, Rcth, Culm rigid, from long stout running root-
stocks ; leaves soon involute ; glumes nearly equal, keeled ; paleas
shorter than the glumes, the lower 5-nerved, mucronate or obscurely
awned near the tip, surrounded by short hairs at the base ; panicle
spike-like, contracted ; spikelets large.

SAND CALAMAGROSTIS. Sea-Sand Reed. Boach Grass. Mat Grass.

GRASS FAMILY. 377

Root stock often running for 20 - 30 feet. Culm 2-3 feet high. Leaves long, near half an
inch wide, attenuated to a long slender point, smooth and glaucous. Panicles 6 - 12 iucties
long, whitish, very close and spike-like. Spikelets about % an inch in length.

Sea-coast, Maine to New Jersey, and oil the shores of Lakes Superior and Michigan.
August.

Obs. Although this grass has, properly speaking, no agricultural use,
yet it is in some localities a very important and useful one. Along the
coast of Massachusetts it is planted to confine the blowing sands. The
Federal Government has expended considerable sums in planting this
grass for the protection of harbors, and much has been done by State
and individual effort. An interesting account showing the important
purpose a mere grass can serve, may be found in Flint's Treatise on
Grasses and Forage Plants.

9. OY'NODON, Rich. BERMUDA GRASS.

[Greek, literally Dog's tooth ; but the reason is not obvious.]

Spikes digitate, in pairs, or racemose. Spikelets with one perfect floret,
and sometimes with the subulate pedicel or abortive rudiment of a
second superior floret. Glumes keeled, awnless, nearly equal, the upper
one exterior. Palece pointless and awnless ; the lower larger, boat-
shapsd. Stamens 3. Low, diffusely branched, creeping perennials with
short flattish leaves.

1. C. Dac'tylon, Pers. Spikes 3 - 5, digitate, spreading; paleae longer
than the glumes, glabrous, with a beardless bristle at the base of the
inner one.

FINGER CYNODON. Bermuda Grass. Dog's-tooth Grass.

Root perennial, fibrous, creeping (numerous slender rhizomas). Culm procumbent,
radicating, 6-12 or 15 inches long, terete, smooth. Leaves 1-2 or 4 inches long, acute,
somewhat distichous and rigid, slightly hairy and scabrous ; sheaths longer than the
iuternodes, hairy; ligule beard-like. Spikes 3-5 (usually 4), 1-2 inches long; rachis
flexuose and angular, not winged. Scales obovate, half as long as the ovary. Stigmas dark
purple.

Loose sandy soils : Southern States : introduced? Fl. All summer (Ell). Fr.

Obs. This I should judge to be a grass of doubtful value, and equiv-
ocal character in agriculture, compared with our better species. Mr.
ELLIOTT gives the following account of it [under the name of Digitaria
Dactylon],a$ observed in South Carolina: — "We have two varieties
of this plant, one coarser (perhaps a species) growing in damp soils,
native ; the other, described above, said to be imported, a tender, deli-
cate grass, growing over and binding the most arid and loose lands in
our country, and apparently preferred by stock of all descriptions to
every other grass. The cultivation of this grass on the poor and exten-
sive sand hills of our middle country would probably convert them into
sheep-walks of great value ; but it grows in every soil, and no grass in
close rich land is more formidable to the cultivator ; it must therefore
be introduced with caution." Sir JAMES EDWARD SMITH, the Botanical
Editor of Rees' Cyclopaedia, has the following remarks [Art. PANICUM

378 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

dactylon], in reference to the plant : " This grass was perceived by Mr.
LAMBERT to be no other than the Agrostis linearjs of KOENIG, RETZIUS,
and WILLDENOW, — the Durva of the Hindoos, — which the late Sir
WILLIAM JONES, in the fourth volume of the Asiatic Eesearches, has
celebrated for the extraordinary beauty of its flowers, and its sweetness
and nutritious quality as pasture for cattle. We cannot but remark
what extraordinary celebrity is attached, every now and then, to one
grass or other, and how their fame passes away ' like the morning cloud/
while the best graziers scarcely know, perhaps, better than their fat
cattle, anything of the nature of the common, never-failing herbage to
which they are both so much indebted."

10. ELEUSI'NE, Gaertn. CRAB-GRASS.

[From Eleusis ; where Ceres, the goddess of harvests, was worshiped.]

Spikelets 2 - 6-flowered, with a terminal naked rudiment, closely imbri-
cated-spiked on one side of a flattish rachis ; the spikes digitate or
fascicled. Glumes unequal, shorter than the florets, keeled, pointless.
Palece awnless and pointless, the lower ovate, keeled ; the upper smaller,
2-keeled. Stamens 3. Pericarp (utricle) containing a loose wrinkled
seed. Annuals with low and spreading culms ; pale green.

1. E. IN'DICA, Gaertn. Culm compressed, decumbent ; spikes 2 -4 or
6, linear, straight, digitate ; spikelets lance-ovate, about 5-flowered.

INDIAN ELEUSINE. Dog's-tail Grass. Crow-foot, Crab or Yard Grass.

Root annual. Culm 6-12 and 18 inches long, oblique or often nearly procumbent,
smooth, branching at base. Leaves 2 - 12 inches long, rather crowded and distichous at
the base of the culm, linear, often inclined to be conduplicate, smooth or sparingly pilose ;
sheaths loose, striate, glabrous, pilose at throat; ligule very short, truncate, minutely
dentate. Spikes 2-4, sometimes 6 (rarely 1), 1 or 2-4 inches long ; rachis compressed.
Spikelets imbricated, smooth. Lower palea ovate-lanceolate, with a green keel, — the upper
one a third shorter, with 2 keels. Caryopsis triangular-ovoid, dark brown, trans-
versely rugose.

Farm-yards, lanes and along foot-paths. Native of India. Fl. August -September
Fr. September -October.

Obs. This grass is extensively naturalized, especially southward.
It is usually to be seen in abundance in lanes and wood-yards, about
farm-houses during the latter part of summer, — where it grows very
thick, and forms a fine carpeting in spots which had been previously
naked and muddy. Cattle and hogs are fond of it, — and Mr. ELLIOTT
commends it for hay ; but in this region it rarely grows in mowing
grounds to any considerable extent.

There is another species (E. Coracana, Gaertn.}, which is "cultivated
as corn, under the name of Natchenny, upon the Coromandel coast.''
I believe it is unknown in this country, — and probably would not be
worth introducing.

GRASS FAMILY. 379

11. DAC'TYLIS, L. ORCHARD GRASS.

[Greek, Daktylos, a finger ; in reference to the form or size of the spikes.]

Spikelets several-flowered, compressed, crowded in dense one-sided panic-
ulate dusters. Glumes unequal, acuminate, ciliate-scabrous on the keel.
Palece. nearly equal, the 5 nerves of the lower one converging into an
awn-like point. Stamens 3. Grain lance-oblong, acute at each end.
Perennials with stout culms, keeled leaves and pale-green clustered
spikelets.

1. D. GLOMERA'TA, L. Panicle distinctly branched, rather secund ;
spikelets 3 - 4-flowered, in dense unilateral clusters at the ends of the
branches.

CLUSTERED DACTYLIS. Orchard Grass. Cock's-foot Grass.
Fr. Dactyle pelotonne. Germ. Gemeines Knauel-gras.

Whole plant scabrous. Root perennial. Culm 2 - 3 or 4 feet high. Leaves 6 - 18 inches
long, lance-linear, keeled, glaucous ; sheaths striate ; ligule elongated, lacerate. Panicle
glaucous, contracted, racemose at summit, rather one-sided ; branches 3 -5, solitary, erect,
distant, subdivided towards the extremity. Spikelets about 4-flowered, compressed,
crowded in dense unilateral ovate or lance-oblong clusters at the ends of the branches.
Glumes unequal, — the lower one narrower, membranaceous, the upper one 3-nerved,
scabrous on the keel. Lower palea scabrous, ciliate on the keel, which is extended into a
cusp or short scabrous awn ; upper palea acuminate, bifid at apex, ciliate on the two green
keels, — the margins folded in so as to meet, embracing the stamens. Caryopsis lance-
oblong, sub-triquetrous, acute at each end.

Fields and orchards : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. June.

O6s. This grass has been introduced and cultivated to a considerable
extent. Our farmers, however, are not agreed upon its merits. Some
condemn it as unworthy of culture either for pasture or hay ; while
others set a high value on it for both. The fact seems to be, that it is
inferior to Timothy (PHLEUM PRATENSE, L.) for hay ; yet it has the ad-
vantage of the latter in being mature at the same time with clover, —
with which both are usually cultivated. It is also less exhausting to
the soil. But its great value is as a pasture, when sown sufficiently
thick, which, however, it rarely is, — and hence is apt to form bunches
or tussocks. It is of quick growth, and is speedily reproduced after
being cut, or eaten down ; so much so that we may almost literally ap-
ply to it the lines of VIRGIL : —

" Et quantum longis carpent armenta diebus
Exigua tantum gelidus ros nocte reponet." — Georg. 2. 201.

" Cool dews restore beneath night's transient hours,
All that the herd each live-long day devours." — Sotheby.

This grass also possesses the additional advantage of thriving well in
the shade of trees, and answers a very good purpose in orchards, &c.
The seed is usually sown in autumn, immediately after Wheat or Eye

380

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

259

258

FIG. 258. Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomcrata). 259. A spikelet.

GRASS FAMILY. 381

12. GLYCE'KIA, R. Brown. MANNA GRASS.

[Greek, Glykeros, sweet ; in allusion to the sweet taste of the seeds.]

Spikes several- or many-flowered ; florets oblong, early deciduous by the
breaking up of the rachis into joints, leaving the persistent, unequal,
1 - 3-nerved glumes behind. Palece nearly equal, naked, somewhat char-
taceous ; the lower one mostly 7-nerved, usually blunt and scarious at
the apex, rounded on the back ; the upper one 2-keeled. Stamens 2-3.
Stigmas plumose, the hairs dichotomous. Grain oblong, free. Perenni-
al, smooth semi-aquatic grasses with creeping bases or root-stocks and
sheaths usually nearly entire.

1. G, flu'itans, R. Brown. Spikelets linear, terete, pale, 7-13-flow-

ered, appressed on the branches of the long racemose narrow panicle ;

paleae minutely scabrous; the lower oblong, entire or obscurely 3-lobed,

rather longer than the 2-toothed upper one.

FLOATING GLYCEKIA. Manna Grass.

Fr. Manne de Prusse. Germ. Essbarer Schwingel.

Root perennial, creeping. Culm 4- 6 feet high, erect or ascending, compressed, glabrous.
Leaves 5-8 or 10 inches long, lance-linear, striatc, scabrous on the margin and upper sur-
face ; sheatJis nerved, smooth ; ligule very large, oblong, membranaceous, acute or some-
times obtuse. Panicle slender, 12-15 inches long, usually partly concealed in the sheath
of the upper leaf, — the branches mostly simple. Spikelets about an inch long, nearly
sessile, racemose on the branches and appressed. Glumes membranaceous, nerveless.
Upper palea blunt at apex, — the margins folded in, and a green keel at each apparent
border. Caryopsis oblong, sulcate on the upper side.

Wet low grounds, margins of shallow pools, &c. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This stout semi-aquatic grass is common to both hemispheres.
The seeds have a sweetish taste, and in some parts of the old world, —
where they are known by the name of Manna Seeds — they are used by
the poorer peasantry in making soups and gruels. In the United States
the country people, as yet, are happily ignorant of all such expedients,
and will long continue so, if they have industry enough to cultivate
more valuable grains. The herbage of this plant is eaten by stock ;
but it is so much confined to wet localities that it is scarcely entitled
to be enumerated among the grasses interesting to American farmers.

13. PO'A, L. MEADOW-GRASS.

[An ancient Greek name for herbage or pasture.]

Spikelets ovate or oblong, compressed, few- or several-flowered. Glumes
mostly shorter than the florets ; the lower ones smaller. Lower palea
membranaceo-herbaceous with a scarious margin, keeled or convex,
pointless, 5-nerved (the intermediate nerves obscure or obsolete), the
principal nerves with cobweb-like wool at their base ; upper palea mem-
branaceous, 2-keeled. Stamens 2-3. Stigmas simply plumose. Grain
oblong, free. Culms caespitose ; the leaves smooth, usually flat and soft.

* Root annual : branches of the short panicle single or in pairs.

382 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

1. P. AN'NUA, L. Culms oblique, subcompressed ; leaves rather short ;
panicle subsecund ; spikelets 3 - 7-flowered, on short pedicels, rather
crowded.

ANNUAL POA. Dwarf, or Early Meadow-Grass.
Fr. Paturin annuel. Germ. Jaehriges Rispengras.

Root annual. Culms caespitose, 3-6 or 8 inches long, smooth, geniculate, oblique at
base, or often nearly procumbent. Leaves 1-3 inches in length, sublinear, acute, keeled,
smooth ; sheaths loose, smooth ; ligule oblong, dentate. Panicle sometimes rather secund,
the branches often solitary, subdivided. Spikelets rather crowded on the divisions of the
branches, 3 or 4-6- (very often 3-) flowered. Glumes unequal, acuminate, with scarious
margins. Lower palea delicately more or less hairy on the nerves below.

Cultivated grounds, pastures, along foot-paths, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl.
April-Sept. Fr. Juue-Oct.

Obs. This little species — which was probably introduced from Europe
— comes forward early in the spring, — and what little pasture it affords
is tolerably acceptable to stock ; but it is far inferior in value and im-
portance to either of the following.

* * Root perennial ; panicle open, its branches in fives ; spikelets all dis-

tinctly pedicelled, acute, slightly Jlattened.

2. P. serot'ina, Ehrhart. Culms erect terete ; leaves linear ; ligules
elongated ; spikelets 2 - 4-flowered ; flowers acutish, often tinged with
purple.

LATE POA. Fowl Meadow-Grass. False Eed-top.

Culm 2-3 feet high. Panicle 6-10 inches long. Palea slightly hairy at the base.
Wet meadows : northward. July - Aug.

06s. This is considered a highly valuable grass for wet meadows, and
is common in New England and along the northern States to Lake
Superior.

* * * Root perennial ; panicle with the Jlattened spikelets crowded on the

branches, mostly short-pedicelled, sometimes almost sessile.

3. P. TRIVIA'LIS, L. Culm and sheaths somewhat scabrous; ligule
elongated, acute; spikelets ovate, 2 - 3-flowered, — the florets slightly
villous at base.

TRIVIAL POA. Rough Meadow-Grass.

Root perennial. Culm 1 - 2 or 3 feet high, subterete or slightly ancipital, often declined
at base, geniculate, and stoloniferous, somewhat scabrous retrorsely. Leaves 2 or 3-6
or 8 inches long, lance-linear (those of the root, or suckers, long and narrow), acute or
acuminate, slightly scabrous on the margin ; sheaths striate-nerved, scabrous when rubbed
upwards ; ligule much elongated, scarious and whitish. Panicle loose, expanding, — the
branches semi-verticillate in about fives, sharply scabrous. Spikelets usually 2- (some-
times 3-) flowered. Glumes scabrous on the keel, the lower one rather shorter, very
acute, the upper one 3-nerved, with a scarious margin. Palcce unequal, nearly smooth
or very slightly villous at base, the lower one longer, 5-nerved, scarious at apex.

Moist low grounds, meadows, and woodlands : introduced? Fl. June. Fr. July.

06s. This species (perhaps a foreigner) is frequent in moist pastures
and meadows, — and affords a good forage, both pasture and hay. It

GRASS FAMILY, 383

has much general resemblance to the following species (P. pratensis),
when growing in open grounds ; but is decidedly inferior in value, — and
may be readily distinguished from it, by the elongated ligule and re-
trorsely scabrous sheaths and culms. In woodlands, it is often a weak
straggling plant.

4, P. praten'sis, L. Culm and sheaths smooth ; ligule short, truncate ;
panicle somewhat crowded, regular, finally spreading ; spikelets ovate,
acute, 3 - 5-flowered ; florets connected by a villous web.

MEADOW POA. Spear Grass. Green Grass. Smooth Meadow-Grass.
Fr. Paturin des Pres. Germ. Yieh-gras. Wiesen Rispen-grass.

Root perennial, creeping. Plant smooth. Culm erect, 1-2 or 3 feet high, slender,
terete. Radical leaves often very numerous, and long (1-2 feet or more in length, in
good soils), scarcely a line wide and exactly linear, terminating abruptly in a boat-shaped
or keeled point, deep green, slightly scabrous on the margin ; the culm leaves shorter than
the striate-nerved glabrous sheaths ; ligule scarious, short, obtuse, often crenate-deutate.
Panicle at first rather crowded, at length expanding and pyramidal, the branches semi-
verticillate, 3-5 from a node, flexuose and nearly smooth. Spikelets pedicellate, a little
crowded on the branches ; 2 or 3 -5-flowered ; florets acute, connected at base by cobweb-
like hairs. Glumes a little unequal, compressed^ keeled, sharply acuminate. Lower palea
somewhat compressed, acute, 5-nerved, the upper one acuminate, slightly scabrous on the
two keels.

Fields, meadows, and woodlands : introduced? Fl. May- June. Fr. July.

06s. This species varies considerably, in size and appearance, when
growing in different soils and situations. In our best soils, the radical
leaves are very long and luxuriant, — when it is known by the name of
" Green Grass." In Kentucky, it is commonly called " Blue Grass," — a
name which properly belongs to the following species (P, compressa,
jL). It is the profusion of the nutritious radical leaves, which consti-
tutes the chief excellence of this grass. It is, indeed, as MUHLENBERG
terms it, " optimum pabulum,'" — being decidedly the most valuable of all
the grasses known in our pastures. It has not been found necessary, in
Pennsylvania (of latter years, at least), to cultivate it, by sowing the
seed ; for when the land is duly prepared by lime and manure, it soon
takes possession of the soil — or comes in, as the farmers term it, — and
supersedes the artificial grasses. The prevalence, therefore, and luxuriant
growth of this grass, is one of the best evidences of the land being in
good condition, and well managed. In very poor land, it deteriorates
so much that it would scarcely be recognized as the same plant. The
slender culms, of this species, afford an excellent material for the manu-
facture of the finer kinds of Leghorn hats.

5, P, compres'sa, £• Culm oblique or declined at base, much com-
pressed ; panicle contracted, somewhat secund ; spikelets oblong-ovate,
3 - 6-flowered ; florets connected by a villous web.

COMPRESSED POA. Blue Grass. Wire Grass. Flat-stalked Meadow-Grass.
Fr. Paturin applati. Germ. Eehwasen.

Root perennial, creeping (numerous branching rhizomas). Plant smooth with rather

384

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

2G1

260

few and short radical leaves. Culm 9-18 inches long, often procumbent and radicating
at base. Leaves 2 or 3 - 5 or 6 inches long, linear, keeled, roughish near the end, and

FIG. 260. Common Meadow-Grass (Poa pratensis). 261. A spikclet. 262. A pistil
removed from the paleae, showing the scales at the base of the ovary.

GRASS FAMILY. 385

with the culm of a bluish-green or glaucous hue ; sheaths rather loose, striate ; ligule
short, obtuse. Panicle contracted , at first almost spicate and rather secund, finally a
little expanding* the branches by twos and threes, short, somewhat flexuose and scabrous.
Spikelets generally 5-6-flowered, subsessile. Glumes nearly equal, acute, serrulate on
the keel. Lower palea minutely pubescent, often dark purple near the apex, with a nar-
row white scarious margin ; upper palea scabrous on the two keels. Caryopsis oblong,
reddish-brown.
Upland fields and pastures. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This species — which, though rarely if ever cultivated, yet finds
its way into most pastures — is not held in so high estimation, by our
farmers, as the one next preceding, — and certainly falls far short of it,
in the quantity of herbage afforded ; but that which is afforded is, in my
opinion, even more nutritious. Cows which feed on it, yield the richest
milk, and finest butter. The creeping roots (or rhizomas) are remarkably
tenacious of life, — and in consequence, are sometimes rather troublesome,
in cultivated grounds, among other crops ; but, on the whole, it is an
excellent grass — especially in dairy and sheep pastures. It seems rather
probable that this — as well as all the preceding species — has been intro-
duced from Europe, although they are found in some situations where
they appear to be indigenous.

14. FESTU'CA, L. FESCUE-GRASS.

[The ancient Latin name.]

Spikelets rather dry and harsh, 3 - many-flowered, panicled or racemose ;
florets not cobwebby at base. Glumes unequal, mostly keeled, shorter
than the florets. Lower palea subcoriaceous, convex on the back, not
scariously margined, more or less 3 - 5-nerved, acute, pointed, often bristle-
awned ; the upper one adhering to the grain in most of the species, but
free in the one mentioned here. Stamens mostly 3.

1. F. ELA'TIOR, L. Panicle contracted before and after flowering,
branches short ; spikelets crowded, 5 - 10-flowered ; the florets rather re-
mote, oblong-lanceolate, awnless.

TALLER FESTUCA. Tall Fescue. Meadow Fescue.

Plant glabrous. Root perennial. Culm 2-3 feet high. Leaves 4 -6 or 8 inches long
(the radical leaves numerous and longer), lance-linear, acuminate, nerved, shining be-
neath, scabrous on the margin ; sheaths nerved ; ligule very short or obsolete. Panicle
4-6 or 8 inches long, somewhat secund, mostly erect, the branches generally single, but
often subdivided. Spikelets about 7-flowered, racemose on the branches, often purplish.
Glumes unequal, the lower one keeled, the upper one larger, 3-nerved, scarious on the
margin. Lower palea obscurely 5-ncrved, somewhat acute but not acuminate normucro-
nate ; upper palea white, with 2 green keels, and the margins doubled or folded in.

Fertile pasture fields and meadows, road-sides, &c. : introduced. Native of Europe.
Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This is a valuable grass — commonly mingled with Poa pra-
tensis, L., in good soils ; but easily distinguished from that plant, by
its tapering slender-pointed shining leaves. It is extensively naturalized
in the middle and northern States ; and although I have never known it
to be cultivated, it soon finds its way into all rich pasture lands. There
17

386 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

seem to be no good characters to distinguish this from F. PRATEN'SIS,
Huds. We have a few native species of Festuca, — but they are of little
or no value in Agriculture — and some of them are indicative of a poor
soil.

15. BRO'MUS, L. BROME GRASS.

[Greek, Broma, food ; Bromos was rm ancient name for oats.]

Spikelets 5 - many-flowered in a loose panicle. Glumes unequal, mem-
branaceous ; the upper 3 - 9-nerved, the lower 1 - 5-nerved. Lower palea
convex on the back, 5 - 9-nerved, awned from below the mostly 2-cleft
apex. Upper palea pectinate-ciliate on the two keels, finally adhering
to the groove of the linear-oblong grain. Stamens 3. Coarse grasses
with large spikelets which are finally nodding.

1. B. secali'nus, L. Panicle spreading, even in fruit;
spikelets ovate-oblong, 8- 10-flowered ; florets pubescent ;
awn short, sometimes very short or none.

EYE BROMUS. Cheat. Chess. Brome Grass.

Fr. Brome Seigle. Germ. Roggen-Trespe. Span. Bromo.

Root annual. Culm 3-4 feet high, smooth. Leaves 6-12 inches
long, lance-linear, nerved, scabrous and pilose on the upper surface ;
sheaths nerved, smooth ; liyule oblong, retuse, laciniate-dentate. Pan-
icle 4-6 or 8 inches long, the branches semi-verticillate, nearly simple,
2G3 scabrous and pubescent. Florets a little remote at base, so as to ap-
pear distinct on the flexuose rachis. Lower glume shorter, 5-nerved,
sometimes mucronate,— -the upper one 7 -nerved, obtuse or emarginatc.
Lower palea obscurely 7 -nerved, slightly pubescent near the apex,
— the awn mostly shorter than the floret, flexuose (sometimes want-
ing, or a mere rudiment) ; upper palea linear, awnless, peetinate-ciliatc on the keel
at each border, the scarious margins being folded in. Caryopsis closely embraced by the
lower palea, grooved on. the sides with the upper palea doubled in the groove, and ad-
herent.

Cultivated grounds, chiefly among wheat and rye : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl.
June. Fr. July.

Obs. This foreigner is a well-known pest among our crops of Wheat
and Rye, — and occasionally appears in the same fields, for a year or two,
after the grain crop ; but being an annual, it is soon choked out by the
perennial grasses. — and the fallen seeds remain, like myriads of others,
until the ground is again broken up, or put in a favorable state for
their developement. The best preventive of this and all similar evils, in
the grain-field, is to sow none but good clean seed.

Among the curious vulgar errors which yet infest the minds of credu-
lous and careless observers of natural phenomena, may be mentioned the
firm belief of many o'f our farmers (some of them, too, good practical
farmers), that this troublesome grass is nothing more than an accidental
variety, or casual form, of degenerate Wheat, — produced by some un-
toward condition of the soil, or unpropitious season, or some organic

FIG. 263. A spikelet of Chess or Cheat (Bromus secalinus).

GRASS FAMILY. 387

injury : — though it must be admitted, I think, by the most inveterate
defender of that faith, that in undergoing the metamorphosis, the plant
is surprisingly uniform in its vagaries, in always assuming the exact
structure and character of Bromus !

A similar hallucination has long prevailed among the peasantry of
Europe, in relation to this supposed change of character in the Grasses.
But, in the Old World, they were even more extravagant than with us ;
for they believed that Wheat underwent sundry transmutations, — first
changing to Rye — then to Barley — then to Bromus, — and finally from
Bromus to Oats ! I believe the most credulous of our countrymen have
not been able, as yet, to come up with their transatlantic brethren, in
this matter. This grass has been cultivated within a few years as
Willard's Bromus, and the seed sold at a high price. The farmers
found that they not only did not get a valuable grass, but were really
propagating a worthless and pernicious weed, being thus doubly cheated.

2. B. racemo'sus, L. Panicle erect, contracted in fruit ; lower palea
decidedly exceeding the upper, bearing an awn of its own length.
RACEMED BROMUS. Upright Chess. Smooth Brome Grass.

Stem more slender than in chess. Sheaths hairy, in other respects resembling it. Ac-
cording to Mr. Flint, the most reliable distinction between this and chess, (for which it is
often mistaken,) is that the summit of the large glume reaches midway between the sum-
mit and the base of the third jloret in the spikelet ; while in chess it only comes to the
middle of the second floret. '

Common in grain fields. Native of Europe. June.

Obs. This is a worthless species found in grain fields, as is B. mollis,
which resembles the preceding, but has long awned flowers which, as
also the leaves, ar» downy, and the spikelets are closely imbricated. By
some, the two are considered as forms of the same species. There are
two native species of the genus, of no agricultural value.

16. PHRAGMI'TES, Trin. REED.

[Greek, Phragmos, a partition o rhedge ; from the use said to be made of it.]

Spikelets 3 - 7-flowered ; Jloret s distichous, rather distant, not hairy at

base, — tjje lowest one neuter or with a single stamen, the others perfect ;

rachis clothed with long silky hairs. Glumes keeled, acute, membrana-

ceous, shorter than the florets, very unequal. Palece membranaceous, the

lower one thrice the length of the upper, narrow-subulate — the upper

one 2-keeled. Stamens 3. Grain free. Perennial grasses with tall

simple culms, broad leaves and large terminal panicles.

1. P. commu'nis, Trin. Panicle large, loosely expanded ; spikelets

3 - 5-flowered.

COMMON PHRAGMITES. Reed Grass.

Fr. Roseau a balais". +Germ. Gemeines Rohr. Span. Cana.

Culm 8-12 feet high, and often an inch or more in diameter at base, nodose, terete,
glabrous. Leaves 1-2 feet long, and about 2 inches wide at base, linear-lanceolate, attenu-

388 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ated at apex, glaucous, scabrous on the margin ; sheaths closely embracing the culm,
smooth ; ligule very short, pilose or fimbriate. Panicle, terminal, large, — the branches
smoothish, long, slender, semi-verticillate, with a tuft of soft hairs at base. Spikelets
lance-linear, erect, pedunculate, 3-5- (mostly 3-) flowered. Loivest floret staminate, ses-
sile, naked at base ; upper florets pedicellate, — the pedicels finally clothed with long white
silky hairs which are nearly as long as the florets (these hairs scarcely perceptible on the
young panicle). Palece v£ry unequal,— the lower one with a long slender acumination,
which is involute, resembling an awn.
Margins of swamps and swampy streams. Fl. August. Fr. September.

Obs. This grass appears to be indigenous in both hemispheres. It
possesses but little agricultural interest ; yet, being so remarkably large
(rivalling Indian Corn in size), I have concluded to give it a place here.

17. ARUNDINA'RLA, MX. CANE.

[Name formed from Arundo, a reed.]

Spikelets compressed, 5 - 14-flowered ; florets somewhat separated on the
jointed rachis. Glumes membranaceous, very small, the lower one
smaller than the upper. Palece herbaceous, or somewhat membranaceous ;
the lower convex on the back, not keeled, mucronate or bristle-pointed.
Scales 3, longer than the ovary. Stamens 3. Grain oblong, free. Tall
arborescent or shrubby grasses, simple or fasciculately branched ; spike-
lets in panicles or racemes, polygamous.

1, A. macrosper'ina, MX. Leaves linear-lanceolate, pubescent beneath ;
panicle simple ; spikelets few, very large.

LONG OK LARGE-SEEDED ARUNDINARIA. Cane.

Root perennial, csespitose (creeping rhizomas). Culm 3-15 feet*high (30 feet or more
in the gigantic variety), terete, glabrous, fistular, rigid, branching towards the summit, —
the branches distichous. Leaves distichous, lanceolate, large, flat, slightly acuminate, pubes-
cent on the under surface ; sheaths much longer than the internodes, marcescent, — the
ihroat contracted ; ligule bristly. Panicle simple, — the peduncles about an inch long,
pubescent. Spikelets 1 - 3 inches in length.

Rich, occasionally inundated, soils : South-Wcstern States. Fl. March- April. Fr.

Obs. Having only seen the small variety of this species, as it grows in
the vicinity of the Dismal Swamp, Virginia, — I cannot speak, from per-
sonal observation, of the arborescent variety which forms the celebrated
Cane brakes of the Mississippi region. Although this remarkable grass
has but little connection with Agriculture, I have supposed it might be
entitled to a brief notice ; for which I am indebted to Mr. ELLIOTT'S
valuable sketch of the Botany of South Carolina and Georgia. The
culms of this species are well known from their common use as angling
rods.

18. LO'LIUM, L. DARNEL.

[The ancient Latin name.]

Spikelets many-flowered, solitary on each joint of the continuous rachis,
the edge of the spikelets placed towards the rachis. Glumes (except at

GRASS FAMILY. 389

the terminal spikelet) only one and that on the outer side : — otherwise

much resembling Triticum.

1. L. PEREN'NE, L. Spikelets compressed, linear-lanceolate, longer than

the glumes] about 7-flowered, — the florets mostly awnless.

PERENNIAL LOLIUM. Kay-grass, or Eye-grass. Darnel.

Fr. Ivraie vivace. Germ. Ausdauernder Lolch. Span. Joyo.

Root perennial, creeping. Culm 1-2 feet high, smooth. Leaves 4 -8 or 10 inches long,
lance-linear, shining green, smooth, somewhat scabrous near the end ; sheaths striate,
glabrous ; ligule truncate. Spike about 6 inches long, — the rachis flexuose, channelled or
concave opposite the spikelets. Spikelets 12-18 or 20, a little distant, alternately on op-
posite sides of, and with their edges to, the rachis. Glumes one to each spikelet (except
the terminal one), lance-linear, acute, nerved, resembling a short rigid leaf. Lower palea
rather obtuse, obscurely 5-nerved ; upper palea a little longer, ciliate-serrulate on the two
prominent keels.

Meadow banks and grass lots : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

06s. This grass — which seems to be much esteemed in Europe — has
been partially introduced into this country, and has become naturalized
in many places, — though I believe it has been but little cultivated, by
our farmers. It affords a valuable pasture where the soil is rich, — in
such situations producing radical leaves in great luxuriance ; and makes
a handsome sward for yards and lawns.

There is another species in Europe, (L. temulentum, L., supposed to
be the " infelix Lolium," of VIRGIL — the " Darnel," of the English), — of
which the seeds are said to be somewhat poisonous. If so, it is the only
instance known, in all the Gramineae, in which the sound seeds are of
that character.

The Italian Ray Grass has been extensively distributed through the
agency of the Patent Office, and is probably a variety of the above or
some other species ; great superiority is claimed for it in Europe, but
not enough is known of it, in our climate, to decide whether it is equal
to the grasses already in cultivation.

19. TEIT'ICUM, L. WHEAT.

[Latin, tritus, a rubbing or grinding ; the grain being so treated.]

Spikelets 3 - several-flowered, compressed, with the fiat side against the
rachis. Glumes nearly equal and opposite. Lower palea very like the
glumes, convex, awned or merely mucronate ; the upper one flat, bristly-
ciliate on the 2 keels, free or adherent to the groove of the grain.
Stamens 3. Annuals or perennials, the former furnishing bread-corn.

* Annual : spike ^-sided : glumes ventricose, obtuse. (TRUE WHEAT.)
1. T. VULGA'RE, Vill. Spike imbricated, with a tough rachis ; spikelets
4 - 5-flowered, rather crowded, broad-ovate, obtuse ; glumes ventricose,
mucronate, compressed at apex ; lower palea awned, mucrouate, or awn-
less ; grain free.

COMMON TRITICUM. Wheat. Winter Wheat. Spring Wheat.
Fr. Le Fromeut. Ble. Germ. Gemeiner Waizen. Span. Trigo.

390 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Root annual. Culm 2 or 3- 5 feet high, terete, smooth,— the nodes striate, pubescent.
Leaves 6-15 inches long, lance-linear, nerved smooth or slightly scabrous on the upper
surface ; sheaths nerved, smooth ; ligule truncate, dentate. SpikeZ-b inches long, dense,
4-sided, mostly simple, finally nodding ; rachis compressed, broad, hirsute on the margin.
SpiJcelels sessile, broad, compressed at apex. Glumes ventricose, boat-shaped at apex.
Florets usually 3 fertile and 2 abortive, — the penultimate one pistillate, the terminal one
neutral and pedicellate. Palece nearly equal, — the lower one ventricose, awned or mucro-
nate, the upper one folded, ciliate on the two keels. Garyopsis ovoid-oblong, sulcate on
the upper side, yellowish or brown.

Fields : cultivated. Native country uncertain, — perhaps Persia. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. Although it has been estimated that more human beings are
nourished by Rice, than by any other grain, — yet it is probable that
Wheat is the most intrinsically valuable of all the Cerealia, or grain-
bearing grasses. It is to this plant that civilized man — especially in the
temperate latitudes — is emphatically indebted for his bread ; and it is
consequently a prominent object of attention with the practical agricul-
turist. The variety, called " Spring Wheat,"* is occasionally, but rarely,
cultivated in this country, — while the " Winter Wheat " is cultivated
everywhere, throughout the northern, middle, and western States. A
plant that has been so long under culture, in almost every kind of soil
and climate, of course presents specimens of various character, and
aspect ; — such as bearded, beardless, red-chaff, white-chaff &c., and the
color of the grain also, varies from whitish, or yellowish, to brown.
These fixed characters, or permanent varieties of the plant (called races
by. the Botanists), have all, in their turn, been favorites with the farm-
ers,— according as they were best adapted to the market, or the place
of growth — or best resisted the ravages of the " Hessian fly." A bearded
variety, with a brown grain, called " Mediterranean Wheat," is the favor-
ite onejn some localities. In remarking on the character of the grain,
M'CuLLOCH says, " the finest samples of Wheat are small in the berry
(caryopsis), thin skinned, fresh, plump, and bright, slipping readily
through the fingers."

One species of Triticum (T. turgidum, L.) is said to be cultivated in
Italy, solely for the manufacture of Leghorn or straw hats.

** Perennials: spikes mostly ^-ranked: glumes lanceolate or linear-oblong,
often acuminate.

2. T. re' pens, L. Rhizomas creeping; spikelcts 4 - 8-flowered, awn
none, or not more than half the length of the floret ; leaves flat.
CREEPING TEITICUM. Couch-grass. Quitch-grass.
Fr. Chien-dent. Germ. Gemeine Quecke.

Boot perennial,— a white, jointed, creeping rJiizoma. Culm about 2 feet high, smooth.
Leaves 4-8 or 12 inches long, lance-linear, nerved, scabrous and somewhat pilose on
the upper surface ; sheaths nerved, smooth ; ligule short, truncate. Spike 3-5 inches
long; rachis flexuose, compressed, scabrous on the margin. Glumes keeled, strongly
nerved, roughish,— the outer margin broader. Florets alternate, a little distant. Lower
palea 5-nervcd, mucronate, smooth ; upper palea obtuse, ciliate-serrate on the two keels.

Meadows, pasture lots, &c.: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. August.

Obs. This species — which is quite distinct in habit from the genuine

GRASS FAMILY. 391

"Wheat — has found its way into some districts of our country ; and is a
troublesome pest in cultivated grounds, when fully introduced, — by
reason of the great tenacity of lite in its rhizomas, or creeping subter-
ranean stems. In some localities this may afford an acceptable pastur-

FIG. 264. Couch- or Quitch-Grass (Triticum repens).

392 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

age — wnere other grasses will not thrive — but in the northern States it
is considered desirable to keep our farms as clear of it as possible.

20. SECA'LE, L. EYE.

[Latin, secare, to cut ; or perhaps from the Celtic, Sega, a sickle.]

Spikelets 2-flowered, — arranged as in Triticum. Glumes sub-opposite,
keeled. Lower palea awned at apex, keeled, with unequal sides — the
outer side broader and thicker ; upper palca shorter, 2-keeled. Scales 2,
entire, ciliate. Stamens 3. Grain free, hairy at summit. A tall an-
nual, bluish-glaucous grass with long-awned/orefc.
1. S. CEREA'LE, L. Spikes compressed, linear; glumes subulate, 'sca-
brous ; paleae smooth, — the lower one bristly-ciliate on the keel and ex-
terior margin.

HARVEST SECALE. Eye. Common Eye.
Fr. Le Seigle. Germ. Gemeiner Eoggen. Span. Centeno.

Cidm 4-6 feet high, glabrous, hairy near the spike. Leaves 6-18 inches long, lance-
linear, smooth beneath, roughish above and on the margin, glaucous ; sheaths mcmbrana-
ceous, nerved, smooth ; ligule short, dentate. Spike 4-6 inches long, 2-sided and flattish,
linear. Spikelets mostly 2-flowered, with an awn-like rudiment of a third. Glumes a little
distant from the florets, opposite, scabrous, bristly-pilose at base. Lower palea ventricose,
acuminate, compressed at apex, 5-nerved, terminating in a long scabrous awn ; keel and
exterior margin bristly-ciliate, — the inner margin not ciliate, and the nerves on that side
less conspicuous ; upper palea lanceolate, acuminate, often bifid at apex, sparingly ciliate
on the 2 keels. Grain oblong, sub-cylindrical, grooves on the upper side, hairy at sum-
mit ; dusky brown.

Fields : cultivated. Native of the East. Fl. June. Fi: July.

06.9. This cereal grass seems to do best in light sandy soils. The grain
in such soils is of a better quality, and affords a whiter flour. Eye
comes nearer to Wheat, in bread-making qualities, than any other
grain, — but is, nevertheless, decidedly inferior to it. It is the principal
bread-corn of the northern parts of Europe — especially of Eussia and
Germany.

The seed is subject — particularly in wet seasons — to become diseased,
and enlarged, — producing what is called Ergot, or spurred -Eye. This
diseased grain is injurious to health, when made into bread ; but has
been found to possess important medical properties, in certain cases,
when judiciously administered.

21. HOE'DEUM, L. BARLEY.

[An ancient Latin name ; of obscure derivation.]

Spikelets 1-flowered, with a subulate rudiment of a second floret — ar-
ranged in threes at the joints of the rachis, the lateral ones mostly abor-
tive. Glumes lance-linear, flat, rigid, subulate-awncd, collateral in front
of the spikelets, 6 in number, forming a kind of involucre. Palecs her-
baceous,— the lower one concave, produced into a long awn at apex.
Stamens 3. Grain hairy at summit, oblong, sulcate on the upper oj
inner side, adherent to the palea?, or rarely free.

GKASS FAMILY. 393

1. H. VULGA'RE, L. Spikelets all fertile, awned, — the florets arranged
so as to form a nearly four- (or somewhat 6-) sided spike.

COMMON HORDEUM. Barley. Four-rowed Barley.

Fr. Orge commune. Germ. Gemeine Gerste. Span. Cebada.

Root annual. Culm 2-3 feet high, smooth. Leaves 6-15 inches long, lance-linear,
keeled, striate, smoothish ; sheaths nerved, smooth, auriculate at throat ; ligule very short.
Spike about 3 inches long, rather thick and somewhat 4-sided ; rachis compressed, smooth,
pubescent on the margin.

Fields : cultivated. Native of Sicily and Tartary. Fl. May. Fr. June.

Obs. The ternate spikelets of this species being all fertile, the spike
often assumes somewhat of a six-sided appearance ; and I understand
that in Western New-York — the great Barley region of this country —
.it is usually called Six-rowed Barley, — though that name would seem
more properly to belong to another nearly allied species (H. hexastichum,
£.) — if; indeed, it be really distinct. This and the following species are
cultivated extensively in the middle and northern States — and almost
exclusively for the Breweries. The grain is rarely given to cattle. — and
Barley bread is unknown in the United States. The plant requires a
good soil, — and hence serves as a kind of index to the quality of the
farms in Pennsylvania : the fallow crop on good land being generally
Barley, — while the occupants of a poor soil have to be content with a
crop of Oats.

2. H. DIS'TICHUM, L. Lateral spikelets sterile, awnless, — the fertile
ones awned, distichous or forming a two-sided spike.

DISTICHOUS HORDEUM. Two-rowed Barley.

Root annual. Culm 2-3 feet high, smooth. Leaves 6-15 inches long, lance-linear,
nerved, scabrous on the upper surface ; sheaths nerved, smooth, with 2 lanceolate, auricu-
late appendages at throat ; ligule short, truncate. Spike 3-4 inches long, compressed or
ancipital, linear ; rachis flatted, smooth, hirsute on the margin.

Native of Tartary. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This species is something later than the preceding, in coming to
maturity ; and on that account is preferred by many farmers in Penn-
sylvania,— as it interferes less with their Hay crops. It also stands bet-
ter than the preceding, after it is ripe, — and yields a heavier grain —
though not a greater quantity. The seed, of both species, is usually
sown (in Pennsylvania) about the last of March.

22. AYE'NA, L. OAT.

[The classical Latin name.]

Spikelets 2 - many-flowered in a loose, large and somewhat nodding pani-
cle ; the florets herbaceo-chartaceous, of a firmer texture than the glumes,
somewhat distant ; the terminal one abortive. Glumes somewhat un-
equal, loose and membranaceous. Lower palea convex on the back, 5 -
9-nerved, with a bent or twisted awn (proceeding from the middle nerve

17*

394

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

only) on the back. Stamens 3. Grain oblong, grooved on the upper
side, hairy at summit, free but invested by the upper palea.

1. A. SATI'VA, L. Panicle regular; spikelets 2-flowered, pendulous;
florets shorter than the glumes, naked at base.

CULTIVATED AVENA. Oats. Common Oats.

FT. Avoine cultivee. Germ. Gemeiner Hafer. Span. Avena.

2G8

2G5

Root annual. Culm 2-4 feet high, smooth. Leaves 6-15 inches long, lance-linear,
nerved, scabrous ; sfteattsstriate, smooth, rather loose; ligule lacerate. Panicle loose,
somewhat nodding, — the spikelets all pedunculate, pendulous. Lower floret mostly awnocl
on the back ; upper floret avvnless, with a, pedicel at the base of the upper palea, bearing at
its summit membranaceous rudiments of a third floret. Grain closely invested by the
smnothish shining sub-cartilaginous paleae.

Fields : cultivated as a fallow crop. F-l. July. Fr. August.

Obs. The native country of this plant — as of most of our cultivated
grains — seems to be somewhat uncertain, — though this one is said to
have been found native in the island of Juan Fernandez. Oats are ex-

FIG. 265. A spike of 2-rowed Barley (Hordeum distichum). 266. A cluster of 3 spike-
lets, the central one fertile, the two lateral ones sterile.

GRASS FAMILY.

395

tensively cultivated, in this country, — chiefly as food for horses. Dr.
JOHNSON took occasion, in compiling his Dictionary, to fling a sarcasm
at the Scotch, by defining oats to be the food of horses in England, and
of men in Scotland — as if the effects of climate were a fit subject on
which to taunt a people ! Yet this was but one of many instances of his
national prejudice and illiberality.

This grain succeeds better than Barley, in a thin soil ; and is there-

A.H.

267

fore frequently employed, in the rotation of crops, when Barley would
have been preferred, had the land been good. The A. NUDA, L., called
" skinless oats," — a species nearly allied to this, but with 3 - 5-flowered
spikelets, and the caryopsis loosely covered by the paleae, — has been par-
tially cultivated, by the curious, on account of its superior fitness for
making Oat-meal, as an article of diet for the sick.

23. ARRHENATHE'RUM, Beauv. OAT-GRASS.

[Greek, Ahrrhen, male, and Ather, awn ; the staminate floret being awnod.]
Spikelets 2-flowered with the rudiment of a third, terminal one ; middle

FIG. 267. A 3-flowered spikelet of the Oat (Avena saliva), the two lower flowers fertile,
the lowermost awnod, the uppermost abortive. 268. The pistil removed to exhibit the
scales at the base of the hairy ovary.

396 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

flower perfect, with its lower palea convex with a short awn near the
apex ; lowest floret staminate only, bearing a long bent awn on the back
below the middle ; otherwise nearly as in Avena.

1. A. AVENA'CEUM, Beauv. Leaves flat ; panicle linear-oblong, con-
tracted, finally spreading ; glumes unequal, the lower one shorter than
the florets.

OAT-LIKE ARRHENATHERUM. Oat-grass. Grass of the Andes.
Fr. Avoine elevee. Germ. Wiesen Hafer.

Root perennial, creeping, nodose. Culm about 3 feet high, glabrous. Leaves 4 - 8 or 10
inches long, lance-linear, scabrous on the margin and upper surface ; sheaths striate,
smooth ; ligule short, retuse. Panicle linear-oblong, finally spreading and somewhat
nodding, — the branches short, semi-verticillate.

Cultivated lots : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July.

Obs. This grass has been partially introduced, and cultivated, by a few
curious farmers ; but it does not appear to be much of a favorite, either
for pasture or hay, in Pennsylvania. It is sometimes called " Grass of
the Andes," — but I know not for what reason, as it seems to be of un-
doubted European origin.

FLINT in his treatise upon Grasses, speaks favorably of this grass, re-
marking that " it is esteemed by those who know it for its early, rapid
and late growth, making it well calculated for a late pasture grass."

24. HOL'CUS, L. VELVET-GRASS.

[An ancient Greek name, of obscure derivation.]

Spikelets crowded in an open panicle, 2 - 3-flowered ; florets jointed with
their pedicels, somewhat remote, enclosed and exceeded by the membra-
naceous boat-shaped glumes. Lower floret perfect, but its thin lower
palea awnless ; upper flower staminate only, with a bent awn below the
tip. Stamens 3. Styles plumose to the base. Grain free, smooth.

1. H. lana'tus, L. Softly hoary pubescent ; panicle oblong, rather
contracted ; awn of the staminate floret recurved, included in the glume.

WOOLLY HOLCUS. Velvet-grass. Feather-grass. White Timothy.
Fr. Houque laineuse. Foin de mouton. Germ. Wolliges Honig-gras.

Root perennial. Culm simple, 18 inches to 2 feet high. Leaves lance-linear, acute, 2-5
or 6 inches long ; ligule white, truncate, dentate. Panicle, oblong, somewhat dense,— the
branches hairy. Glumes roughish-pubescent, whitish, often tinged with purple. Florets
both pedicellate, smooth and shining. Pdlece of the perfect floret nearly equal in length,
the lower one broader, keeled.— of the staminate floret unequal, the lower one larger, keel-
ed, with a recurved or hooked awn on the back near the apex.

Moist meadows : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July.

Obs. This grass is naturalized in many places in Pennsylvania. Some

GRASS FAMILY.

397

of the farmers in Virginia speak favorably of it ; but I think it must be
from want of familiarity with more valuable kinds. It is true, that
MUHLENBERG praises it — calling it " excellens pabulum" ; but it is certain-

FIG. 269. Velvet Grass (Holcus lanatus).

398 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ly very little esteemed by our farmers ; and in this they concur in the
opinion expressed by Mr. G. SINCLAIR, in his valuable Hortus Grami-
neus.

25. ANTHOXAN'THUM, L. SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL GRASS.

[Greek, Anthos, flower, and antlwn, of flowers ; flower of flowers.]

SpiMets in a condensed, spike-form panicle ; each spikelet 3-flowered,
but the lower two (or apparently lateral) florets neutral, consisting merely
of a narrow palea, which is hairy and awned on the back. Perfect floret
diandrous, with 2 short, smooth, shining paleae. Glumes thin, acute,
keeled, the upper about as long as the flowers and twice the length of
the lower. Grain smooth, adherent to and enclosed by the palea?.

1. A. ODORA'TUM, L. Panicle contracted into an oblong spike ; spike-
lets sub-pedunculate, spreading, pubescent ; paleae of the neutral florets
ciliate.

FRAGRANT ANTHOXANTHUM. Sweet-scented Vernal Grass.
Fr. Flouve odorante. Germ. Das Rusch-gras.

Root perennial. Culm erect, 12-18 inches high, rather slender. Leaves lance-linear,
shortish (1 or 2 - 5 or 6 inches long) , pubescent ; sheaths nerved, sulcate ; liguU elongated,
membrauaceous. Panicle a sort of loose spike 1-2 or 3 inches long, becoming yellow
when mature ; spikdds somewhat fascicled, on short peduncles. Palece of the perfect floret
very short, obtuse, nearly equal, smooth and shining, the lower one much broader.
Paleaz of the neutral florets single, linear-oblong, ciliate on the margins, — one of them with
a geniculate awn from near the base, more than twice as long as the palea, the other with
a straight awn about as long as the palea, inserted on the back near the summit. Anthers
linear, large. Stigmas white. Grain oblong, blackish, shining.

Meadows and moist open woodlands : introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May -June.
Fr. July.

Obs. This has been much noticed, in Europe, as a fragrant meadow-
grass ; but it seems rather to belong to a moist, cold, thin soil, — and is
by no means regarded, in the United States, as a grass of superior value.
When cut, and partly dry, it emits a fragrant odor ; often remarkable
in new mown hay. The culms have been used in the manufacture of
imitation Leghorn hats and bonnets.

This grass is the plant referred to by Dr. DARWIN, in the following
lines of his imaginative poem, the " Botanic Garden :" —

" Two gentle shepherds, and their sister-wives,
With thee, ANTHOXA ! lead ambrosial lives ;
Where the wide heath in purple pride extends,
And scatter'd furze its golden lustre blends,
Closed in a green recess, unenvi'd lot !
The blue smoke rises from their turf-built cot •
Bosom'd in fragrance blush their infant train,
Eye the warm sun, or drink the silver rain."

Bot. Garden, Part II. Canto L 1. 85-92

26. PHAL'AEIS, L. CANARY GRASS.

[Greek, Phalos, shining ; alluding to the shining florets, or palese.]

SpiMets in a dense or spiked panicle, 3-flowered, but the two lower (or

GRASS FAMILY.

399

lateral) florets mere neutral rudiments at the base of the perfect one.
Glumes nearly equal, boat-shaped and often winged-keeled, exceeding the
florets. Fertile floret flattish, of two shining awnless pale<z which at

FIG. 270 Sweet-scented Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratuin). See Fig. 249.

400

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

length become coriaceous, closely investing the free smooth grain. Leaves
broad and flat.

1. P. arundina'cea, L. Panicle oblong, with the spikelets more or less
clustered and somewhat secund on the branches ; glumes keeled, wing-
less ; neutral, rudiments hairy.
REED-LIKE PHALAEIS. Reed Canary Grass.

271

FIG. 271. Rood Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea). 272. Aspikelet. 273. Aspikelet with
the glumes removed ; the central fertile flower with two minute abortive ones at its base.

GKASS FAMILY. 4iVi

Perennial. Culm 3 -5 feet high. Leaves 5-12 inches long, lance-linear, keeled, deep
green ; sheaths smooth ; ligule ovate, obtuse. Panicle erect, finally a little spreading,
glaucous. Glumes acute or acuminate with flattened tips, whitish with 3 green nerves.
Palece pilose with appresscd hairs. Grain ovate, dark brown.

Swampy places and borders of rivulets : common. June -July.

Obs. This fine-looking deep green grass frequently arrests the atten-
tion on account of its luxuriant growth and promising appearance ; but
it is of little or no agricultural value. When cut early and made into
hay, cattle, it is said, will eat it if they can get nothing better. A va-
riety, with the leaves striped with white, is known in gardens as the
Striped or Ribbon Grass. When this variety is allowed to grow in wet
situations it loses its peculiarity.

2. P. CANARIEN'SIS, L. Panicle spike-like, oval ; glumes wing-keeled ;

neutral rudiments smooth.

CANARY PHALARIS. Canary Grass.

Annual. Culm 1-2 feet high, smooth. Leaves pale green and glaucous ; the sheaths
somewhat inflated. Glumes nearly twice as long as the palea?, yellowish-green.
Waste places and in cultivation. Native of Europe. July -September.

Obs. This is sometimes cultivated for the seed which is the favorite
food of Canary Birds ; it is also naturalized to some extent and is fce-
quently seen in waste places.

27. PAS'PALUM, L. PASPALUM.

[Greek, Paspalos; said to be an ancient name for Millet.]

Spikelets racemose-spiked, usually in 2 rows, on one side of a flattened
continuous rachis, jointed with their very short pedicels, plano-convex
and nearly orbicular. Glume and empty palea few-nerved. Perennials
with erect smoothish culms and single, digitate or racemed spikes.
1, P. seta'ceum, MX. Culm slender ; leaves hairy ; spike mostly soli-
tary on a long terminal peduncle.
SETACEOUS PASPALUM.

Culm 1 - 2 feet high, setaceously slender, often purplish below and somewhat hairy.
Leaves 2-6 inches long, hairy on both sides ; sheaths smooth, pilose at throat. Spike 2-4
inches in length, very slender, — often with another on a short peduncle from the same
sheath, sometimes others from the lower sheaths.

Sandy fields and road-sides : throughout the United States. August.

Obs. This grass, together with Panicum sanguinale, L., is said by Dr.
Short to supplant and take the place of the Kentucky Blue Grass, at
the West, in all exposed and sunburnt situations, after midsummer. *

28. PAN'ICUM, L. PANIC GRASS.

[Supposed from the Latin, Panis, bread ; which some species afford.]
Spikelets panicled or racemose, sometimes spiked. Glumes unequal ; the
lower one short or minute, sometimes wanting. Lower Jloret neutral or
stamiuate, rarely awned, mostly consisting of a single palea which re-
sembles the upper glume. Upper Jloret perfect, coriaceous, awnless, en-

402 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

closing -the free and grooveless grain. Stamens 3. Stigmas plumose,
usually purple. The species here enumerated are all annual.

*Spikelets crowded 2-3 together in simple one-sided digitate-fascicled spikes :
neutral floret of a single palea: lower glume minute or wanting.

1. P. sanguina'le, L. Spikes 4 - 15 ; upper glume half the length of the
flower ; the lower one small.

BLOODY (OR PURPLE) PANICUM. Crab Grass. Finger Grass.

Culm decumbent, 1-2 feet long, somewhat branching from the sheaths, genictilate,
glabrous, radicating at the lower nodes. Leaves 1 or 2- 6 or 8 inches long, softly pilose ;
sheaths strigosely hairy, sometimes smooth ; ligule short, truncate, or ovate and acute,
white or often tinged with purple. Spikes 2 or 3- 6 inches in length, often in 2 fascicles or
verticils a little distant from each other, becoming purple ; rachis flat, flexuose, scabrous
on the margin. Spikelets in pairs, appressed, in 2 rows on the outer or under side of the
rachis, on short pedicels, — the lower ones subsessile.

Gardens and cultivated grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. July - September.
Ir. August -October.

Obs. In the middle States, this is a troublesome Grass in Gardens, in
the latter part of summer ; and is frequent, also, in Indian Corn-fields, —
but not difficult to be kept in reasonable subjection, by the early and
free use of the " cultivator." Cattle will eat it, — but do not appear to
be particularly fond of it : and indeed it is generally choked out of good
pastures, by the prevalence of more acceptable grasses. It is said to be
a serious pest, in the cultivated grounds of the Southern planters. Mr.
ELLIOTT — than whom there can be no better authority — has the follow-
ing remarks on this plant : — " Grows everywhere on lands not inundated.
Well known to planters under the name of Crab or Crop grass. It is
the most troublesome grass our planters have to encounter in high
ground culture, and though an annual, it is the best grass for hay at
present known in our low country."

2. P. gla'brum, Gaudin. Spikes 2-6, widely diverging ; upper glume
equalling the floret ; the lower almost wanting.

SMOOTH PANICUM. Smooth Crab Grass.

Calm 6-12 inches long, often closely prostrate. Leaves 1-3 inches in length ; sheaths
smooth, a little pilose at the throat. Spikes 1-3 inches long, seldom more than 3 in
number ; spikelets greenish-purple.

Cultivated grounds and .waste places. Native of Europe. August - September.

Obs. Naturalized in cultivated fields and lots, but not so troublesome
as the preceding. A very slender, smooth species with erect spikes (P.
filiforme, L.) belongs to this section ; it is often abundant in sandy pas-
tures, but it is not very important in any respect.

** Spikelets scattered in large capillary panicles, awnless : neutral floret oj
a single palea.

3. P. capilla're, L. Sheaths very hirsute ; panicle large, capillary,
loose, finally expanding ; spikelets lanceolate, acuminate, on long scabrous
peduncles.

GRASS FAMILY. 403

CAPILLARY OR HAIR-LIKE PANICUM. Old-witch Grass.

Root annual. Culm assurgent or erect, usually 1-2 feet (occasionally only a few inches)
high, sometimes branching. Leaves 3-8 or 10 inches long, lance-linear, rather broad,
acuminate, nerved, hairy ; sheaths sulcate-striate, very hirsute with spreading, whitish
bristly hairs ; ligule short, fringed or beard-like. Panicle large and pyramidal ; branches
numerous, subdivided, very slender, straight, — at first erect, then spreading, finally
divaricate. Spikelets small, often purple. Abortive floret without a superior palea. Per-
fect floret much shorter than the upper glume, lance-oblong, plano-convex, smooth and
shining.

Sandy pastures, cultivated grounds : throughout the United States. Fl. August. Fr.
September.

06s. This worthless species flourishes most in a light sandy soil ; but
it is usually more or less abundant in all Indian Corn-fields, in the latter
part of summer. In autumn the dry culms break off, and the light di-
varicate panicles are rolled over the fields, by the winds, until they accum-
ulate in great quantities along the fences and hedges.

*** Spikelets imbricate-^piked on paniculate branches : lower palea of sterile
Jloret awned or mucronate.

4. P. Crus-gal'li, L. Culms stout, smooth ; spikes alternate ; glumes
ovate, abruptly pointed ; lower palea of sterile flower with an awn of
variable length.

COCK'S-FOOT PANICUM. Barn-yard Grass.

Root annual. Culm 2-5 feet high, rather coarse, smooth. Leaves 9 -15 inches long,
lance-linear, broadish, flat, nerved, serrulate on the margin ; sheaths rather loose, com-
pressed, striate, smooth ; ligule none. Strikes sub-paniculate, — the Spikelets crowded ill
dense spike-form, compound racemes on the branches. Spikelets ovoid, plano-convex,
ochinate, awned or sometimes awnless ; lower glume short, ovate, acute, 3-nerved, — the
upper one as long as the perfect floret, ovate, acuminate, 5-nerved, with bristles on the
nerves. Neutral Jloret with 2 palece, — the lower one ovate, flat, with a scabrous awn or
long acumination, 5-uerved — one of the nerves central, scabrous, the others marginal, in
approximated pairs, presenting a double row of cartilaginous bristles, — the upper palea
ovate, acute, thin and niembranaceous, nearly as long as the perfect floret. Perfect Jloret
plano-convex, acuminate, the palece firm, smooth and shining. Grain compressed, orbicu-
lar, white or ash-colored.

Moist grounds, meadows, drains of barn-yards, &c. : introduced? Fl. August. Fr.
September.

Obs. Kunth gives this as an inhabitant of the four quarters of the
globe ; but I suspect it is a naturalized foreigner. There is a variety in
which the sheaths are hispid, and another in which the floral coverings
are awnless. It is apt to abound along the drains of crude liquid flowing
from barn-yards, — and in spots which are usually designated as " wet
and sour." Though usually regarded as a mere weed, and worthless, yet
we have the authority of Mr. Flint for the remark that " some experi-
ments have been made to cultivate this common species in the place of
millet, to cut for green fodder. It is relished by stock and is very suc-
culent and nutritive." This vast genus (containing upwards of 400 spe-
cies,— a considerable number of which are indigenous, or found in our
country) is remarkable for the little value, or interest, which it possesses
in an agricultural point of view. With the exception of P. miliaceum,
L. — and perhaps one or two other oriental species, which produce a kind

404 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

of Millet — the whole multitudinous group are regarded as little better
than mere weeds ; — though none of them, so far as I know, are particu-
larly obnoxious or difficult to expel by judicious culture. Those here
described, are inserted merely as samples of a numerous and somewhat
variant family.

29. SETA'RIA, Beauv. BRISTLY FOX-TAIL GRASS.

[Latiu, Seta, a bristle ; from the involucre-like bristle of the spikelets.]

Spikelets as in Panicum, awnless, but with the short peduncles produced
beyond them into solitary or clustered bristles resembling awns. Inflo-
rescence a dense spiked panicle or apparently a cylindrical spike. Annuals :
introduced from Europe, and are all naturalized weeds, except the last,
which is occasionally cultivated.

1. S. glau'ca, Beauv. Spike cylindric, tawny yellow ; bristles 6-10
in a cluster, much longer than the spikelets ; paleae of the perfect floret
transversely rugose.

GLAUCOUS SETARIA. Fox-tail Grass.

Root annual. Culm, 2-3 feet high, sometimes branching, often several from the same
root, smooth. Leaves 6 -12 or 15 inches long, somewhat glaucous, lance-linear, keeled,
slightly scabrous, with a few long slender hairs at the base ; sheaths striate, smooth ;
ligule short, fringed or beard-like. Spike 2-4 inches long, rather slender and quite cylin-
drical ; rachis pubescent. Bristles scabrous upwards, becoming tawny or orange-yellow.
Staminate floret sometimes wholly abortive or neutral. Perfect floret plano-convex, — the
palece very firm and traversed by horizontal undulate wrinkles.

Cultivated grounds; stubble fields, &c. : introduced. Native of India and Continental
Europe. Fl. August. Fr. September.

06s. This usually makes its appearance, in abundance, among the
stubble after a wheat crop, — and is often seen in pastures, orchards, &c.,
when not kept down by the promotion of a more valuable growth.
Cattle refuse the herbage, if better can be had ; and the plant is alto-
gether worthless, — except that poultry (especially turkeys) are fond of
stripping the spikes of their seeds, in the latter part of summer.

2. S. vir'idis, Beauv. Spike green, sub-cylindrical or oval-oblong, more
or less compound ; bristles few in a cluster, much longer than the spike-
lets ; palea3 of the perfect floret longitudinally striate, punctate.
GREEN SETARIA. Green Fox-tail. Bottle Grass.

Root annual. Culm 1-2 or 3 feet high, branching near the base, rather slender. Leaves
3-6 or 8 inches long, lance-linear, flat, somewhat scabrous, minutely serrulate on the
margin • sheaths striate, smooth, pilose "on the margin ; ligule fringed or beard-like. Spike
1-3 inches long, somewhat compound or a little enlarged in the middle, often nearly
cylindric ; rachis hirsute with short hairs. Bristles scabrous upwards, green. Sterile
floret usually wholly abortive or neutral, — the upper palea very small. Palece of the per-
fect floret smooth, puncticulate, striate longitudinally, with a slight transverse rugosity
perceptable under a lens.

Cultivated grounds, pastures, &c.: introduced. Native of Southern Europe. Fl. July
-August. Fr. August -September.

Obs. This species is also naturalized to a considerable extent, and is

GRASS FAMILY.

405

274

about as worthless as the preceding, — but is not regarded as a serious

nuisance.

3. S. ITAL'ICA, Beauv. Var. Germanica, Kunth. Spike compound,

FIG. 274. Fox-tail Grass (Setaria glauca).

406 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

ovoid-oblong, yellowish-green ; bristles 4 - 8 in a cluster, about as long
as the spikelets ; paleae of the perfect floret smooth, striately punctate.

ITALIAN SET ARIA. Millet. Bengal Grass.

Root annual. Culm 2 - 4 or 5 feet high. Leaves 6 - 12 and 18 inches long, lance-linear,
rather broad, flat, serrulate on the margin ; sheaths striate, pubescent on the margin ;
ligule beard-like. Spite compound (or rather a densely contracted panicle) ,3-6 inches
long, ovoid-oblong or sub-cylindric ; rachis densely hirsute with long hairs. Bristles some-
times longer than the spikelets, yellowish. Sterile floret wholly abortive, or neutral, — the
upj)erpalea very minute, palece of the perfect floret smooth, minutely striate-piinctate.

Fields ; cultivated as a fallow crop. Native' of Europe and India. Fl. July. Fr. Aug.

Obs. Some years ago, the culture of this plant was introduced into
Pennsylvania, and excited considerable interest, for a time, among the
farmers, — as affording valuable fodder, when the usual hay- crop was
likely to be deficient. It was soon found, however, not to be as valuable
as the usual fallow crop (of Oats or Barley), of which it occupied the
place ; and was, moreover, remarkably liable to damage from rain. The
cultivation, therefore, soon declined. — and is now generally abandoned.
There is another species (S. verticillata, Beauv., — with the spike com-
posed of interrupted verticils of spikelets, and the involucre of retrorsely
scabrous bristles, in pairs.) which is becoming something of a nuisance,
about gardens, in many places ; but it seems scarcely, as yet, entitled to
a more particular notice here.

30. CEN'CHRUS, L. BUR GRASS

[Greek, Kenchros ; the ancient name of Millet.]

Spikelets as in Panicum, awnless, but enclosed (1-5 together) in a glob-
ular bristly or spinose involucre, which becomes coriaceous, forming a
deciduous bur in fruit. Involucres sessile in a terminal spike. Styles
united below.

1. C. tribulpi'des, L. Involucre subglobose, pubescent, spinosely
muricate, split on one side.

TRIBULUS-LIKE CENCHRUS. Bur Grass. Hedge-hog Grass.

Root annual. Culm 1-2 feet long, usually oblique or procumbent, geniculate, branch-
ing, smooth. Leaves 3-6 or 8 inches long, lance-linear, acuminate, slightly scabrous on
the margin ; sheaths loose, smooth ; ligule beard-like. Raceme terminal, of 6-12 or 14
alternate involucrate heads or clusters ; rachis angular, flexuose, slightly scabrous. In-
volucre urceolate or subglobose, laciniate, usually split to the base on one side, hairy,
armed externally with rigid subulate scabrous spines, villous within, embracing 1, 2, or
3 spikelets. Sterile floret mostly staminatc. Sandy fields. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept.

Obs. The plant is very abundant in sandy districts along the coast and
around the great Lakes, — and has found its way to some of the slaty
hills of Pennsylvania. It is altogether a worthless grass ; and the
prickly involucres are a grievous nuisance, wherever it prevails in cul-

GRASS FAMILY. 407

tivated grounds, or about houses. It ought to .be most carefully and
thoroughly extirpated, on its first appearance in any agricultural region.

31. TKIP'SACUM, L. GAMA GRASS.

[Greek, tribo, to rub ; perhaps in allusion to its polished fertile spikes.] '

Spikelets monoecious, in terminal and subterminal jointed spikes which
are solitary, or often digitate in twos or threes, staminate above and
fertile below. STAGNATE SPIKELETS in pairs on each triangular joint,
longer than the joint, collateral, 2-flowered ; glumes coriaceous, the
outer one nerved, the inner one boat-shaped ; palece very thin and mem-
branaceous, awnless ; stamens 3 ; anthers orange-colored, opening by 2
pores at summit. PISTILLATE SPIKELETS single, 2-flowered (the lower
one neutral), deeply imbedded in each oblong joint of the cartilaginous
thickened rachis, and occupying a boat-shaped cavity which is closed by
the polished cartilaginous ovate outer glume ; inner glume much thinner,
boat-shaped ; palece very thin, hyaline and closely packed together.
Style long ; stigmas very long, plumose, dark-purple. Grain ovoid, free.
Perennials with caespitose tall branching culms which are hard, smooth
and solid ; leaves very long, sublinear, acuminate ; spikes separating at
the articulations spontaneously, at maturity.

1, T. dactyloi'des, L. Spikes usually 2-3, aggregated or digitate
sometimes solitary, — the upper half staminate, the lower pistillate.

FINGER-LIKE TRIPSACUM. Gama Grass. Sesame Grass.

Culms 3 or 4 -6 feet high , hard and glabrous, solid with pith, — the internodes broadly
channelled on alternate sides ; nodes smooth, with a dark-brown contracted ring at tho
base of the sheaths. Leaves 1 or 2-4 feet long, and half an inch to an inch or more in
width, lance-linear, keeled, smooth beneath, roughish on the upper surface, serrulate on
the margin, contracted and sparingly pilose at base; sheaths nerved, glabrous ; liguU
very short, ciliate. Spikes 4-6 or 8 inches long, not unfrequently single ; when solitary,
the pistillate portion of the spike is terete, — when in pairs, semi-terete as if split down. —
and when teruate the spikes are somewhat triquetrous. Caryopsis ovoid, smooth,— the
pericarp thin and tender.

Moist meadows, banks of streams, &c. : Middle and Western States. Fl. July. Fr.
September.

Obs. This stout and remarkable Grass is not very common on the
Atlantic slope of our continent ; but it is said to be abundant in the
valley of the Mississippi. Some years ago it was highly extolled, by a
few western correspondents of our Agricultural Journals, as an article
of fodder for stock ; but I have not heard much of it, latterly. The
leaves and young culms may probably answer a good purpose — where
better materials are scarce ; but any one who will examine the coarse
hard steins of the full-grown or mature plant, may soon satisfy himself
that it can never supersede the valuable grasses, or the good hay, now in
use, — nor compete, in any respect, with common Indian-corn fodder.

408

WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

32. ZE'A. L. INDIAN CORN.

[Greek 200, to live ; from the sustenance it affords to animal life.

STAMINATE SPIKELETS in terminal, fascicled, spicate racemes, 2-flowered ;
glumes herbaceous, pubescent ; palece membranaceous, awnless ; stamens

275

277

FIG. 275. Astaminate spikelct, from the tassel of Indian Corn (Zea Mays). 276. The
pistillate spike or ear, with the involucre or husk removed ; the long styles of the nume-
rous crowded spikelets forming the silk. 277. A separate spikelet, showing the fertile and
sterile floret enclosed in the glumes or chaff.

GRASS FAMILY. 409

3 ; anthers linear, erect ; scales 2, collateral, fleshy, glabrous. PISTILLATE
BPIKELETS sessile, 2-flowered (the lower one abortive), in dense continuous
spikes, which terminate short, nodose, axillary branches, — the spikes en-
veloped by sheaths of abortive leaves, called husks ; glumes fleshy-mem-
branaceous, very broad, ciliate, — the lower one emarginately 2-lobed ;
palece fleshy-membranaceous, — the abortive floret with 2 paleae. Ovary
roundish ovoid ; style capillary, very long, exserted from the envelopes
of the spike, pubescent at the summit, and mostly bifid (stigmas?)
Grain usually crowded and then compressed, cuneate or roundish-kidney-
shaped, with a shallow groove on the upper side containing the embryo,
— the base imbedded in the persistent glumes and palese. Annual:
culm stout, solid with pith ; pistillate spikelets in 8- 12 longitudinal rows
on the thick sub-cylindric rachis, the rows always in approximated pairs,
before the spaces are filled by their growth ; spikes (or ears) 1 - 3 or 4
(rarely more — usually 2) on a culm.

1. Z. MAYS, L. Leaves flat, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, with a broad
midrib channelled above.

Indian Corn. Maize.

Culm 4-15 feet high, and about an inch or an inch and a half in diameter, simple (often
producing branches or suckers, at base), nodose, semi -terete, or with a broad shallow
channel, on alternate sides, between the nodes. Leaves 2-3 feet long, and 2-4 inches
wide, pubescent above, smooth beneath ; sheatlis smooth, pubescent along the margins ;
liyules short.
"Cultivated. Native of South America. Fl. July. Jr. September.

Obs. Culture has produced several varieties of this plant, — with the
grains yellow, white, or sometimes dark purple. In the North, it is
much smaller than in the middle and South-western States. There is,
also, a remarkable variety — frequent, I believe, in the South-west — in
which a kind of husk, or involucre, is developed around every grain, or
spikelet, on the receptacle. The Indian Corn is one of the most interest-
ing of the Graminea3, or Grass Family, — rivalling the Sugar Cane and
the Rice, in intrinsic value, and, in the more favorable districts, ranking
next in 'importance to Wheat itself. In a botanical light, the Corn
Plant is an interesting one. The staminate flowers, commonly called
the tassel, are arranged at the summit of the plant where their pollen
may fall upon the pistillate spikes, or ears, below ; these are dense spikes
covered with sheaths of abortive leaves, the husks, which often have their
blade more or less developed. The silk of the ear is the elongated pistils,
one of which proceeds from each ovary or kernel. The cob is the thick
rachis, and the chaff which covers it the glumes and paleae. From the
lower nodes or joints aerial roots are often thrown out, imitating in an
humble way the celebrated Banyan-tree. The juice of the stem, before
the grain is perfected, contains a considerable amount of saccharine
matter, and sugar has been obtained from it. The young ears — especially
in the varieties known as sweet corn — have much sugar, which is changed
into starch as the grain ripens.
18

410 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

33. SACCHA'RUM, L. SUGAR CANE.

[Latinized from the Greek, Sacchar; originally from the Arabic, Soukar, Sugar.]

Spikelets in pairs — one of them pedicellate, the other sessile — each 2-
flowered, with a tuft of long silky hairs at base ; the lower floret neuter,
with a single palea, — the upper one perfect. Glumes 2, nearly equal,
awnless. Palea 3 (counting that of the neutral floret), minute, unequal,
awnless, hyaline. Scales 2, obsoletely 2-3-lobed at apex, sometimes
connate in a tube. Stamens 1-3. Ovary sessile, glabrous ; styles 2,
terminal, elongated; stigmas plumose, — the hairs simple, denticulate.
Grain free? — Gigantic tropical grasses, with large silky panicles.

1. S. OFFICINA'RUM, L. Leaves flat ; panicle large and expanding ;
spikelets racemose on the slender branches ; florets triandrous ; glumes
obsoletely 1-nerved, or keeled, invested with long silky hairs at base.

OFFICINAL SACCHARUM. Sugar Cane.

Fr. Canne a Sucre. Germ. Aechtes Zucker-rohr. Span. Cana de Azucar.

Root perennial (a nodose rhizomd). Culm 8-15 or 20 feet high, and 1-2 inches in di-
ameter, with numerous nodes, and solid with pith. Leaves linear-lanceolate, large (some-
thing resembling those of Indian Corn) . Panicle afoot or more in length, loosely branched,
the branches numerous, filiform, 4-6 inches long, remarkably plumose, or pubescent
with verticils or tufts of long white silky hairs at the base of the racemose spikelets.

Cultivated in Louisiana and other States in the extreme South of the Union. Native of
Asia. Fl. Fr.

Obs. The Sugar Cane is rarely permitted to flower, under cultivation,
being propagated by sections of the culm. The value and importance
of this noble Grass, in the domestic economy and commerce of the
civilized world, are too well known to require comment. Not having
the advantage of an acquaintance with the living plant, and its culture,
my descriptive details and remarks are necessarily very imperfect. Some
interesting notices may be found in " Rees' Cyclopedia," Art. Sugar ;
and in the " Farmer's Encyclopaedia."

34. ANDROPO'GON, L. BEARD GRASS.

[Greek ; literally Marts-beard, — in allusion to the hairy spikets.f ^

Spikelets 2-flowered, in pairs on each joint of the slender rachis, spiked
or racemose ; one of the spikelets pedicellate and sterile, often a mere
rudiment : the other sessile, with the lower floret neutral and of a single
palea, the upper one perfect, of two thin hyaline palece, which are shorter
than the subcoriaceous glumes, the lower awned from the tip. Stamens
1-3. Grain free. Perennials with rigid culms, smooth nodes, and lateral
and terminal, often clustered or digitate spikes ; the rachis hairy or plu-
mose-bearded.

* Spikes solitary at the apex of the culm and branches.
L A. SCOpa'rius, MX. Culm paniculately branched above,— the

GRASS FAMILY. 411

branches somewhat fasciculate, erect, elongated, slender and purplish;
sheaths villous ; spikes on long peduncles ; the sterile ones neuter, awned.

BROOM ANDROPOGON. Indian Grass. Purple Wood-grass.

(Mm 3 -4 feet high, rather slender, smooth, somewhat compressed, sulcate on alter-
nate sides of the internodes : nodes smooth ; branches long, slender ,4ft lateral fascicles, or
sometimes in pairs, often subdivided. Leaves 4-8 or 12 inches long^ lance-linear, acute-
scabrous, a little hairy and somewhat glaucous ; sheaths stri&te, roughish • ligule truncate.
Spikes about 2 inches long ; rachis compressed or plano-convex, pilose at the edges. Spilce-
lets distichously arranged ; abortive spikelet minute, subulate, on a linear plumose pedicel
which is nearly as long as the perfect spikelet, — the floret neuter ; perfect spikelet sessile ;
glumes lance-linear, much acuminated, — the lower one bifid at apex ; palece nearly equal,
ciliate, — the lower ? one deeply bifid, with a twisted awn between the segments.

Old fields, sterile banks, and road-sides, throughout the United States. Fl. August.
Fr. September.

Obs. This, and the other native species, are remarkably worthless
grasses, — and are apt to abound in poor old neglected fields. Where
they prevail, no further evidence is required to demonstrate the unprofit-
able condition of the land, or the miserable management of the occupant.
* * Spikes digitate, at the apex of the culm or branches.

2. A, furca'tus, Muhl. Spikes digitate, generally in threes or fours ;
rachis hairy ; the sterile floret staminate, awnless.
FORKED ANDROPOGON. Finger-spiked Indian Grass.

Culm about 4 feet high, smooth, terete below, semi-terete above, often branching ; nodes
smooth. Leaves 4-*or 12 inches long, lance-linear, nerved, sinoothish, scabrous on the
margin, pilose at base; sheaths striate, smooth ; ligule obtuse, sometimes ovate, fringed.
Spikes 2-3 inches long, usually in threes or fours (sometimes 5-6) frequently purple ;
rojchis semi-terete, pilose on the angles ; abortive spikelet on a clavate, plumose pedicel :
perfect spikelet sessile. Slaty hills, and sterile low grounds. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept.

06s. This is one of the native species which is very worthless, — and
very frequent on poor, neglected, badly managed farms. The species of
Andropogon here given, are the most common and obtrusive ones, in our
poor lands, — at least in Pennsylvania. There are a few others, — par-
ticularly one with the spikes conjugate, in fastigiate bushy panicles (A.
macrourus, MX.), — which is not unfrequent in wet, swampy meadows ;
but, though they are all equally worthless, these are scarcely of sufficient
importance to require further notice in this work. .

35. SOR'GHUM, Per*. BROOM CORN. SORGHUM.

[The ancient name of a cultivated species.]

Spikelets 2-3 together on the branches of a mostly loose and open pan-
icle,— the lateral ones sterile, or often mere rudiments, — the middle (or
terminal) one only fertile. Glumes coriaceous, sometimes awnless. Sta-
mens 3. For the rest as in Andropogon.

* Culms slender, Jistular.

1. S. im'tans, Grau. Leaves lance-linear ; ligule elongated, truncate ;
panicle narrowly oblong ; fertile spikes russet-brown.
NODDING SORGHUM. Wood Grass. Oat-like Indian Grass.

412 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS.

Root perennial. Calm 3-5 feet high, simple, terete, glabrous ; nodes bearded with
white appressed hairs. Leaves 6-18 inches long, lance-linear, rough, serrulate on the
margin ; sheaths nerved, smooth ; ligule elongated, truncate, bordered by a lanceolate
extension of the margins of the sheath. Panicle 6-9 inches in length,— the ultimate
branches or pedicels of the upper spikelets, plumosely hairy. Abortive spikelet pedicellate,
often a mere awn-like plumose rudiment. Glumes of the perfect spikelet lanceolate, indu-
rated, of a light rusjat-brown color, — the lower or outer one hairy, embracing the upper
one, which is smootSInd rather longer. . Palece thin and membranaceous, — the lower ?
one bifid, awned below the division ; awn contorted, bent obliquely.

Sterile old fields : throughout the United States. Fl. August. Fr. September.

2. S. SACCHARA'TUM, Pers. Leaves linear-lanceolate ; ligule short, ciliate ;
panicle with long verticillate branches, loosely expanding.

SUGAR SORGHUM. Broom Corn.

Root annual. Calm 6 - 8 or 9 feet high, and half an inch to an inch in diameter , smooth ;
nodes tumid, with a ring of short appressed hairs at the base of the sheaths. Leaves
about two feet long, and 2-3 inches wide, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, keeled, smooth,
densely pubescent at base adjoining the ligule ; sheaths smooth, ligule short, ciliate. Pani-
cle 1-2 feet long, — the brandies nearly simple, long, flaxuosc, scabrous with short hairs.
Spikelets mostly in pairs, one of which is abortive (the terminal ones in threes, two being
abortive), and these pairs in racemose clusters of threes or fours, near the extremities of
the branches. Upper ? or inner palea of the fertile spikelets with a purplish flexuose awn,
about twice as long as the spikelet.

Gardens and fields : cultivated. Native of India and Arabia. Fl. August. Fr. Oct.

06s. This species is cultivated for the panicles, of which brooms and
brushes are made. It is said that DR. FRANKLIN first introduced Broom
Corn into our country ; he chanced to see a Corn Whisk in the possession
of a lady, and while examining it, as a novelty, he spied ^i grain of it still
attached to the stalk. This he took and planted.

3. S. VULGA'RE, Pers. Panicle erect or somewhat contracted ; glumes
of the fertile panicle pubescent.

COMMON SORGHUM. Indian Millet. Durra.

Annual. Culm 5-9 feet high ; nodes pubescent. Leaves 6-9 inches long. Panicle 6 -
12 inches in length.
Cultivated. Native of India. Fl. August. Fr. October.

4. S. CERNU'UM, Willd. Panicle densely contracted, oval, mostly rigidly
recurved or nodding ; glumes villous, fringed.

DROOPING SORGHUM. Guinea Corn.

Annual. Culm G - 8 feet high; lowzr nodes emitting verticillate radicles. Leaves 12-
18 inches long. Panicle 4-6 inches long ; florets villous, fringed, scarcely awned.
Cultivated. Native of India. Fl. August. Fr. October.

Obs. The genus Sorghum has acquired a considerable importance
within a few years, on account of the introduction of some species or
varieties as a sugar-producing plant, under the names of Chinese Sugar
Cane, Sorghum, Sorgho, Imphee, &c. The true botanical character of
the Sugar Plant does not seem to be settled, — it being referred by some
to S. saccharatum — by others to S. bicolor, — and by some writers it is
spoken of as Holcus saccharatus. It is probably a variety of S. VULGARE,
and was introduced into Pennsylvania forty years ago under the name
of" Chocolate Corn ;" and the seeds were roasted by the farmers' families,

GEASS FAMILY. 413

as a substitute for coffee. The plant is very rich in saccharine matter,
and affords an excellent syrup ; but the sugar is uncrystallizable, and as
yet no process has been discovered by means of which sugar can be pro-
duced from it in any quantity. Those who are interested in this matter
will mid a full account of all that is at present known concerning the
culture of this grass, whether for syrup making or as a food for stock,
in a work called " Sorgho and Imphee," by HENRY S. OLCOTT, published
by A. 0. MOORE, New York.

GLOSSARY

OF THE

PRINCIPAL BOTANICAL TERMS USED IN THIS WORK.

JB®=- The reader will bear in mind, that where compound descriptive terms are em-
ploved in this work, the last member of the compound word is intended to give the
predominant character — and that the word or syllable prefixed, merely indicates a
modification of that character : as, for example,— "ovate-lanceolate " signifies lanceo-
late, ~but inclining someichat to ovate; while "lance-ovate'1'1 means ovate with something
of the lanceolate form, <fec. So of colors : " yellowish-green" "bluish-green," &c. signify
that green is the prevailing hue, — but that it u tinged with a shade of yellow, blue, &c.
Terms indicative of the size of any organ, or portion of plant— as "large," "small," or
"middle-sized" — are, of course, relative, — and have reference to the usual or average
size of such parts, or organs, in other species of the same genus, or family.

A; at the commencement of a word, signi-
fies the absence of some part, as : opeta-
lous, destitute of petals When the word
commences with a vowel on is prefixed.

Abnormal; different from the regular or
usual structure.

Abortion; an imperfect development of
any organ.

Abortive; not arriving at perfection; pro-
ducing no fruit.

Abrupt; not gradual ; sudden.

Abruptly acuminate ; suddenly narrowed
to an acumination.

Abruptly pinnate. See Even-pinnate.

Acaulescent; apparently stemless.

Accessory; additional, or supernumerary.

Accumbent cotyledons ; having the radicle
applied to the cleft, or recurved along
the edges of the cotyledons (represented
by this sign, o=),— as in some Crucife
rous plants.

Acerose; linear and needle-like,— as Juni-
per leaves, <fec.

Achenium. See Akene.

Achlamydeous; applied to flowers that
have no floral envelopes.

A&cular; needle-shaped.

Acotyledonous; destitute of cotyledons, or
seed-leaves.

Acrogenous plants. Plants which grow or
develop from the apex or summit, only,
of the stem.

Acrogens. Apex-growers, or acrogenous
plants ;— which see.

Aculeate; prickly ; armed with prickles.

Achleolate; armed with little prickles.

Acuminate; ending in a produced taper-
ing point.

Acumination. An extended tapering point.

Acute; sharp ; ending in an angle, or point :
not rounded.

Adherent; attached to, or united with an-
other different organ,— as the calyx-tube
to the ovary, &c. See coherent.

Adnate; adhering laterally ; fixed or grow-
ing to.

Adventitious; happening irregularly ; not
produced naturally or usually.

^Equilateral; equal sided; not oblique.

Estivation. The mode in which sepals
and petals are arranged in the flower-
bud, before they expand.

Aftermath. The second growth of the
grasses in the same season, after being
cut off.

Aggregated; crowded, or standing to-
gether on the same receptacle.

Akene (or Achenium). A 1-seeded fruit
with a dry indehiscent pericarp, — often
bony or nut-like.

Alee.. Wings, or membranous expan-
sions.

Alate; winged; having a membranous
border. \

Albumen. A deposit of nutritive mat-
ter, distinct from the Embryo, found
in many seeds, — and sometimes ( as
in the grasses) constituting their chief
bulk.

Albuminous seeds ; furnished with, or con-
taining albumen.

Alternate; not opposite ; placed alternately
on the axis, or receptacle.

Alveolate; having pits, or cells like a honey-
comb.

Ament. A slender spike of naked and
usually separated flowers, with imbricat-
ed scales or bracts.

416

GLOSSARY.

Amorphous; without definite form.

Amplexicaul; embracing or clasping the
stem.

AmphUropous ovule ; when it is half in-
verted and stands across the apex of the
stalk or funiculus.

Amylaceous; starch-like.

Analogue. A body or organ resembling,
substituted for, or equivalent to, another
body or organ.

Anastomosing; applied to branching ves-
sels which inosculate, or unite again, like
net-work.

Andtropous ovule or seed. Turned;
inverted on the funiculus, so that the ori-
fice or apex points towards the placenta.

Ancipital; two-edged; somewhat flatted
with opposite edges.

Andraditm; a term employed to designate
the staminate portion of a flower ; the
stamens or fertilizing organs in the ag
gregate.

Androgynous; having staminate and pistil-
late flowers distinct, but on the same
spike, or plant.

Anglos pernwus ; having the seeds con-
tained in a distinct pericarp or seed-
vessel.

Angulate; having angles, or corners, most-
ly of a determinate number.

Annotinous; applied to leaves, &c., which
are annual, or renewed every year.

Annual; living or enduring but one year.

Annular; in the form of a ring.

Annulate; having a ring, or belt.

Anomalous; not according to rule or sys-
tem ; forming an exception to usual ap-
pearances, or structure.

Anterior; in front, — as that part of a flower
next to the bract, or farthest from the
axis of inflorescence.

Anther. The knob, or capsule, containing
the pollen, — usually supported on a fila-
ment.

Anther'iferoU'ft; bearing Anthers.

Antrorse or antrorsely; pointing forwards,
or upwards.

Apetalous; destitute of petals ; not having
a corolla.

Apex; the summit, upper or outer end.

Aphyllous; destitute of leaves.

Apiculate; tipt with a minute abrupt
point.

Appendiculate; having some appendage
annexed.

Appressed ; pressed to, or lying close
against.

Approximate; growing or situated near
each other.

Aquatic; growing naturally in water, or in
wet places.

Arachnoid; resembliivjr a spider's web.

Arborescent; approaching the size or height
of a tree.

Arcuate; curved, or bent like a bow.

Areola. A small cavity,— as in the base
of some akenes.

Arid; dry, as if destitute of sap.

Arillate; having an arillus.

Arillus. An expansion of the funiculus
or seed stalk, forming a loose (and often
fleshy) coating of the seed.

Ari-ztate; awned; having awns, or bristle-
like processes.

Armed; having thorns or prickles.

Aromatic; having a spicy flavor or fra-
grance.

Articulated; jointed ; connected by joints,
or places of separation.

Articulations. Joints; the places at
which articulated members are sepa-
rable.

Ascending; rising from the ground ob-
liquely.

Assuryent; rising in a curve from a declin-
ed base.

Attenuated; tapering gradually until it be-
comes slender.

Aurlculate; having rounded appendages at
base, like ears.

Awn. A slender bristle-like process, —
common on the chaff of Grasses ; some-
times on anthers, &c.

Aicned; furnished with awns, or bristle-like
appendages.

Awnless; destitute of awns.

Axil. The angle between a leaf and stein,
or branch on the upper side.

Axillary; growing in, or proceeding from,
the axil.

Axis. A central stem, or peduncle ; or, a
real or imaginary central line extending
from the base to the summit.

Saccate; berried, — becoming fleshy or suc-
culent, like a berry.

Bald akenes ; naked at summit; destitute of
pappus or crown.

Banner; the broad upper petal of a papi-
lionaceous flower, — called, also, the
Vexillum.

Barb. A straight process, armed with one
or more teeth pointing backwards.

Basal; originating at, or affixed to, the base
of another organ.

Beak. A terminal process, like a bird's
bill.

Beaked; having, or terminating in, a beak.

Bearded; crested or furnished with par-
allel hairs; the term is applied, also, to
awned wlieat, &c.

Berry. A pulpy valveless fruit, in which
the seeds are imbedded.

Bi, in composition, meaning two or twice ;
as

Bibracteate; having 2 bracts.

Bil>ractfolate; having 2 small bracts,
bractlets, or bracteoles.

Bicarinate; having 2 keels.

Bicuspidate; ending in 2 sharp points or
cusps.

Bidentate; furnished with 2 teeth.

Biennial; living 2 years — in the second of
which the flowers and fruit are produced
— and then dying.

GLOSSARY.

417

Bifdrious; in two series, or opposite rows ;
pointing in two directions.

B'/fid; two-cleft, or split i, to two segments.

Bifoliate; having or producing 2 leaves.

Bifurcate; forked; ending in two equal
branches.

Bi-(ji''bous; having 2 hunches, or gibbous
productions.

Bi-gl.and.ular; having or producing two
glands.

Bi-labiate; having 2 lips.

Bilamellate; having 2 lamellae, or thin
plates.

Bilocular; having 2 cells.

Bipartitile; separable into 2 parts.

Bip< tilit e; two-parted.

Bi pinnate leaf. Twice pinnate ; the com-
mon petiole having opposite branches,
and those branches bearing opposite ar-
ticulated leaflets.

Bipinn&ttijid loaf. The common petiole
bearing opposite pinnatifid segments.

Bi-rostrate; having 2 beaks.

Bi-setose; having 2 bristles.

Bixulcate; having 2 grooves or furrows.

Biternate leaf; twice ternate ; the common
petiole 3-parted. and each division, or
branch, bearing 3 leaflets.

Binalved; having 2 valves.

Biventricose; lia\ing 2 bellied or distended
portions.

Bloom. A fine powdery coating on certain
fruits, &c., as the plum.

Border; the summit or upper spreading
part of a calyx or corolla.

Bowl-shaped; hemispherical and concave,
or hollow, like a bowl.

Brachiale; having the branches spreading,
opposite and decussate.

Bract. A floral leaf ; a modified leaf, from
the axil of which arises the flower-branch,
or peduncle.

Bi'acfrate; furnished with bracts, or modi-
fied leaves among or near the flowers.

Bracteoles, or Bractlets. Small bracts.

Bractless; destitute of bracts.

Branchlets. Small branches, or subdivi-
sions of branches.

Bristles. Stiffish elastic hairs, straight or
hooked.

Bud. A growing point, or undeveloped
axis, covered with the rudiments of
leaves.

Bulb. A kind of bud, formed of fleshy
scales, or coats, and usually under
ground — sometimes in the axis of the
leaves.

BuJl'ife.rous: bearing or producing bulbs.

Butbous; formed of, or like a bulb.

Buttat»}esS\ having lulMe-Uke convexities
on the upper surface, with corresponding
cavities beneath.

Caducous; falling off immediately, or ear-
lier than usual for such organs.
Calc.arate; spurred; having a process like

a horn, or spur,— usually hollow.
Callous; firm and gristle-like.

18*

Callus. A compact gristle-like tubercle, or
substance.

Calyciform; shaped like a calyx.

Calyculate; having an additional (usually
small) outer calyx.

Calyptra. The cap or hood (resembling
the extinguisher of a candle,) on the fruc-
tification of the mosses.

Calym The flower-cup, or outer (and
sometimes the only) covering of a flower,
usually green.

Cainpanulate; in the form of a bell.

Campylotropcus ovule ; or seed. "Where the
ovule curves upon itself, and thus brings
the orifice, or apex, near to the t'uniculus.

Canaliculate; channelled or furrowed.

Candicant ; whitish.

Canescent; hoary ; clothed with a whitish
or grey pubescence.

Capillaceous, or cajrillary; long and fine,
or slender, like a hair.

Capitate; head-form ; growing in a head,
or globular mass.

Cdpsular; resembling, or being, a capsule.

Cttp&ul?. A dry hollow seed vessel, — usu-
ally opening by regular valves and defi-
nite seams.

( 'a/1'* a a ; keel.

Carinale; keeled ; having a ridge on the
bnck, like the keel of a boat.

Carnose; fleshy ; more firm than pulp.

Carpel. A little fruit ; usually a partial pis-
til, or constituent portion of a compound
fruit.

Cdrpophore. A slender central axis, "bear-
ing the carpels,— as in UMBELLIFEIUE.

Cartilaginous; hard, yet somewhat flexible,
like gristle.

Caruncle. A fleshy excrescence, some-
times found at the hilum of seeds.

Carybpsi*. A fruit where the pericarp is
very thin, indehiscent, and closely adher-
ent to the surface of the seed,— as in the
Grasses, Cypcracece, &c. See Utricle.

Catkin ; see Arnent.

Cauda. A tail. Caudate; having a tail, or
tail-like appendage.

Caulescent; having an evident or true stem.

Cautine; belonging to, or growing on, the
main stem.

Cellular; made up of little cells, or cavi-
ties, formed of tnembranaceous sacs.

Cfllular plants. The lower orders of plants
(including the Mosses, and those below
them), composed exclusively of cellular
tissue.

Centrifugal inflorescence ;— where the cen-
tral flower of a cyme precedes the
others,—! e. the flowering commences at
the centre and extends successively to the
circumference.

Centi-'ipetal inflorescence ; where the outer
flowers of a corymb, or urrfbel precede
the inner ones, — i. e. the flowers expand,
in succession, from the circumference to
the centre.

Cephaloid ; head-shaped.

418

GLOSSARY.

Cereal; pertaining to Ceres; belonging to
those farinaceous grains, or seeds, of
Avhich bread is made, — and over which
the goddess Ceres was supposed, by the
ancients, to preside.

Cernuous; nodding; the apex or summit
drooping, or turned downwards.

Cjtspitose; having many stems growing from
the same root, forming a tuft, or tussock.

Chaff. A dry membrane, — usually the
small husks, or seed-covers, of the grass-
es ; also the bracts on the receptacle, of
many compound and other aggregate
flowers.

Chaff if, bearing chaif; also resembling
chaff.

Channels. Longitudinal grooves; the in-
terstices between the ribs on the fruit of
umbelliferous plants.

Channelled; grooved or furrowed.

Character (in Natural History). The fea-
tures of objects, or classes of objects, by
which they are known, and distinguished
from each other.

Chartdceous; a texture resembling that of
paper.

Cicatrice. A scar, — such as that left at the
place of articulation, after the fall of a
leaf, &c.

C'dia. Hairs arranged like eye-lashes, along
the margin of the surface.

Cdiate; fringed, or edged with parallel
hairs like eye-lashes.

CiUate-seri-ate; having serratures resem
bling cilia, or short eye lashes.

Clliol.K ; diminutive of cilia ; hairs like
miniature eyel ashes.

Cinereous; of the color of wood ashes.

Ctrcinat"; with the apex rolled back on
itself, like the young fronds of a fern.

Cit'cumscissed; cut round transversely, or
opening horizontally, like a snuff box

Cirrhose; bearing tendrils, or terminating
in a tendril.

Cirrliu*. A tendril, — which see.

Class. One of the higher or primary divi-
sions of plants, or other natural objects, in
a systematic arrangement.

Clavate; club-shaped ; thicker towards the
summit, or outer end.

ClaveUftte; in the form of a little club,— i.
e. larger at summit.

Claw of a petal. The slender tapering por-
tion at base, or below the middle.

O'eft; split, or divided, less than halfway to
the base : sometimes the division itself is
called a cleft.

Glypeate; in the form of an ancient shield or
buckler.

Co ttaneous flowrers ; appearing at the same
time with the leaves.

Coarctnte; contracted, or crowded into a
narrow compass.

Coccus (plural cocci"). A kind of semi-
baccate indehiscent carpel.

Cochleate; coiled like a snail-shell.

Coherent; united with an organ of the same

kind,— as stamens coherent with each
other, &c. See adherent.

Collateral; placed side by side ; or on the
same side of another organ.

Colored; of any other color than green.

ColumeUa; a little column.

Column. The axis or central pillar of a
capsule ; or the combined filaments, and
style of a Gynandrous or Orchidaceous
plant.

Coma; a terminal tuft of hair, bracts, &c.

Commissure. The line of junction of two
bodies, — as the face of the carpels (or
mericarps), in UMBELLIFER/F.

Common (petiole, peduncle, &c.); belonging
to, or sustaining, several similar subordi-
nate parts.

Comose; having a tuft or topknot of hairs,
bracts, or leaves, at summit or at one end.

Compact; condensed or pressed together.

Complete flower ; having both calyx and
corolla.

Compound; not simple, — but made up of
similar simple parts.

Compound Jimcer. An aggregated cluster,
or head of syngenesious florets, seated on
a common receptacle, and embraced by
an involucre, or many leaved common
calyx.

Compound leaf. Consisting of several leaf-

* lets, or laminte, each articulated with the
common petiole, and ultimately falling
from it.

Compound Pistil. Consisting of 2 or more
carpels, or simple ovaries, cohering to-
gether.

Compound Umbel. An Umbel in which
each primary peduncle, or ray, bears a
small umbel at summit.

Compressed; flatted, as if squeezed or press-
ed.

Concave; presenting a hollow or depressed
surface.

Concentric layers, or circles. Circles of
different sizes, or diameters, with a com-
mon centre.

Concrete: grown together, or united.

Conduplicdte; doubled lengthwise, or fold-
ed together like a sheet of paper, or the
leaves of a book.

Cone. The woody ament of the Pines.

Conic, Conical, or Conoid; having the fig-
ure of a cone.

Confluent; blended, or running together;
forming a junction.

Congener. A plant belonging to the same
genus: nearly related.

Conglomerate; clustered or heaped together.

Conjugate; in pairs ; coupled.

Connate-perfoliate\e&\GS>; their bases unit-
ed round the stem.

Connate; growing together, or cohering.

Connective, or Connectivum. The organ
which connects the two cells of an anther,
—conspicuous in some of the LAHIAT .

Conn'went ; the summits meeting, or bend-
ing towards each other.

GLOSSARY.

419

Constant; invariable ; also never failing, or
wanting.

Contiguous; so near as to seem to touch.

Continuous; without interruption, or artic-
ulation.

Contorted; twisted; or obliquely overlap-
ping.

Contracted; narrowed, or reduced into a
smaller compass.

Contrary dissepiment. Not parallel, but
at right angles, or nearly BO, with the
valves of the pericarp.

Convex; presenting an elevated rounded
surface.

Convolute; rolled into a cylindrical form.

Cordate; heart-shaped, with the sinus or
notch at the base.

Cordate-oblong; oblong, with a cordate
base.

Coriaceous; tough and leather like.

Corm, or Cormus. A fleshy subterraneous
stem, of a round or oval figure, and an
uniform compact texture, as in Arum, or
Indian Turnip.

Corneous; having the consistence or appear-
ance of horn.

Corn'iculate; having little horns or spurs.

Cornute; having appendages like horns.

Corolla. The delicate inner covering of
the flower, between the calyx and sta-
mens, mostly colored,

Coroniform; in the shape of a crown.

Corrugated: contracted into wrinkle.-?.

Cortical; belonging to the bark.

Corticate ; clofheol with bark.

Corymb. A mode of flowering : a kind of
raceme, with the lower peduncles elongat-
ed so as to form a level top.

Corymbose; in the manner of the Corymb.

Corymbulose; having the flowers in little
corymbs.

Costate; ribbed.

Cotyledons. The seed-lobes, or first crude
leaves of a plant,— formed in the seed ;
and sometimes becoming green leaves in
vegetation.

Crateriform; in the form of a cup or bowl,
or hemispherical cup.

Creeping; running along the ground, and
putting forth small roots.

Crenate; notched on the edge, with the seg-
ments rounded, and not inclining towards
either extremity.

Crennlate; very finely crenate.

Created; having an appendage resembling
a cock's comb.

Crisp; curled, or wavy at the edges.

Cristate; crested ; having a crest.

Cross; or cross-breed. A hybrid or mule,
— produced by the mixing of two nearly
allied species.

Crvirdrd; thickly set; standing in close

order.

Ci'oio». A circular series of petaloid ap
pendast'S at the throat of a corolla; also
of chaffy scales at the summit of an
akene.

Crowned; having appendages resembling a
crown.

Cruciate, or cruciform; having 4 petals ar-
ranged in form of a cross.

Crustaceous; having a dry brittle snell.

Cryptogamous plants. Plants which are
destitute of visible genuine flowers.

Cucullate; in the form of a cowl ; the
edges rolled in so as to meet at base, and
spreading above,— like a hood thrown
back.

Culm. Tlie stem of the Grasses, and Cy-
peraceous plants.

Cuneate, or cuneiform,; wedge-shaped;
tapering with straight edges to the base.

Cup tile. The cup-like involucre of tho
acorn, &c.

Cusp. A stiffish tapering sharp point.

Cuspidate; tapering to a straight stiffish
sharp point.

Cuticle. The outer skin, — usually thin and
membranaceous.

Cyathiform; top shaped and hollowed at the
summit like a cup.

Cylindric; long, round and of uniform
diameter.

Cyme. A kind of panicle, depressed near-
ly to the form of an umbel, — with the
principal peduncles rising from the same
centre, but the subdivisions irregular.

Cymose; with the flowers in cymes, or ap-
proaching that form.

Cynndes. The reduced cymes, or cy-
mose clusters, of the LABIATE; some-
times called Verticillasters.

Decandrous; having ten distinct stamens.

Deciduous; falling off at the usual time, or
at the end of the season ; more durable
than Caducous, — which see.

Dedinate, or declined; bent off horizontal-
ly ; or curved downwards.

Decompound; several times compound.

Decumbent; IcMiing upon the ground,
with the base only erect.

Decurrence. A running or extending
down, or backwards.

Decurrent leaf. AVhen the two edges are
continued down the stem, like wings.

Decussate; growing in opposite pairs and
alternately crossing each other.

Definite; clearly defined, or limited; also
of a constant or determinate (and not
large) number.

Deflected; bent off, or downwards.

Dehiscent; gaping or opening naturally by
seams, at maturity.

Deltoid; triangular in the outline, — like the
Greek letter Delta.

Demersf-d; growing or being under water.

Dense; closely arranged; compact.

Dentate; toothed; edged with tooth-like
projections.

Denticulate; having very small teeth.

Depauper-ate; with a starved or stunted
inflorescence ; few-flowered.

Depressed; flatted vertically, or pressed
down at summit.

420

GLOSSARY.

Depressed-globose; globular, with the base

and apex flatted.
J)i, in composition, two.
Diddelphous: having the filaments unite jl

in 2 parcels,— usually 9 and 1, with a

papilionaceous corolla
Didndrous; having 2 stamens.
Diaphanous ; transparent ; permitting light

to pass through.
Dichotomal flower. Situated in the fork

of a dichotomous stem or branch.
Dickolonious; forked ; regularly divided

and subdivided, in two equal branches.
Diclinous; having the stamens and pistils

in distinct flowers, — whether on the same

or different plants.
Dicotyledonous plants. Where the em

bryo has 2 lobes, or cotyledons.
Didymous; twin ; growing in pairs and

more or less united.
Didynamoiis; having 2 long and 2 shorter

stamens, mostly in a bilabiate, ringent, or

personate corolla.
Diffuse; spreading widely in a loose irreg

ular manner.
Digitate leaf. Where a simple petiole

connects several distinct leaflets, Jinger-

like, at its summit, — as in the Horse

Chestnut.
Digynous; having 2 pistils, or 2 distinct

stigmas.

Dilated; made wider ; stretched or ex-
panded.
Dimerous; composed of two parts, — as a

dimerous calyx or corolla, when there are

2 sepals or petals.
Dimidiate; halved, — as if one side, or half

had been cut off.

Dingy; of a dull, soiled, smoky, or leaden-
brown color.
Dixcious ; or Dio'icous, having staminate

and pistillate flowers on distinct plants.
Dixciously, or Dioicousli/ polygamous;

having perfect and imperfect flowers on

different plants.
Dipetalous; having 2 petals.
Discoid flower, or head. A disk of com-
pound flowers, without ray-florets.
Disepaluus; having 2 sepals.
Disk. The surface of the leaf; also the

face, or central part, of a head of com-
pound flowers.

Dissected; cut into segments, or lobes.
Dissepiment. The partition between the

cells of seed-vessels.
Distant; having a larger intervening space

than usual.
D'tftichous; two-rowed; bearing leaves,

flowers, &c. in 2 opposite rows.
Distinct; separate ; not connected with

each other, nor with any contiguous

organ.
Divaricate branches. Spreading so as to

form more than a right angle with the

stem above.
Divergent; spreading widely ; making a

right-angle, or nearly so, with the stem.

Divided; separated, or cleft to the base,—

or to the midrib, if a leaf.
Dorsal; belonging to, or growing on, the

back.
Dorsal suture. The line or seam on the

lack of a carpel, or folded leaf, — being at

the place of the midrib ; the opposite of

ventral suture, — which see.
Dot-sally compressed ; flatted on the back.
Dots. Minute tubercles, or specks.
Dotted; covered with dots, specks, or mi-

nute and slightly elevated points.
Dmcny; clothed with soft fine hairs.
Drooping; inclining downwards, more than

nodding.
Drupaceous; drupe-like, — of a structure

resembling a drupe, or what is usually

called stone-fruit.
Drupe. A fleshy, succulent, or spongy

pericarp, without valves, containing" a

1 or '2 seeded nut, or stone.
Drupel. A little drupe : a constituent por-

tion of a compound berry,— such as that

E, or Ex; in composition ; destitute of; not

furnished with.

Ebrdcteate ; destitute of bracts.
Embracteolate; destitute of bractlets.
Ecaudate; destitute of a cfiuda, or tail.
Ech'inate; hedgehog-like; covered with

prickles.
Elaters. Minute, club-shaped filaments,

which are coiled round the spores of cer-

tain cryptogamous plants,— and by un-

rolling assist in dispersing those spores.
Elliptic, or elliptical; oval; longer than

wide, with the two ends narrowing

equally.
Elongated; exceeding the usual or average

length.
E longating; becoming gradually and final-

ly elongated.
Emarginate; having a notch or sinus at the

end.
Embryo. The young plant in the rudi

mentary state, as it exists in the seed.
Emersed; raised out of water.
Endocarp. That membranous or bony

portion of the pericarp which lines the

cavity, or forms the cells for the seeds

(ex. gr. the stone, or hard shell, in a

Drupe).
Endogenous plants. Those which have a

single cotyledon,— and grow by central

deposites of new matter, distending or

pugning the older deposites outwards.
Endogens. Inside-growers; plants which

increcise by central or internal deposites

of new matter. See Endogenous plants.
Entiedndrous; having 9 stamens.
En&iform; sword-shaped ; two-edged and

tapering from base to apex.
Entire; having a continuous even margin ;

without incision, notch, or tooth.
Envelope. An integument, or covering.
Ephemeral; cliurual ; enduring one day

only

GLOSSARY.

421

Epicarp; tha outer coating of the peri-
carp, or fruit.

Epidermis; the outer skin or cuticle.

Epig Kan; situated, or rising, above ground.

Epigynous; adiiate to the ovary so that
the upper portion is apparently inserted
on its summit, — as sepals, petals, and
more especially stamens ; exemplified in
Umbellifor.e and Araliacer.

Epipetalous; inserted on the petals.

E-IU, (I; similar parts equal among them-
selves,— as calyx-segments, sepals, petals,
stamens, &c.

Epiphytes; air plants having no immediate
connexion with the earth, but growing on
the stem of other plants.

Equitant leaves. When alternate distichous
leaves are infolded lengthwise and towards
each other, the outer ones inclosing or
embracing the inner.

Ei-ect ovules, or seeds. When they arise
from the bottom of the ovary, or base of
the cell, and point upwards.

Eroded, or erose; irregularly notched, as if
gnawed by insects.

Esculent; eatable; fit or safe to be eaten.

Etiolation; the blanching of plants, — or
rendering them white by the exclusion of
light; as practised with Cel?ry, Endive, &c.

Eoanescent; disappearing ; speedily vanish-
ing.

Even pinnate leaf. "With the leaflets all
in pairs or without a terminal odd one;
ofted termed abruptly-f/innate.

Evergreen; continuing green, and persisting
all the year.

Exalbuminous ; destitute of albumen.

Exeentric; deviating from the axis, or
centre.

Exfoliate; to throw off layers or plates, — as
bark, &c.

Exogenous plants. Those which have 2 (or
sometimes more) cotyledons, — and grow
by annual layers of wood (or new matter)
on the outride, between the old wood and
bark.

Exogens; outside growers ; plants which
increase by annual additions to the out-
side. See Exogenous plants.

Expert or exserted; projecting, or protrud-
ing out,— as stamens from the tube of the
corolla.

Exst'i.pulatA; destitute of stipules.

Ejctrorw anthers. Having the cells turned
outwards, or from the pistils, — and the
filament, or connective, extended up the
inner side.

Fa'-cdte; sickle shaped; curved like a
sickle, or scythe.

F>nnil;f of plants. A definite group of
kindred plants, called also an Order, —
sometimes of numerous genera and species
-sometimes comprising but a single genus.

Fan shaped; cuneate below, and spreading
above,— like a lady's fan.

Farinaceous; mealy ; reducible to a meal-
like powder.

Fascicle; a little bundle, or bunch, of
flowers, leaves, &c., originating from
nearly the same point.

Fascicled or Fasciculate ; growing in
bundles, or bunches from the same point.

Fast'tgiate; level-topped ; the summits of
the branches all rising to the same
height.

Fdvose; deeply pitted; somewKat like a
honey-comb.

Feather vtined leaf. Where the lateral
veins (or nerves) diverge regularly from
each ,'ide of the midrib, — like the plu-
mage of a quill.

Ferruginous; of the color of rust of iron ;
reddish-brown.

Fertile; having perfect pistils, and produc-
ing fruit.

Fibrous; composed of fibres, or thread like
processes.

Fide; on the faith, or authority, of.

Filament ; that part of the stamen
(usually thread like) which supports the
anther.

very slender and terete, like a

Filiform;

thread.

Fimbrite •

Fiiitbriatt.

fringes, or fringe-like pro-

fanely divided at the edge,
like a fringe.

FimbrUlate; clothed with fimbrilla (i. e.,
membranaceous, linear or subulate fila-
ments)—as the receptacle of thistles, &c.

Fissure; a slit, crack, or narrow opening.

Fistular, or Fistulou*; hollow and terete,
like a pipe, tubular.

Flabelliform; fan shaped, — which sec.

Flaccid; so limber as to bend by its own
weight.

FlagelUform; long, slender, and pliable, —
like a whip lash.

Flexuose; serpentine, or with a succession
of short alternating curves.

Floccose; orfiocculent; covered with^oefe,
flakes, or little matted bunches of partly
detached tomentum.

Floral; belonging to, or situated near a
flower.

Floral envelopes ; the verticils, or cover-
ings of flowers, — usually known as calyx
and corolla; sometimes as chaff.

Floret; a little flower ; usually one of the
number in compound or aggregated flow-
ers.

Flori-ferous; bearing flowers.

Folidceous, of a leaf-like form and texture ;
resembling a leaf.

Foliole; a leaflet in a compound leaf.

Folicle; a capsular fruit, opening longitu-
dinally by a suture on one side.

Folllcular; resembling, constructed like, or
being, a folicle.

Foramen (plural, foramin -a); a roundish
hole, or opening.

Foreolate; pitted.

Free-, not adhering to each other, nor to any
adjacent organ.

422

GLOSSARY.

frondose; leafy,or with leaf like appendages.

Fructification ; the flower and fruit, with
their parts.

fruit ; the mature ovary or seed-vessel,
and its contents.

Fruteacent; becoming shrubby, or hard and
woody.

Fruticose; shrub-like, or shrubby.

Fruticulose ; like a little shrub.

Fugacious; fleeting ; of short duration.

Fulvous; tawny, fox or tan-colored.

Fungous; of rapid growth and soft tex
ture, like the fungi.

Fun'iculus ; the little cord by which seeds
are attached to the placenta.

Funnel form; tubular below, and expand-
ing above— like a funnel.

Furcate; forked.

Furfurdceous ; scaly, or scurfy, like bran
or dandruff.

Fuscous: greyish brown, or deep brown,
with a tinge of green.

Fusiform; spindle-shaped; terete and ta-
pering to a point.

Galea; a helmet ; the arched upper lip of
a ringent corolla.

Gdleate; helmeted; resembling a casque,
or helmet.

Gamopetalous; having the petals all more
or less united, — forming what is called
(rather incorrectly) a monopetalous co
rolla.

Gamosepalous; having the sepals all more
or less united, — forming a monosepalous
calyx.

Geminate ; in pairs.

Generic; pertaining or relating to a genus

Genlculate; forming an angle at the joints,
like a bent knee.

Genus (plural genera); a group of species
which agree with each other in the struc-
ture or essential characters of the flower
or fruit; sometimes a genus comprises
but a single species.

Germ; the growing part of a bud.

Gemnen; the old name for the ovary.

Germination; the sprouting, or incipient
growth, of a seed.

Gibbous: hunched, or swelled out, on one
or botli sides.

Glabrous; very smooth, without any rough-
ness or pubescence.

Gland ; a small roundish organ, or append-
age, which often secretes a fluid.

Glandular; furnished with glands.

Glandular-hispid, or glandular-pubes-
cent; hairy or pubescent, and the hairs
tipped with glands.

Glaucescent; inclining to, or becoming,
glaucous.

Glaucous; silvery; pale-bluish, or greenish-
white ; covered with a greenish white
mealiness.

Globose, or globular; spherical ; round on
all sides.

Glomerate; densely clustered in small
heaps, or irregular heads.

Glomerules; small dense, roundish clus-
ters.

Glumaceous; chaff like; resembling chaff
or glumes.

Glumes; the bracts, or outer chaff, em-
bracing the spikelets of the grasses (calyx,
of Linn.). See Palea.

Glutinous; viscid ; covered with an adhe-
sive fluid.

Grain ; fruit of the true grasses, sometimes
called a caryopsis.

Gramineous; grass- like; resembling grasses.

Graniferous; bearing a grain, or grains.

Granular; formed of grains or small parti-
cles.

Gymnospermous; having the seeds naked,
— i. e. not inclosed in a pericarp.

Gyndndrmts; having the stamens growing
on, or adhering to, the pistil.

GyniLcium ; a term designating the pistil-
late portion of the flower, or the seed-
bearing organs, collectively.

Gynostegiym; the pistil-cover or tube
formed by the connate filaments, in the
Asclepias family.

Habit of plants. Their general external
appearance and mode of growth, by which
they are recognized at sight.

Habitat, or habitatio; the natural or na-
tive place of growth.

Halved- one sided, — as if one half had been
cut off.

Hastate; shaped like a halbert; lanceolate,
with a divaricate lobe on each side of the
base.

Head; a dense roundish cluster of sessile
flowers.

Heptandrous; having 7 stamens.

Herbaceous; not woody ; of a tender con-
sistence, and usually destructible by frost.

Herbarium ; a collection of dried speci-
mens of plants.

Herbs: plants which are not woody — of a
more tender structure than trees and
shrubs, and usually killed by frost.

Hetfrogamous head's ; heads of Syngerie-
sious flowers, containing florets of differ-
ent structure and sexual character.

Heterophyllous; having leaves of different
forms.

Hexdmerous; consisting of 6 parts.

Ifcxandrous; having 6 stamens of equal
length.

Hilum ; the scar left on a seed, at the point
of attachment to the funumlus.

Hirsute; rough-haired ; clothed with stiffish
hairs.

Hi*l>id: bristly; beset with rigid, spreading,
bristle-like hairs.

Hoary; covered with a white or whitish pu-
bescence.

Homogamous heads. Heads of Syngene-
sious flower?, in which all the florets are
of similar structure and the same sexual
character.

Hooded. See cucullat".

Horizontal ovules. When they project

GLOSSAltY.

423

from the side of the cell, pointing neither
to base nor apex.

Horn; a process or elongation resembling
a horn. See Spur.

Horny; of a texture or consistence like
horn. See corneous.

Zfumus. The mould, or soil, formed by the
decomposition of vegetable matter.

II//aline; transparent, like glass.

Hybrid; a mule ; a cross-breed between
two varieties, or nearly allied species,
partaking of each but different from both.

Ifi/]>o(/tt'an; situated, growing, or remain-
ing, under ground.

Hypogynous; inserted beneath the ovary,
— i. e., on the receptacle, and free from
the surrounding organs.

Icosdndrous; having about 20 stamens,
which are perigynous, — i. e., growing to,
or apparently inserted on the rim of, the
calyx.

Imbricate, or imbricated; the edges lying
closely and regularly over the next series,
— like shingles on a roof, or scales on a
fish.

Imperfect flower ; when either stamens or
pistils are deficient.

Incised; cut or gashed ; separated by inci-
sions.

IncUnate, or inclined; bent over towards
the ground, or some other object.

Included; wholly contained within a tube,
or cavity; the opposite of exserted.

Incomplete flower ; when either Calyx or
Corolla is wanting.

IncriifMtte; thickened upwards, or towards
the summit.

Incumbent; lying upon, against, or across.

Incumbent anther. Attached at or near its
middle, and lying horizontally across the
summit of the filament.

Incumbent cotyledons. Having the radicle
bent over and applied to the back of one
of the cotyledons (represented by this
signo||).

Incurved; bent or curved inwards.

Indefinite; not distinctly limited, or de-
fined ; numerous, and of no constant or
determinate nnmber.

Indeft'iscent; not opening at maturity.

Indigenous ; native ; growing naturally, or
originally in a country.

Ind'U plicate; folded inwards.

In/'lurated; hardened; become hard.

Inferior calyx. Having the ovary above,
and free from the calyx.

Ivjerior ovary. Situated apparently below
the calyx, or rather its segments ; — i. e.,
adnate to the tube of the calyx, and con-
sequently bearing the segments (if any)
at its summit.

Inflated ; distended or swelled like a blown
bladder.

Inflected, or inflexed; bent suddenly in-
wards.

Inflorescence. The disposition or arrange-
ments of flowers and their footstalks on a

plant,— such as Umbel, Panicle, Eaceme
&c.

Innate anther; erect, having its base resting
directly on the apex of the filament .

Inserted ; fixed upon, or growing out of.

Internode. That portion of a culm, or
stem, between the nodes or joints.

Interpetiolar stipules. Situated or origi-
nating between the petioles of opposite
leaves.

Interrupted; having intervals ; or the con-
tinuity broken.

Interruptedly pinrate; having smaller
pinna', or leaflets, between each pair of
larger ones.

Inira-petiolar stipules. Situated within
and above the petioles, — usually sheath-
ing the branch above the axil of the lent';
as in Platanus.

Intror&e anthers. Having the cells tinned
inwards, or towards the pistils, — and the
filament, or connective, extending up the
outer side.

Inversely ; in a contrary position ; end for
end, or upside down.

Involucel. The verticil of leaflets at the
base of an umbellet.

Involi icellate ; having involucels.

Involucrate ; having an involucre.

Involucre. An assemblage of modified
leaves accompanying certain forms of
inflorescence, — usually verticillate at the
base of an Umbel, — or in imbricated
series beneath or around the heads of
aggregated flowers.

Involute; rolled inwards.

Irregular ; the component parts differing
. in size and shape.

Keel. A longitudinal central ridge on the
back of a leaf, sepal. &c., resembling the
keel of a boat: also, the lower pair
of united petals in a papilionaceous
flower. v

Keeled ; having a keel. See Carinate. •

Kernel; the nucleus, or seed contained
in a nut.

Knot ; a node ; a solid, inseparable, and
often swelling joint,— as in the stem of
the grasses, &c.

Lacerate; divided into irregular segments
as if torn.

Laciniate ; jagged ; the margin irregularly
cut into unequal segments.

Lactescent ; milky ; containing a milky or
whitish juice.

Lacunose; pitted, furrowed, or having
little cavities.

Lamellate; divided or dilated into thin
plates.

Lamina.; a thin layer or plate; the ex-
panded or flat portion of a leaf, or petal,
as distinguished from the petiole, or claw.

Lanate; woolly; clothed with wool.

Lanceolate; tapering gradually from near
the base to the apex,— like the head of an
ancient Lance, or Spear.

Lance-lintar, Lance-ovate, &c., linear,

424

GLOSSAKY.

ovate, &c., with something of the lance-
olate form.

Lance ovoid; egg-shaped, with a swelling
base and tapering apex.

Lanuginous ; clothed with a loose wool.

Lateral ; at the side.

Laterally compressed; flatted on the
sides ; the lateral edges pressed towards
each other

Lace ; loose, or limber ; not compact.

Leaflets. Partial leaves; the constituent
leaves of a compound leaf.

Leaf-like (foliaceous); having a texture
and expansion resembling a leaf.

Leafy (toliosus); furnished or abounding
with leaves.

Legume. A Bean,— or fruit formed of a
single carpel of 2 valves, with the seeds
affixed along the upper suture, only.

Leguminous; having the structure of a
Legume ; bearing or producing the fruit
called a Legume, or Bean.

Lenticular; having the form of a lens:
orbicular and compressed, but convex on
both faces.

Ligneous; woody; of a firm woody tex-
ture.

Lignescent; becoming somewhat wood} .

Ligulate, strap-shaped, or ribband-shaped ;
flat and linear.

Ligule; the usually membranous appen-
dage at the base of the leaf, or summit
of the sheath, in the grasses.

Limb; the suinit of a monosepalous calyx ;
or the upper spreading part of a mono-
petalous corolla.

Line; the twelfth part of an inch.

Linear; of an uniform width; long and
narrow with parallel sides.

Linear lanceolate, £c ; partaking of both
forms, but more of the latter.

Lip; the upper or under division of a

^labiate flower; or the lower perianth-

segment of many Orchidaceous flowers.

Lobe: the division, or segment, of a petal,
or leaf: the free portion of a gamopeta-
lous corolla.

Lobate, or lobfd; cut or divided into lobes.

Loculic'idal dehiscence ; when the peri-
carp opens naturally on the back of a
cell (i. e. at the dorsal suture) directly
into the cavity.

Lament ; an indehiscent 2- or several -
seeded legume, contracted between each
seed, and finally separating at the joint-
like contractions.

Lomentaceous legume, or pod ; a pod of
2 or more seeds, with a joint-like con-
traction, or transverse partition, between
the seeds.

Longitudinal; lengthwise; parallel with
the axis, or in a direction from the base
towards the summit or apex.

Lunate or lunulate; having the figure of a
new moon.

Lutfscpnt ; yellowish.

Lyrate: lyre-shaped; pinnatifid, with the

terminal segment largest and mostly
rounded.

Mamillate ; conical, with a rounded apex.

Marcescent; withering and shrivelling on
the stem, instead of falling off.

Margin. The edge or circumference of a
leaf, or other expansion ; also, the thin
wing-like border of certain seeds. &c.

Marginal; belonging to, or situated at, the
margin.

Marginate or margined; having a border
or edging of a texture or color different
from that of the disk ; surrounded by a
wing-like expansion, or narrow mem-
brane.

Medullary rays. Bands or thin plates of
cellular tissue, which pass from the pith
to the bark, in woody stems.

Melliferous; producing or containing honey.

Membranaceoux, or membranous; thin,
flexible, and often slightly translucent.

Mericarp; a name given to the indehis-
cent carpel of the UMHELLIFER.*'.

Mtcropyle; the small foramen, or open-
ing in the proper coats of a seed, to which
the radicle always points.

Midrib. The main central nerve of a leaf,
apparently a continuation of the petiole.

Monadelphous; having the filaments all
united in one set, usually forming a tube.

Monandrous; having a single stamen.

Mono; in composition ; one or single.

Mon'iliform; arranged like, or resembling
the beads of a necklace.

Mo-noclin&us; having the stamens and pis-
tils in the same flower.

Monocotyledonoun plants. Where the em-
bryo has but a single lobe, or cotyledon.

Monograph. A description (usually am-
ple and elaborate) of a single thing, or
class of things, as of a Genus, Tribe, or
Family, &c.

Monogynous\ having but one pistil.

Monoecious, or Monoicous; having stami-
nate and pistillate flowers distinct, but on
the same plant.

Monaeciously or monoicomly polygamous;
having perfect and imperfect flowers on
the same plant.

Monopetalous; having but one petal ; or,
more correctly, the petals united into
one. See gamopetnlous.

Mon aphyllous; consisting of a single leaf.

Monosepalous; consisting of one, sepal, or
rather, several sepals united more or less
completely. See gamosepalow.

Mucfonate; terminated by a mucro, or
small projecting point, usually the pro-
longation of the midrib, in leaves.
"ucronuldte; having a small mucro, or
terminal projecting point.
uttifid; many-cleft; cut into numerous
seginents.

rultiple. A number containing another
number several times without a fraction,
or remainder; as 9 is a multiple of 3.

Multiple fruits. Where there isacoml-i-

GLOSSARY.

425

nation of several flowers into one aggre-
gate mass, as in the Pine-apple, Mulber
ry, ^c.

Mitrieate; armed or covered with short
spreading points, or acute excrescences,
like a JJurex.

Mittic or muticous; awnless or pointless :
the opposite of mucronate.

Jfttktd; destitute of the usual covering, or
appendage,— as a Stem without leaves or
scales, leaves without pubescence, corolla
without a calyx or crown, seeds without
a pericarp, a receptacle without chaff or
hairs, an umbel without au involucre, &c.

Napiform; turnip-shaped.

Natural Order, family, or tribe. An asso-
ciation or group of kindred genera, — or
of plants which are nearly related in their
structure, and most important characters.

Nect ir'tferous; producing honey.

Nectary. That organ, or portion of a flow-
er which secretes honey ; a term formerly
applied to all disguised or modified forms
of petals and stamens.

Nerved; having nerves, or coarse rib-like
fibres.

Nerves. Eib-like fibres (in leaves, Ac.)
which usually extend from the base to,
or towards the apex.

Neutre or neutral flower. Having neither
stamen nor pistil.

Nodding; turning downwards; somewhat
drooping.

Node. The knot, or solid and often turnid
joint of a stem or branch.

Nodose; having numerous nodes or tumid
joints.

Normal; according to rule ; agreeing with
the pattern or type.

Nuciform; nut-like; resembling a nut.

Nucleus. A central body; the seed or
kernel of a nut.

Nucules. Little nuts, or nut-like fruit.

Nut. A hard 1-celled indehiscent fruit,
usually containing a single seed.

Ob; a preposition which inverts the usual
meaning of the word to which it is pre
fixed.

Obcom pressed akenes fin the COMPOSI-
T.-K.) Flattish, with the greatest diam-
eter from right to left,— of with the flat-
ted side to the front, or periphery of the
head.

Obconic; inversely Conical, — i. e.. with the
point or apex downwards.

Obcordate; heart-form, with the sinus at
summit, and the narrowed point at place
of insertion.

OblAnceolate inversely lanceolate, — or with
the widest part above the middle, and ta-
pering gradually to the base.

Oblique; a position between horizontal and
erect; also descriptive of the base of a
leaf, etc., when it is unequal or produced
on one side.

Obloni/; longer than wide, with the sides
parallel, or nearly so.

Obovate; inversely ovate,— or with the
broadest end above.

Obovoid; inversely ovoid.

Obsolete; indistinct, as if worn out.

Obtuse; blunt, or rounded.

Obversely; turned contrary to the usual po-
sition.

Ochrea. A membranous stipular sheath,
embracing the stem like a boot-leg ; as in
Polgonum, etc.

Ochroleucous; yellowish-white, or cream
colored.

Octandrous; having 8 stamens.

Odd-pinnate leaf. Having the leaflets in
opposite pairs, with a terminal odd one ;
often termed impari-pinnate.

Officinal; used in, or belonging to, a shop,
or medical office.

Oleraceous; of the nature or quality of pot-
herbs.

Opaque; not transparent.

Opercular; opening like a lid that is fixed
by a hinge at one side.

Opposite; situated directly against each
other, or at the same height, on contrary
sides of the stem.

Orbicular; circular and flat, like a coin : the
length and breadth equal and the circum-
ference an even circular line : a term appli-
ed to leaves, or flatted bodies. See Terete.

Order. A family or group of allied natural
objects; a subdivision of a Class, embrac-
ing kindred Genera.

Ordinal; belonging to the Orders, or to an
Order.

Ordinal names. The names of the Natural
Orders, or families of plants.

Orthotropous ovule or seed. Straight; not
curved, or turned from its original or
natural direction.

Oval; longer than broad, with the two ends
of equal breadth and curvature, and the
sides curving from end to end.

Ovary. The young seed-vessel, or fruit;
the hollow portion at the base of the pis-
til, containing the ovules, or bodies des-
tined to become seeds.

Ovate; flat, with the outline of a longitudi-
nal section of an Egg ; a somewhat oval
figure, but broader near the base.

Ovate-lanceolate; lanceolate, inclining to
ovate at base.

Ovate-oblong; oblong, with an ovate dilata-
tion near the base.

Ovoid; egg-shaped; terete, and swelling
near the base — *. e., having the outline of
an entire egg.

Ovoid-oblong; the ovoid form lengthened
out.

Ovules. The rudiments of future seeds,
contained in the Ovary, or young fruit.

Palate. The prominence in the lower lip
of a personate corolla.

Palca (plural pal ce). Chaff; a term ap-
plied to the inner, or immediate floral
covering of the Grasses. (Corolla of
Linn). See Glume.".

426

GLOSSARY.

Paleaceotts; chaffy ; of a chaffy texture,—
or furnished with chaff-like scales.

Palmate; hand-shaped; deeply divided,
with the segments nearly equal and
spreading like fingers on the open hand.

Palnuftely veined, or cleft,— having the
veins or segments divergent, like the
spreading fingers of an open hand.

Panduriform; fiddle-shaped ; oblong, with
the sides contracted, like a violin.

Panicle. A loose irregular compound ra-
ceme,— in which the peduncles are un-
equally elongated and variously and ir-
regularly subdivided ; as in Oats, &c.

Panicled, or paniculate; disposed in the
form of a panicle.

Papilionaceous corolla. Butterfly-shaped;
when complete, consisting of 5 petals, —
the upper one (mostly largest) called the
vexiUum. or banner,— -the 2 lateral ones
termed the alae or wings, — the 2 lower
ones more or less cohering by their lower
margins, and from their form, denomina-
ted the keel.

Papillate, or papillose; having the surface
covered with fleshy dots, or points, like
minute teats.

Pappus. The crown of the fruit,— being
the segments, or free portion of an adhe-
rent calyx, in the COMPOSITE, and some
other plants,— usually hairy-like or plu-
mose,— sometimes in the form of minute
chaff or scales.

Parasite. A
sustenance
der, Mistletoe, &c.

Parasitic; being or relating to, a Parasite.

Parenchyma. The soft "spongy cellular
tissue (often green), which forms the
pith of stems, the pulp of leaves and
young fruit, and fills the interstices of
woody or vascular fibres.

Paries (plural, pariete*). The outside
wall, or enclosing shell, which circum-
scribes the cavity of a pericarp.

Parietal; aftixed to, or belonging to, the
paries or outer wall of the seed-cell of a
pericarp.

Parietal placentae. "When the placentae
are borne upon the wall", instead of the
axis, of the ovary or pericarp.

Par-ted; divided deeply, almost to the
base.

Partial; a term applied to eonstituent«por-
tions of a compound whole.

Partition. See Dissepiment.

Patelvform ; in the form of little plates
or dishes.

Pectinate; finely, regularly and deeply
cleft, so as to resemble the teeth of a
comb.

Pedate leaf. Like a bird's foot ; divided
nearly to the petiole in narrow segments,
with the lateral ones diverging.

Pedicel. A partial peduncle ; the ultimate
branch or division (next to the flower, or
fruit), in a compound inflorescence.

L plant growing on, or deriving
from, another plant; as Dod

Pedicellate- having, or being supported
on a pedicel.

Peduncle; a simple flower stem ; also the
common foot stalk of a compound inflo-
resence.

Pedunculate; having a peduncle; not sessile.

Pellucid; transparent; pervious to light.

Pellucid-punctate; having punctures
which permit light to pass through.

Peltate; like a shield; having the footstalk
affixed to the under surface, and not to
the margin.

Pencil-form; resembling a painter's pen-
cil or little brush.

Pendulous; hanging down ; attached at
one end, and swinging loosely.

Pendulous ovules or seeds ; when their di-
rection is downwards.

Penicittate; tipped or tufted with hairs,
like a painter's pencil.

Penni-nerved leaf. Having the lateral
nerves pinnately arranged, or feather-
like. See feather-veined.

Pentagonal; having 5 angles or corners.

Pentagynous; having 5 pistils.

Pentamerous; composed of 5 parts.

Pentdndrous; having 5 stamens.

Pentapetalous; having 5 petals.

Penultimate; next to the last; the one
next to the terminal one.

Pepo; an indehiscent, fleshy or internally
pulpy fruit, usually composed of 3 car-
pels invested by the calyx tube, and with
a firm rind; as the Melon, &c.

Percurrent; extending or running the
whole way through.

Perennial; living more than two years,
and for an indefinite period.

Perfect flower ; having both stamen and
pistil (1 or more of each), and producing
fruit,

Pfrfoliate; having the stem apparently
pierced through the leaf.

Perianth; a term for the envelopes of a
flower, where the calyx and corolla are
not clearly distinguishable.

Pericarp; the seed vessel, or fruit; the
ovary in a mature state.

Perigonium; a name for the envelope of
the flower, — said to be dvul-le when there
is both calyx and corolla, but often used
synonymously with Perianth, which sco.

Pei-igynium; the sac (formed by the union
of 2 bractlets) which encloses the ovary
of the Cariceft.

Per'igynmis petals and stamens. Inserted
on the calyx, — or rather adhering to the
inner surface of the <alyx tube,— and
thus surrounding the pistils.

Periphcrical; fixed or coiled round the
circumference, or periphery.

Perisperm; a deposit in many seeds, affix-
ed to, or surrounding, the embryo — sy-
nonymous with albumen — which see.

Peristome; the circle of teeth or bristle-
like processes which surround the orifice
of the Theca or capsule of the Mosses,

GLOSSARY.

427

Persistent; not falling off; remaining be-
yond the time when similar organs usu-
ally fall off.

Personate corolla. Masked; having the
throat closed by a prominent palate, as in
Linaria.

Petal. The (usually) delicate colored flow-
ci- leaf. In a flower of one petal (or unit-
ed petals), the corolla and petal are the
same ; in a flower of more than one petal
the corolla is the whole and the petals are
the parts.

Petaloid; petal like ; delicate and colored,
or expanded, like a petal.

Petiolar; seated on, or belonging to, the
petiole.

Pttiolate; having, or being supported on, a
petiole; not sessile.

Petiole. The stem or foot-stalk of a leaf.

Petiolulate; having a partial or subdivided
petiole.

Petiolidf. A little or partial petiole ; the
foot stalk of a leaflet.

Phunogamous, or phanerogamous; hav-
ing visible genuine stamens or pistils;
bearing true flowers.

Phyllodiiim. The imitation, analogue, or
substitute of a leaf, — usually the dilated
foliaceous petiole of an abortive com-
pound leaf.

PUoae; hairy; composed of, or clothed
with, distinct straightish hairs.

Finn e. The paired or opposite leaflets of
a pinnate leaf.

Pinnate leaf; having distinct articulated
leaflets in pairs, on opposite sides of a
simple petiole.

Plnnulijid leaf, or frond. Cleft in a pin
nate manner, but the segments united or
confluent at base.

Pitinatijidly; in a pinnatifid manner.

Pinnatiseet; pinnately dissected or divid-
ed,— but the segments not articulated
with the petiole.

Pinnules. The leaflets or subdivisions of
a bi tri- or multi-pinnate leaf, or frond.

Pistil. The central organ of a fertile flower,
— consisting usually of ovary, stj/lfl, and
stigma : sometimes the style is wanting,
— or, in other words, the stigma is ses-
sile.

Pistillate flowers. Those which have
pistils, but not stamens.

Pixtilliferous; bearing pistils.

Pitted; having small shallow depressions.

Placenta (plural, placenta). That part of
a pericarp to which the seeds are attach
ed ; the line, or ridge projecting in the
cavity of the ovary, which bears the
ovules.

Placentitl; pertaining to the placenta.

Placeriiferoun; bearing the placenta.

Plane: flat, and with an even surface.

Pldno-coii'cex; flat on one side and con
vex on the other.

Plicate; plaited ; folded or crimped, like a
fun, or ruitle.

Plumose; feather-like. A pappus is plu-
mose, when each hair has other hairs
arranged on opposite sides of it,— as in
Oirsium.

Pod. A dry seed-vessel, narrow and moro
or less elongated, and usually of 2 valves.
The term is often applied indiscriminately
to both Legumes and Siliques.

Pollen ; the fertilizing powder contained
in the anthers.

Pollen-masses, or Pollinia. The waxy
masses of pollen, in the Asclepias and
Orchis families.

Poly, In composition ; many.

PolyadelpJious; having the filaments unit-
ed in 3 or more parcels.

Polyandrous; having more than ten hypo-
gynous stamens.

Polycotyledonous ; having many seed-
leaves.

Polygamo-diiKcious, or dioicou3 ; having
perfect and imperfect ( or fertile and
sterile) flowers on distinct plants.

Polygamous; having some flowers perfect,
and others either staminate, pistillate, or
neuter.

Polygynmis; Avhen the pistils are nume-
rous or indefinite.

Polymorphous; variable ; assuming, or apt
to assume, many different forms.

Polypetalvus; having many distinct petals,
—or, at least, more than one.

Polysepalous; having many distinct sepals,
— or more than one.

Pome. An apple ; a fleshy fruit formed of
several cartilaginous or bony carpels,
imbedded in pulp and invested by the
tube of the adherent calyx.

Pores; small holes, or tubular openings.

Porous; full of holes, cells, or tubular
openings.

Pra-morse; end-bitten ; ending blunt, as if
bitten off.

Precocious flowers ; appearing before the
leaves.

Prickle. A sharp process arising from the
bark, only, — and not originating in the
wood.

Primary; first in a series in order of time,
or in importance, — opposed to secondary.

Primordial; first in Order; usually ap-
plied to the first genuine leaves, — or
those which are next above the cotyle-
dons or seminal leaves.

Prismatic ; like a prism ; having several
angles and intermediate flat faces.

Process. A protuberance, eminence, or
projecting part.

Procumbent; lying on the ground, with-
out putting forth roots.

Produced; extended, or lengthened out.

Proliferous; producing its like in an un-
usual way, — as lateral bulbs ; or putting
forth a voim.2 and unusual accessory
growth, from the centre of an umbel,
flower, &c.

Prostrate ; lying flat, or close on the ground

428

GLOSSARY.

Pruinose ; covered with n glaucous meali
ness, like a plum.

Pseudo pinnate ; falsely or imperfectly
pinnate, — the leaflets (or rather segments)
not articulated at base : See Pinnatixect.

Puberulent ; covered with a minute, short
and fine pubescence.

Pubescence. A general term for the hairy
covering of plants.

Pubescent; clothed with hairs,— especially
with short weak hairs.

Pulp. A soft, fleshy or juicy mass.

Pulverulent ; dusty ; composed of, or cov-
ered with, a fine powder.

Punctate; appearing as if pricked full of
small holes, or covered with indented
points.

Puncticulat?; having very minute punc-
tures, or indented points.

Pungent; sharp-pointed, prickly at apex ;
also acrid.

Pyramidal; tapering upwards; usually
applied to 4-sided solids which diminish
to the apex.

Pyriform; shaped like a pear; largest at
the upper end.

Quadrangular ; four-angled.

Quadrifarious ; in 4 rows, or directions ;
facing or pointing 4 ways.

tddrifid; 4-cleft.
aternate; 4 together ; arranged in fours.
inate ; 5 together ; arranged in fives.
ce of plants. A fixed and peculiar form
or modification, — produced by the cross-
ing or blending of distinct varieties ; or
sometimes, perhaps, accidental forms
rendered permanent by culture, or other
influences.

Raceme. A mode of flowering, in which
the common peduncle is elongated,
with the flowers on short lateral simple
pedicels.

Racemose; having the flowers in racemes.

Rachis or Rhachis. The common pedun-
cles, or elongated receptacle, on which
florets are collected in a spike ; also the
midrib of a pinnatisect frond.

Rddiate; having rays (i. e. spreading ligu-
late florets) at the circumference; as the
heads of many Composite.

Ra<Hate-vein,ed; where the veins of a leaf
diverge from a common centre, or point,
at the summit of the petiole.

Radiatiform; a term applied to heads of
compound flowers in which all the florets
are ligulate, and directed towards the
circumference.

Radical; belonging to, or growing imme-
diately from, the root.

Radicating; sending out roots, or striking
root at the nodes.

Radicle. A little root ; the slender fibrous
branch of a root.

Rameal; pertaining or belonging to the
branches.

Ramification. The branching or division
of an organ into several parts.

Ramoxe; branching.

Rank. A row, or arrangement in a line.

Raphe. The line, or little ridge, on on«

side of anatropous (i. e., inverted) ovules

and seeds, — formed by the adhesion of a

portion of the fiiniciilus.
Ratoon (Span. Rttono). A sprout from the

root of a plant which has been cut off

(chiefly used in reference to the Sugar-

cane).
Rays. The spreading ligulate florets

round the disk of a compound flower ;

also, the footstalks, and enlarged mar-

ginal flowers, of an umbel.
Receptacle. The apex of the peduncle

(much dilated in the COMPOSITE ), on

which the parts of a flower (or entire

florets) are inserted; the seat of the

fruit, or of seeds and their equivalents.
Recurved; curved backwards.
Reflexed; bent or doubled backwards.
Regular; having the parts uniform and

equal among themselves, — as the lobes or

petals of a corolla.
Remote ; seated or growing at an unusual

distance.

Renijbrm; kidney-shaped.
Repdnd ; having the margin slightly in-

dented with shallow sinuses.
Replicate; folded back on itself.
Replum. A name given to parietal pla-

eentie when separated from the valves;

also, the persistent border of a fallen le-

gume.

Resiipinate; turned upside down.
Reticulate ; netted ; having veins or

nerves crossing each other, or branching

and reuniting, like network.
Retrorse, or retrorsely ; pointing back-

wards or downwards.

Retuse; having a shallow sinus at the end.
Resolute; rolled backwards, or outwards.
Rhizoma. A root-stock, — or root-like sub-

terraneous stein.
Rhombic, or i&fimboid ; rhomb-shaped;

having four sides, with unequal an-

gles.
Ribbed ; having ribs, or longitudinal

parallel ridges.
Ribs. Parallel ridges, or nerves, extending

from the base to, or towards, the apex.
Rigid ; stiff, inflexible, or not pliable,
Ri-ngent; gaping, with an open throat.
Root-stock. See Rhizoma.
Rostrate ; beaked ; having a process re-

sembling the beak of a bird.

; in a rosette; arranged in circular

series, like tb,e petals of a double rose.
Rotate corolla. Wheel-shaped ; monopet-

alous for gamopetalous) and spreading

almost flat, with a very short tube.
Rough; covered with dots, points, or short

hairs, which are harsh to the touch.
Round ; circular, or globular ; not angular.

See globose, orbicular, and terete.
Rudiment. An imperfectly developed

organ.

GLOSSARY.

429

Rufescent ; becoming reddish-brown, or
rust-colored.

Rufous ; reddish-brown, or rust colored.

Rugose ; wrinkled.

Rugulose ; finely wrinkled.

Ruminated; & term applied to a variegated
albumen — i. e., when its substance is
wrinkled or plicate, and the investing
membrane prolonged within the folds.

Riincinate ; resembling the teeth of a
mill-saw ; somewhat pinnatifld, with the
segments acute an<l pointing back
wards.

Runner. A slender shoot, producing roots
and leaves at the end, only, — and at that
point giving rise to another plant : exem-
plified in the Strawberry plants.

Sac. .A membranous bag, or boundary of a
cavity.

Saccate ; having, or being in the form of, a
sac, or pouch.

Sagittate ; arrow-shaped ; notched at base,
with the lobes (and frequently the sinus)
acute.

Salver-form, or salver-sluiped ; tubular,
with the limb abruptly and flatly or hori-
zontally expanded.

Sam&ra. A kind of Akene, or dry indehis
cent pericarp, having a winged apex, or
margin,— as the Maple, Ash, Elm, &c.

Sdmaroid ; winged or margined like a Sa-
mara.

Sdrcocarp. The fleshy portion of a pericarp
(ex. gr. of a Drupe) between the Epi-
carp and the Endocarp,

Sa-fitn-ntofte ; having, or sending forth, or
being in the form of runners.

Scabrous; rough with little points, or hairs.

Scales Small thin plates, or leaf like pro
cesses ; also the leaflets of the involucre,
in the COMPOSITE.

Scandent ; climbing, — usually by means
of tendrils.

Scapr. A peduncle proceeding directly
from the root, and mostly naked.

ScaHouK ; dry and skinny, — generally
transparent.

Scattered ; disposed or distributed thinly,
without any regular order.

Scnrj>'ioi<.l Inflorescence ; rolled back from
the apex icircinate), before development.

Scro/i'n-ttlate. ; having the surface exca-
vated into little pits, or hollows.

ScutMate ; shaped like, or resembling, a
target or shield.

Seam. See Su,i<r/>.

Secund ; one ranked ; all seated on, or
turned to the same side.

S/'ed; the matured ovule, with the Embryo,
or young plant, formed within it.

Segment, The division, or separated por-
tion, of a cleft calyx, leaf, &c.

Semi; half; as semi-livalrefl, half 2-
valved, — semi-terete, half-round, &c.

Strnpermrent ; always green ; living

Sepal. The leaflet, or distinct portion of a
calyx.

Sepaloid : resembling sepals ; green and
not petal like.

SepHcldal dehiscence. "When a compound
pericarp opens by splitting the dissepi-
ments— i. e., the carpels separate from
each other, and open to the seeds by the
ventral suture.

Sept'iferous ; bearing a septum.

Septif agal dehiscence. When the dis-
sepiments remain attached to the axis,
while the valves break away from them.

Septum. The partition which divides the
cells of fruit.

Sericeous ; silky ; covered with soft smooth
.ppressed hairs.
"

AV, •

vision or comprehensive group

of objects in Natural History ; also, a

continued succession of things of the

same Order.
/Serrate ; sawed ; having sharp teeth on

the margin, pointing towards the apex.
Serratures. The teeth, or sharp segments

of a serrate margin.
Serrulate ; finely serrate ; having small

teeth or serratures.

Sessile; sitting clcsely; without any foot-
stalk or pedicel.
Seta (plural Seta). A bristle; a stifBsh

elastic hair.
Set&ceouts; bristle-like; resembling a bristle

in size and figure.
Setose ; bristly ; having the surface covered

with bristles.
Sheath. A membranous expansion which

is tubular, or convolute, and enclosing or

embracing a stem.
Sheathed; enclosed or embraced by a

sheath.
Sheathing ; embracing the stem with a

sheath.

Shining ; glossy smooth and bright.
Shrub. A small woody plant, branching

near the ground, — often without any prin-
cipal stem.
Shrubby ; hard and woody ; of the texture

and size of a shrub.
S'llicle. A little' or short silique, nearly as

wide as long.

Sil'tque. A long slender pod, or membra-
nous seed-vessel of 2 valves, having the

seeds fixed alternately along both sutures.
S'tUquoxe ; having siliques,— or resembling

a silique.
Simple ; undivided ; not branched ; not

compound.
Simple Umbel. When each ray terminates

in a single flower, — instead of a secondary

or partial umbel.
Sinuate ; having sinuses, scallops, or gashes

which are open and rounded at bottom.

Sin nnii -dentate, — S-in note-* rrate; having
teeth, or serratures, with the clefts or
openings rounded at bottom.

through the winter" and retaining its j Sinus. An open notch ; a rounded incision,

verdure. or scallop.

430

GLOSSARY.

Solitary i standing alone; one only in a
place.

Spadix. A sort of dense flowered, fleshy
or club-like Spike, — usually enveloped
by, or proceeding from, a sheathing invo-
lucre called a Spathe.

Span ; a measure of 9 inches.

Spat/iaceous ; having a spathe, or resem-
bling a spathe.

/Spathe. A sheathing kind of bract, com-
mon calyx, or involucre, open on one
side, — often containing the spadix.

Spatkulate, or spdtulate; like a spatula;
obovate-oblong, or larger and rounded at
the end, and tapering to the base.

Species. The lowest permanent division of
natural objects, in a systematic arrange-
ment ; a group comprising all similar
individuals.

Specific; belonging to, or distinguishing
the species.

Sphacelate ; dark colored, as if gangrenous,
or dead.

Sphagnous; full of bog-moss,or Sphagnum.

Spicate ; in the form, or after the manner
of a spike.

Spike. A kind of inflorescence in which
the flowers are sessile on the sides of a
long common peduncle, or rachis.

Spikelet. A little spike,— or subdivision of
a compound spike.

Spindle-shaped ; see fusiform.

Spine. A thorn ; a sharp process originat-
ing in the wood — i. e., pointed abortive
branch.

Spinellose ; armed with minute spines.

Spinescent; becoming thorny, — or inclin-
ing to be thorny.

Spinose ; thorny ; armed with thorns.

Spinulose ; covered with small spines.

Spores, or sporules. The seminal equiva
lents, or analogues of seeds, in crypto-
gamous plants.

Spur. A tapering hollow production of the
base of a petal, or sepal, — usually called
a nectary.

Spurred; having a spur, or spur-like elon-
gations.

Sguamose; scaly; covered more or less
with scales.

Sfuarrose ; jagged ; having spreading tips,
or divaricate points, all round, — as the
scales of some involucres.

Stamen. The organ of a flower which pre-
pares the pollen, — usually consisting of a
filament and anther, and situated be-
tween the corolla and pistils.

Staminate flower. Having stamens, but
not pistils.

Staminifcrous ; bearing or supporting the
stamens.

Staminodia. Imperfect organs occupying
the position of, and resembling sta-
mens,— being the transition stage between
petals and stamens.

Stellate ; like a star ; arranged like the rays
of a star.

Stellular; radiating after the manner of
little stars.

Stellular pubescence. Compound or fascic-
ulate hairs, with the branches spreading
like rays.

Stem. The main axis or body of a plant ;
the common supporter of branches,
leaves, flowers and fruit.

Stemless ; having no visible or aerial stem :
applied to plants where the stem is sup-
pressed, or so short as to be apparently
wanting.

Sterile; barren, or unproductive; applied
to flowers which produce no fruit.

Stigma. The summit of the style, — or that
portion of the pistil through which the
pollen acts.

Stigmatic; belonging, or relating to the
stigma.

Stigmat/ferous, or stigmatose ; bearing, or
belonging to, the stigma.

Stipe. A little pedicel, or footstalk, of
seeds, &c.

Stipellate ; furnished with stipelles, — i. e.,
the stipules of leaflets, in compound
leaves.

Stipelles. The stipular appendages, or little
stipules, of leaflets, in compound leaves.

St'tpitate; having a stipe ; supported on a
little pedicel.

Stipitiform ; resembling a stipe.

Stipular ; belonging or relating to stipules.

Stipulate; furnished with stipules.

Stipules. Leaflets, or leaf-like appendages,
at the base of a petiole, or leaf.

Stoles (i.e. stolones— corruptly stools'). The
shoots, suckers, or oif-sets, from the base
of the stem, or roots of plants : usually
applied to young winter grain, — as wheat.
&c. See Tiller.

Stoloniferous ; having suckers, offsets, or
running shoots (stolones), from the base
of the stem, or crown of the root.

Striae. Fine parallel ridges or lines.

Striate\ marked with longitudinal lines,
or stripes.

Stt'iate-fiulcate ; scored with minute longi-
tudinal grooves and ridges.

Strict ; straight and rigidly upright.

Sl/'igose ; armed with spreading bristly
hairs, which taper from base to apex.

Strobile. The cone, or collective fruit, of
the Pines, Firs, &c.

StropJiiolc. A Uttl' crmcn, or fungous ap-
pendage to the hilum of a seed.

Style. The columnar (usually slender)
portion of the pistil, between the ovary
and the stigma, — sometimes wanting.

Styliferom ; bearing or producing a style,
or styles.

Stylopoclium. Tliofoot or thickened base
of the style (or united styles), at the
junction with the epigynous disk, — as in
UMKELLIFER'F.

Sd7> — a preposition signifying under, or a
dinixion,— as a *SW&-~class, *SV7; -order, &c.:
also employed as a diminutive, or quali-

GLOSSARY.

431

fying term, equivalent to almost, some-
what, or about, — as sub sessile, nearly

sessile, &c.

Suherose ; of a texture resembling cork.
Subulate ; shaped like an awl-blade; linear

or cylindric below, angular and tapering

to a sharp point at summit.
Succulent ; juicy; full of juice.
Sticker. A shoot, or off set, from the root,

or bas • of the stem.
Suffrntescent ; almost shrubby.
Sufi- nticose ; somewhat shrubby ; shrubby

at base.

Sulcate ; furrowed, or grooved.
Super, or supra; a preposition signifying

above or upon, beyond or more than, —

as super-axillary, situated above the

axil.
Super — or Supra-decompound ; more than

decompound; many times subdivided,

or compound.
Superior ; above ; a term applied to the

ovary when it is above the calyx, or free

in the flower ; also to the calyx, when

the tube is adherent to the ovary, and the

segments borne on its summit.
Suppression ; the non-production, or fail-
ure in the development of an organ.
Surculose; bearing suckers, or off-sets.
Suspended ovules, or seeds. When they

are attached to the summit of the ovary,

or pericarp, and hang perpendicularly in

the cavity.
Suture. The line, or seam, formed by the

junction of two margins.
Symmetrical flower. When there is an

equal number of parts in each series, or

verticil.
S.'/ngenesious, having the anthers united, —

as in the COMPOSIT F.
Synonym. Another name for the same

thing.

Tenacious; sticky or adhesive; also hold-
in? on by means of very small hooked

points.
Tendril. A filiform twining branch, or

appendage, by which some plants climb,

or sustain themselves ; in the grape vine,

it is an abortive raceme.
Terete ; round, like a column, — and either

cylindric or tapering; applied to stems,

or stem-like bodies. See orbicular.
Terminal ; situated at, or proceeding from,

the end or summit.
Ternary; arranged in threes; consisting

of three parts, or elements.
Terna-tA ; three-fold; three together,— as

the leaflets of clover, &c.
Tessellated ; resembling mosai •• work ; in

little squares, or checkers, like a chess

board.
Testa. The outer integument, or proper

coat, of a seed.
Tt>tradynamous; having 4 long and 2

short stamens, in a cruciate flower.
Tetrdgonous ; 4 cornered, or having 4

angles.

Tetra/merous ; consisting of 4 parts, or
constituent portions.

Tetrand rous ; having 4 stamens of equal
length.

Thorn. A sharp process from the woody
part of a plant, — being a stunted or abor-
tive branch.

Throat. The orifice or passage into the
tube of a corolla.

Thyrsoid ; resembling, or being in the form
of a Thyrsus.

Thyrsus. A kind of contracted, or dense,
ovoid panicle, — as in the Lilac, Horse-
Chestnut, &c.

Tiller. A sucker, or young shoot of Wheat,
Eye, &c.

Tiller, or tittow ; to put forth suckers, or
new shoots, from the root, or base of
the stem— as Wheat, Ac. See stole, or
stool.

Tissue. Web, or fabric ; the intimate or-
ganic structure, or composition, of bodies ;
especially those which are, or have been,
alive.

Tomentose ; covered with a curled, or mat-
ted, cottony pubescence.

Totnentum. A matted downy or cottony
pubescence.

Toothed. See dentate.

Torose, or torulose ; swelled out in obtuse
ridges.

Tortuous ; bent in different directions.

Torus. The bed, or receptacle at the apex
of a flower stalk, on which are inserted
all the parts of the flower.

Translucent; clear, or transmitting light
faintly.

Transverse, transversely ; across ; cross-
wise ; at right-angles with lengthwise.

TriadMphmis ; having the filaments united
in 3 parcels.

Tridndrous ; having 3 stamens.

Triangular ; having 3 angles, corners, or
points.

Tribes. Groups of kindred plants, in^er-
mediate between Orders and Genera.

Tribrdcteate ; having 3 bracts.

Trichotomous ; three-forked; dividing by
3 equal branches.

Tricoccous ; composed of three separable
indehiscent carpels or (cocci).

Tricuspidate ; having, or terminating in,
3 sharp points.

Trifdrious ; facing, or pointing, in 3 direc-
tions.

Trifid: three cleft ; partially cut or divided
into 3 segments.

Trifoliate ; having 3 leaves ; or the leaves
arranged in threes.

T.-ifdliolate ; 3 leaflets together.

Trigonous ; three cornered.

Trio i/nous ; having 3 pistil ;.

Trilobate ; three lobed.

Trimero-iift ; consisting of 3 parts.

Tripartite ; three parted.

Tri.petalous ; having 3 petals.

Tfip'innaie ; thrice pinnate ; the common

432

GLOSSARY.

petiole 3 times divided, or with bipin-
nate divisions on each side.

Tripinndtifid; pinnately dissected, with the
primary divisions twice pinnatifid.

Triplinerved ; having 8 principal nerves
from the base.

Triquetrous; having 3 angles and 3 flat
sides, as the culms of many CYPKKACE.F.

Trisepalous ; having 3 sepals.

Triternate leaf. When the petiole is twice
divided ternately, and each final branch
bears 3 leaves.

Truncate; having the end blunt, as if
transversely cut off.

Tube; a pipe or hollow cylinder.

Tuber. A solid fleshy knob attached to
roots.

Tubercle. A small excrescence, knob, or
point on a surface, making it rough or
uneven.

Tuberculate; covered with tubercles.

Tuberiferous; bearing or producing tubers.

Tuberous, consisting of, or fleshy and solid
like tubers.

Tubular; having a tube, or constructed
like a tube.

Tuft; a bunch or fascicle growing from the
same root, or originating nearly at the
same point.

Tumid; swelled, or enlarged li'-:e a swell-
ing.

Tunicate; coated ; having concentric coats,
or thin layers.

Turbinate; top shaped; resembling an in-
verted cone.

Turf. The green sward, or grassy sod.

Turgid; swelled, but not inflated.

Turion. A thick, tender young shoot of a
plant, as of Asparagus, Hop, fcc.

Tussock. A dense tuft or bunch formed at
the root, as in some species of Carex,
Grasses, &c.

Twin; two of the same kind connected, or
growing together.

Twining; winding round and ascending
spirally.

Two ranked (or rowed}. See distichous.

Type; a model or form ; a pattern individ-
ual which unites in itself most complete-
ly the characters of a gro p.

Umbel. A kind of inflorescence, in which
the flower stalks proceed from a common
centre, like rays, or the braces of an um-
brella. Umbels are simple, or compound,
which see.

Umbellate; in the form or manner of an
umbel.

Umbellet. A partial umbel ; one of the
subdivisions of a compound umbel:
which see.

Umbelliferous; bearing the flowers in um-
bels.

Umbilicate; navel like; having a central
pit, or depression.

Umbonate; protuberant, having a boss or
elevated point in the centre.

Unarmed; without thorns or prickles.

Uncinate; hook shaped; hooked at the
end.

Undulate; wnvy; curved, or rising and
depressed, like waves.

Unequal; the parts not corresponding in
length, size, form, or duration.

Ungu'iculate; having a slender or narrow
base, like an unguis, or claw.

Uniform, or uniformly; in one form, or
manner ; equally and alike.

Unilateral; on one side ; growing, or in-
serted, all on one Bide of a stem, or com-
mon peduncle.

Unisexual; of one sex — i. e., staminate or
pistillate, only.

Urceolate; pitcher-shaped, or urn-shaped ;
swelling below, and contracted to a neck
above.

Utricle. A little sac, or thin membranace-
ous pericarp, which encloses, but does
not adhere to, the seed. See Caryop-
#is.

Valvate aestivation. "When the sepals or
petals are folded together, and fit by their
edges, without overlapping.

Valves. The several parts of a regularly
dehiscent pericarp, — especially of"a cap-
sule ; also, the scales which close the tube,
in some corollas : and the chaffy pieces
which cover the flowers of the Grasses.

Var. ( Varietas); a variety or modification
of a species.

Varieti/. A new or unusual form, or mod-
ification of a plant, produced by acciden-
tal causes, — such as crossing, soil, climate,
culture, &c. but not permanently, or at
least, not specifically, distinct.

Vascular plants. The higher orders of
plants (including all above the Mosses),
— composed more or less of woody fibres,
and elongated cells or vessels, in the form
of slender tubes.

Vaulted; arched over, like the roof of the
mouth.

Veins; the elongated vessels of leaves ; of-
ten synonymous with nerves.

Veined; having the vessels variously
branching, over the surface.

Venation of a leaf. The distribution of the
veins, or frame-work, in the lamina or
blade.

Ventral; contained in, or belonging to, the
belly.

Ventral suture. The line or seam of a
carpel, or folded leaf, formed by the union
of its margins: the opposite of dorsal.

Ventricose: bellied; swelling out in the
middle, or below it.

Vernation. The mode in which young
leaves are folded and packed in a bud.

Verrucose; warty; covered with wart like
excresences.

Versatile anther. When it is fixed by the
middle on the point of the filament, and
moves round lightly and readily,— as in
the Grasses &c.

Vertical, or vertically; in a perpendicular

GLOSSARY.

433

direction; from the zenith, or highest
point, directly downwards

Vertical leaves. When they stand edge
up, or present their margins— and not
their faces— to the earth and sky; indic-
ative rather of Phyllodia, than of true
leaves.

Verticil; a whorl ; flowers, leaves, or other
organs, arranged in a horizontal ring,
Around a stem, or at its summit.

Verticilldnter. A spurious verticil ; a con-
densed cyme, or cluster resembling a
verticil,— "as in many LABIATE.

Verticillate; growing or arranged in a ver-
ticil, or whorl, or horizontal ring.

Vesiclf*. Little bladder-like vessels.

Vesicular, or veticulose; made of, or re
sembling, little bladders.

Vespertine flowers. Those which expand
in the evening.

Vexillum. The banner, or broad upper
petal of a papilionaceous corolla.

Vtllose, or villous; velvety; clothed with
numerous, and rather long, soft hairs.

Villm (plural, vitti). The velvet like pu-
bescence on a villous plant.

Virescent; inclining to, or becoming, green.

V'irgate; wand like; long, slender, and
straight.

Viridescent; greenish.

Viscid; clammy ; covered with a sticky or
adhesive moisture.

Viscid pubescent; with a clammy pubes-
cence.

Vittx Fillets ; linear receptacles of oily
matter on the carpels of Umbelliferous
plants.

Viviparous; producing a collateral off-
spring by means of bulbs ; or having the
seeds to germinate before they are de-
tached from the parent plant.

Volubile; ascending spirally, or climbing by
embracing another object. See Twining.

Wavy; see undulate.

Whorl; see verticil.

Winged; having a thin, extended margin.

Wings. The side petals of a papilionaceous
corolla ; also, the membranous expansion
at the summit or margin of certain peri-
carps, and on the sides of some petioles.

Woolly; clothed with a long curled or mat-
ted pubescence, resembling wool.

19

ABBREVIATIONS

NAMES OF THE PEINCIPAL AUTHORS QUOTED IN THIS W011K.

Ach. Eric Acharius, Swedish Bo-
tanist.

Adam. Michel Adanson, French.

Agardh. Car. Ad. Agardh, Swedish.

Ait. Wm. & Wm. T. Aiton, English.

All. Car. Allioni, Italian.

A. DC. Alphonse De Candolle, French.

Bartl. Friedr. Gottl. Bartling. Ger-
man.

Bartr. John & Wm. Bartram, Ameri-
can.

Beauv, Palisot de Beauvois, French.

Benth. George Bentham, English.

Bess. Wilib. Besser, German,

Blume. Carl Ludw. Blume, German.

Bronn. Heinr. Geo. Bronn, German.

Brot. Felix Avellar Brotero, Portu-

Carey, John, English.

C. A. Mey, Carl Amt. Meyer, German.

Cass. Alex. Hen. Garb, de Cassini.
Italian.

Cliav. M Chavannes, French.

Chois. Jaq. Denis Choisy, French.

Golden, Cadwallader, American.

Correa. Abbe* Correa de Serra. Por-
tuguese.

Crantz. Heinr. Joh. Nepom. Crantz,
German.

DO. Aug. Pyramus De Candolle.
French.

DC. (Alph.) Alphonse De Candolle,
French.

Decaisne, Joseph, French.

(434)

Desf. Eene L. Desfontaines, French.
De Theis. Alex, de Theis, French.
Dillen. Joh. Jac. Dillenius, German.
Don. David & Geo. Don, English.
Duby. Jean Etienne Duby, French.
Duham. Hen. L. Duhamel, French.
Dunal. Michel Felix Dunal, French.
Elirh. Friedrich Ehrhart, German.
Ell. Stephen Elliott, American. '
Endl. Steph Endlicher, Hungarian.
Engclmann, George, American.
Pl: Cestr. Flora Cestrica: By Wm.

Darlington, 1 vol. 12mo, 1853.
Forst. George (John, &c.) Forster,

English.

Fries. Elias Fries, German
Gaertn. Jos. & Carl Friedr. Gaertner,

German.

Gaudich. M. Ch. Gaudichaud, French..
Glox. Benj. Petr. Gloxin, German.
Gooden. Saml. Goodenough, English.
Gray, Asa, American.
11. B. K. Humboldt, Bonpland, and

Kunth.
Hall, or Hdlcr. Albert von Haller.

Dutch.
Hoffm. Geo, Fr. (et al.) Hoffmann,

German.
Hoffmsg. J. C. Count Hoffmannsegg,

German.

Hook. Sir Wm. J. Hooker, English.
Ifuds. Wm. Hudson, English.
Jacq. Nich. Joseph Jacquin, German.
Juss. Ant. Laur. de Jussieu Frencli.

ABBREVIATION.

435

K<.dm. Pehr, Swedish.

Koch. Wilh. Dan. Jos. Koch, German.

Kunth. Car. Sigism. Kunth, German.

L Car. Linnaeus, Swedish.

Lam. J. Bapt. Monet de la Marck,
French.

Lamb. A. B. Lambert. English.

Less. Chr. Fr. Leasing, German.

Lestib. Fr. Jos. Lestiboudois, Bel-
gian.

Lindl. John Lindley, English.

Link. Heinr. Friedr. Link, German.

Loddig. Conrad Loddiges, English.

Marsh. Humphry Marshall, Amer-
ican.

Mart. Carl Friedr. Phil, von Martius.
German.

Medik. Fried. Casim. Medikus, Ger-
man.

Hey. (C. A.} Carl. Ant. Meyer, Ger-
man.

Mich. Pet. Ant Micheli, Italian.

Mitt. Philip Miller, English.

Mirb. C. F. Brisseau-Mirbel, French.

Moench. Conrad Moench, German.

Moris. Guiseppe Giacento, Italian.

Muhl. Henry Muhlenberg, Amer-
ican.

MX. Andr. Michaux, French.

Neck. Natal. Jos. de Necker, French.

Nees. Chr. Gottfr. Nees von Esen-
beck, German.

Null. Thomas Nuttall, Anglo-Amer-
ican.

Pers. Chr. Henri Persoon, Dutch ?

Pold. Hans Friederich, German.

Pair. J. L. Marie Poiret, French.

Pursh. Fredk. Pursh.

Pre-tl. Carl Boriwog Presl, Hunga-
rian.

R(tf. orRafm. C. Rafinesque- Schmaltz,
Sicilian.

R. Br. Robert Brown, English.

Rich. Louis Claude Richard, French.

Risso. A Risso, French ?

Roxb. Win Roxburgh, English.
Rumph. Geo. Everh. Rumphius,

Dutch.

Salisb. Richd. Anth. Salisbury, Eng-
lish.

Sain. Gaatano. Savi, Italian.
Schott. Heinrich Schott. German
Schrad. Heinr. Adolph. Schrader,

German.
Shreb. Joh. Chr. Dan. von Schreber,

German.

Shum. Chr. Fr. Schumacher, Ger-
man.

Scop. Joh. Ant. Scopoli, Italian.
Ser. Nich. Charles Seringe, Swiss?
Sieb. &c Zucc. Siebold and Zuccarim,

Dutch?

Smith. Sir James Edward, English.
Sibth. Joh. Sibthorp, English.
Soland. Dan. Conr. Solander, Swed-
ish.

Sprenff. Kurt Sprengel, German.
Sw. Olaus Swartz, Swedish.
Theis (De). Alexandra de Theis,

French.

Tode. Heinr. Jul. Tode, German.
Torr. 8f Gr. Jno. Torrey & Asa Gray,
- American.
Tournef. Jos. Pitton de Tournefort,

French.

Trin. Car. Bern. Trinius, German.
Vahl. Martin Vahl, Danish.
Vaitt. Sebastian Vaillant, French.
Vent. Etienne Pierre Ventenat,

French.

VilL D. Villars, French.
Valt. Thomas Walter, Anglo -Amer-
ican.
Wangenh. Fr. Ad. Jul. Wangen-

heim, German.
Weih. Aug. Weihe, German.
Willd. Carl Ludw. Willdenow, Ger-
man.
With. Win. Withering, English.

INDEX

NATURAL ORDERS, GENERA AND SPECIES

OF THE PLANTS DESCRIBED OE KEFEBEED TO IN THIS WOBK.

PAGE.

PAGE.

ABELMOSCHUS,

66 JSGOPODI0M,

151 AMYGDAUTS,

esculentus,

66 Podograria,

151 communis,

ABIES,

337 JEscuLus,

88 APIUM,

alba,

338 Hippocastanum

88 graveolens,

balsamea,

337 Pa via,

88 AQUIFOLIACKS,

, Canadensis,

337 ,<ETHUSA,

151 ARACRS,

excelsa,

338 Cynapium,

151 ARACHIS,

Frascri,

337 AGROSTEMMA,

56 hypogsea,

nigra,

338 Githago,

56 ARAUACE^E,

ABUTILON,

65 AGROSXIS,

373 ARAI.IA ,

AvicennaB,

65 vulgaris,

373 nudicaulis,

ANACARDIACE^E,

77 AILANTHUS,

76 quinquefolia

ANDROMEDA,

213 gland ulosa,

76 racemosa,

Mariana,

213 AUSMACSLE,

347 spinosa,

ANDROPOGON,

410 ALLIUM,

354 ARCHEMORA,

furcatus,

411 Canadense.

355 rigida,

macrourus,

411 Cepa,

355 ARCTOSTAPHYLOS,

scoparius,

410 Porrum,

356 Uva.ursi,

ANONACE.S,

36 sativum,

355 ARGEMONE,

ANTHEMIS,

185 Schcenoprasum,

357 Mexicana,

arvensis,

187 vineale,

355 ARISuEMA,

nobilis,

185 ALNUS,

327 triphyllum,

ANTHOXANTH0M,

398 incana,

328 ARISTOLOCHIACEjE,

odoratum,

398 serrulata,

327 ARISTOLOCHIA,

ACERAO&&:,

89 ALOPECURCS.

370 Serpentaria,

ACER,

89 pratensis,

372 Sipho,

dasycarpum,

90 ALTH^A,

63 ARMENIACA,

nigrum,

90 offlcinalis,

63 dasycarpa,

platauoides,

90 rosea,

64 vulgaris,

Pseudo-platanus,

89 AMARANTACEJZ,

275 ARMORACIA,

rubrum,

91 AMARANTUS,

275 rusticana,

saccharinum,

90 albus,

278 ARRHENTATHERUM,

ACIIILLEA,

187 chlorostachys,

275 avenaceum,

millefolium,

187 hybridus,

275 ARTEMISIA,

Ptarmica,

187 retroflexus,

275 Abrotanum,

ACONTTtTM,

33 spinosus,

277 Absinthium,

Napellus,

33 AMBROSIA,

176 Dracnnculus,

ACORUS,

346 artemisisefolia,

176 ARUNDINARIA,

Calamus,

346 triflda,

176 macrosperma,

AcnXOMERIS,

182 AMPELOPSIS,

84 ASARUM,

suarrosa,

182 quinquefolia,

84 Canadeuso,

(436)

PAGE.
113

150
150
216
344
103
104
155
155
156
156
155
156
148
149
211
211
40
41
344
345
268
268
268
268
114
115
114
48
48
396
396
190
191
190
190
388
388
269
2G9

IXDEX.

437

ASCLEPIADACE^E,

PAGE.
261

CAIYCANTHUS,

PAGE.

135

Virginlca,

PAGE.
266

ASCLEPIAS,

261

floridus,

135

ClCER,

103

Cornuti ,

261

glaucus,

135

arietinum,

103

tuberosa,

263

laevigatus,

135

CICHORIUM,

200

ASIMIXA,

36

CAMELIXA,

49

Endivia,

• 202

triloba,

36

sativa,

49

Intybus,

200

ASPARAGUS,

351

CAXNABIS,

299

CICUTA,

152

officinalis,

352

sativa,

299

maculata,

152

ASTER,

171

CAPRIFOLIACE^:,

160

CIXICIFUGA,

33

ericoides,

172

CAPSELLA,

50

racemosa,

34

AVEXA ,

393

Bursa-pastoris,

50

ClRSIUM,

195

nuda,

395

CAPSICUM,

255

altissimum,

199

sativa,

394

annuum,

255

arvense,

197

AZALEA ,

214

CAREX,

361

discolor,

196

nudiflora,

214

stricta,

363

horridulum,

197

tentaculata,

362

lanceolatum,

195

BAPTISTA ,
australis,
tinctoria,
BARBAREA,

107

108
108
43

vulpinoidea,
CARUM,
Carui,
CARPIXUS.
Americana,

362
150
150
322
322

muticum,
pumilum,
CITRULLUS,
vulgaris,
CLETHRA,

199
196
140
140
216

prsecox,
vulgaris,
BATATAS,
edulis

43
44

247
247

CARYA ,
alba,
amara,

304
304
306

acuminata,
alni folia,

CNIDOSCOLUS,

215
215
289

BEXZOIX,
odoriferum,
BERBERIDACEJE,
BKRBERIS,
Canadensis,
vulgaris,

2S6
286
36
37
37
37

glabra,
microcarpa,
olivzeformis,
sulcata,
tomentosa,
CARYOPHYLLACFLE,
CASSIA,

306
306
304
305
305
56
109

stimulosa,
COMPOSITE,
COMPTOXIA,
asplenifolia,

COXIFER^E,
COXIUM,

maculatum,

289
167
324
324
333
153
153

BETA,
vulgaris,
BETULACR/E,
BETULA,
alba,

272
272
324
324
325
09*7

Chamsecrista,
occidentalis,
Mar i land ica,
CASTAXEA,
pumila,

110
110
109
318
319

CONVOLVULUS,
arvensis,
Coras,
trifolia,

246
237
247
30
31

exceisa,

0*1

vesca,

318

CORIANDRUM,

153

nia,

OZi

CATALPA,

221

sativum,

155

nigra,
papyracea,

BlDENS,

bipinnata,
chrysanthemoides,

326
325
183
184
183

1 oo

bignonioidcs,
CELASTRACKE,
CELASTRUS,
scandens,
CELTIS,

222
86
86
86
203

CORXACE^E,
CORNUS,

florida,
CORYI.US,
Americana,

157

157
158
320
322

BIGXOXIACE^E,

BIITUM,

capitatuni,
BORRAGIXACE/E,

loo

220
274
274
241

crassifolia,
occidentalis,
pumila,
CEXCHRUS,
tribuloides,

294
293

294
406
406

Avellana,
rostrata,
CRAT^EGUS,
cordata,
Crus-galli,

320
322
131
131
131

campestris,
olcracea,
BROMKUACE.E,

46
44
349

CE.VTAUREA ,
Calcitrapa,
Cyanus,
nigra,

193
194
194
194

oxyacantha,
CRUCIFER^E,
CUCUMIS,
Anguria,

131

42
138
140

mollis,

387

CERASTITJM,
viscosum,

59
59

melo,
sativus,

139
139

racemosus,
secalinus,
BROUSSOXETIA,
papyrifera,
BRUXELLA,

387
386
296
296
237

vulgatum,
CERCLS,
Canadensis,

ClIELmOXIUM,

59
108
108
41

CuCURBITACKffl,
CUCURBITA,

Melopepo,
Pepo,

138
142
142
142

vulgaris,

238

QSSIOPODUCKX,

41
270

verrucosa,
CCPRESSUS,

143
340

ClIKXOPODIUM,

271

thyoidep ,

340

CALAMAGROSTIS,

STfi

album,

271

CUPULIFf^R^E

307

arenaria,

376

ambrosioiiies,

272

CUSCUTA,

249

Canadensis,

376

hybridum,

271

Gronovii,

250

CALTHA,

30

CHIMAPHILA,

215

epilinum,

249

palustris,

30

umbellata,

215

CYDOXIA,

134

CALYCAXTHACK<£,

135

CHIO.VAXTHUS,

2C6

vulgaris,

134

438

IXDEX.

- Japonica,

PAGE.

135 FABA,

PAGE.

150 lanatum,

PAGE.
148

CYNARA,

194

vulgar is,

105

HEUCHERA,

• 144

Cardunculus,

195

FAGOPYRUM,

283

Americana,

144

Scolymus,

195

esculentum,

283

HIBISCUS,

67

CYNODOJJ,

377

FAGUS,

319

Syriacus,

67

Dactylon,

377

ferruginea,

319

Trionum,

67

CYNOGLOSSUM,

245

FEDIA ,

166

HOLCUS,

396

Morisoni,

245

olitoria,

166

lanatus,

396

offlcinale,

245

FESTUCA ,

385

HORDEUM,

392

CYPERACE^E,

358

elatior,

385

distichum,

393

CYPERUS,

359

Ficus,

294

vulgare,

393

phymatodes,

359

Carica,

294

HUMUI.US,

299

rotundus,

360

F(ESICULUM,

149

Lupulus,

300

strigosus,

359

vulgare,

149

HYOSCYAMUS,

•257

FRAGARIA ,

123

niger,

258

DACTYLIS,
glomerata
DATURA,
Stramonium,
DAUCUS,
Car ota,
DELPHINIUM,

379
379
258
258
146
146
31

vesca,
Virgiuiana,
FRAXIXUS,
Americana,
pubescens,
sambucifolia,
viridis,

123
125
266
266
267
267
267

HYPERICACE^E,
HYPERICUM,
perforatum,
HYSSOPUS,
xofflcinalis,

ILEX,

Cassine,

54
54
54

235

235

216
217

Ajacis,
Consolida,
elatum,
DIGITALIS,

32
31
32

226

GAULTHERIA,
procumbens
GAYLUSSACIA,
dumosa,

212
212
208
209

glabra,
Isevigata,
opaca,
verticillata,

217
217
216

217

purpurea,
DIOSPYROS,
Virginiana,
DIPSACE^E,
DIPSACUS,
Fullonum,
sylvestris,

226
217
218
167
167
167
167

frondosa,
resinosa,
GENISTA,
tinctoria,
GENTIANACE.*,
GERANIACK<E,
GERANIUK,

208
208
96
96
260

INDIGOFERA,

Anil,
tinctoria,
INULA,
Helenium,

IPOMffiA ,

Nil,

102
103
102
175
176
249
249

Carolinian um,

71

purpurea,

249

EBENACTLE,

217

maculatum,

71

ECHLVOSPERMUM,

244

pusillum ,

71

JUGLANDACE^;,

302

Lappula,

244

GEUM,

..20

JUGLANS,

302

ECHIUM,

241

rivale,

120

cinerea,

303

vulgare,

242

GLEDITSCHIA,

111

nigra,

303

ELEUSINE,

378

triacanthos,

111

regia,

302

Indica,

278

GLYCERIA,

JUNCACE.*:,

358

EXSLENIA,

262

fluitans,

381

JuNcrs,

358

albida,

263

GOSSYPIUM,

67

bufbnius,

358

ERECHTHITES,

191

herbaceum.

67

bulbosus,

358

hieracifolia,

192

GRAMINE^E

365

efi'usus,

358

ERICACEAE,

207

GROSSULACE^,

136

JUNIPERUS,

342

ERIGERON,

172

GYMNOCLADUS,

110

communis,

342

annuum,

174

Canadensis,

111

Virginiana,

342

Canadense,

173

strigosum ,
EBODIUM,

174

71

HAMAMELACE^;,
HAMAMKIJS, <

144
144

KALMIA ,

angustifolia,

213
214

cicutarium,

71

Virginica,

144

latifolia,

214

ERVUM,

105

HEDEOMA,

232

Lens,

105

pulegioides,

232

LABIATyE,

228

EUONYMUS,

87

HEDERA,

LACTUCA,

205

atropurpureus,

87

Helix,

157

elongata,

205

EUPATORIUM,

170

HELIANTHUS,

181

Scariola,

205

perfoliatum,

170

annuus,

181

LAGENARIA,

138

purpureum,

171

tuberosus,

181

vulgar is,

138

EUPHORBIACE^,

287

HEMEROCAI.LIS,

352

LAMIUM,

239

EUPHORBIA,

287

flava,

352

amplexicaulo,

239

Esula,

289

fulva,

352

I^APORTEA ,

299

hypericifolia,
Ipecacuanha},

288
288

HBPATICA ,
acutiloba,

26

26

Cauadensis,
LAPPA,

299

200

Lathyrus,

289

triloba,

26

major.

200

maculata,

288

HERACLEUM,

148 LARIX,

338

INDEX.

439

Americana,

PAGE.

339 MALVA,

PAGE.

64 Europsea,

PAGE.

266

Cedrus,

339

crispa,

65

OXAGRACE^E,

135

Europeea,

339

rotundifolia,

64

ORIGAXUM,

236

LAURACE.E,

285

sylvestris,

65

Marjorana,

236

LAVAXDULA,

230

MARTYXIA,

222

ORXITHOGALUM,

352

vera,

230

proboscidea,

222

umbellatum,

353

LEERSIA,

369

MARRUBIUM,

238

ORYZA,

369

oryzoides,

369

vulgare,

238

sativa,

369

LEGOIIXOS.S,

93

MARUTA,

185

OSTRYA,

396

IJ<:O.\TODOX,

202

Cotula,

185

Virginica

323

autumnale,

202

MEDICAGO,

99

OXALIDACELE,

72

LEOXURUS,

240

lupulina,

100

OXALIS,

72

Cardiaca,

240

sativa,

99

stricta,

73

LEITCA XTHEMUM ,

188

MELIACE^S,

69

vulgare,

189

MELIA,

69

LJGUSTRUM,

265

Azedarach,

69

PAXICCM,

401

vulgare
LILIACE^E,

265
851

MELILOTUS,
alba,

99
99

capillare,
Crus-galli,

402
403

IJLIUM,

357

offlcinalis,

99

glabrum,

402

album,

357

MELISSA,

237

sanguinale,

402

bulbiferum,

357

offlcinalis,

237

PAPAVERACE^B,

40

Canadense,

357

MEXTHA,

230

PAPAVER,

40

lancifolium,

357

arvensis,

231

dubuim,

40

superbum,

357

Canadensis,

231

somniferum,

40

LlXACE.'E,

70

piperita,

231

PASPALUM,

401

ifimx,

70

viridis,

231

setaceum,

401

usitatissimum,

70

MOLLUGO,

59

PASTINACA,

147

LJXARIA,

225

verticillata,

59

sativa,

147

vulgaris,

225

MOXARDA,

232

PATTLOWNIA,

226

LlQl'IDAMBAR,

145

diclyma,

232

imperialis,

226

styraciflua,

145

punctata,

233

PERSICA,

112

LlKl:tl>KNDROX,

35

MOMORDICA,

141

laevis,

118

Tulipifera,

35

balsamina,

141

vulgaris,

113

LlTHOSPERMUM,

243

MORUS,

294

PETROSELINUM,

152

arvense,

243

alba,

295

sativum,

152

LOBELIACEJE,

206

multicaulis,

296

PHALARJS,

398

LOBELIA,

206

nigra,

296

arundinacea,

400

cardinalis,

207

rubra,

295

Canariensis,

401

inflata,

206

MUHLEXBERGIA,

375

PHASEOLUS,

107

LOLICM,

388

ditfusa,

375

lunatus,

107

perenue,

389

Mexican a,

375

nanus,

107

LOXICERA,

160

MYRICACEUB,

323

vulgaris,

107

Capritblium,

160

MYRICA,

323

PHLEUM,

872

grata,

160

cerifera.

324

pratense,

372

Periclymenum,

160

Gale,

324

PHORADEXDROX,

287

sempervirens,

161

flavescens,

287

LORAXTHACE^E,

286

NASTURTIUM,

43

PHRAGMITES,

387

LYCIUM,

256

offlcinale,

43

communis,

387

Barbarum,

256

NEGUXDO,

92

PHYSALIS,

256

LYCOPERSICUM,

250

aceroides,

92

Alkekengi,

256

cerasiforme,

251

NEPETA,

234

viscosa,

256

esculentum,

250

Cataria,

234

PHYTOLACCACEJ3,

270

Glechoma,

234

PHYTOLACCA,

270

MADURA,

297

NlCOTIAXA,

259

decandra,

270

aurantiaca,

297

Tabacum,

259

Pixus,

334

MAGXOUACE^,

34

NYSSA,

159

inops,

334

MAGXOLIA,

34

multiflora,

159

mitis,

335

acuminata,

35

palustris,

336

conspicua,

35

(EXOTHERA,

136

resinosa,

335

cordata,

35

Biennis,

136

rigida,

335

Fraseri,

35

fruticosa,

136

Strobus,

336

glauca,

34

grandiflora,

136

taeda,

335

grandinora.

35

OCIMUM,

229

PlSDM,

106

macrophylla,

35

basilicum,

230

sativum,

106

purpurea,

35

OLEACK.K,

264

PLAXTAGIXACE^:,

218

Umbrella,

35

OLEA,

266

PLANT AGO,

218

MALVACE.E,

63

Americana,

266

lanceolata,

220

440

IXDEX.

PAGE.

PAGE.

PAGE.

major,

218

imbricaria,

312

graveolens,

74

PLATANACE^E,

301

illicifolia,

315

RHUS,

77

PLATANUS,

301

macrocarpa,

308

copallina,

78

occidentals.

301

nigra,

313

Cotinus,

81

POA,

381

obtusiloba,

308

glabra,

78

annua,

382

olivaeformis,

308

Toxicodendron,

80

compressa,

383

palustris,

317

typhina,

78

pra tense,

383

Phellos,

312

venenata,

79

serotina,

382

Prinus,

310

trivialis,

382

rubra,

316

SABBATIA,

260

PODOPHYIXUM,

38

tinctoria,

315

angularis,

260

peltatum,

38

vireus,

312

SANGUIXARIA,

42

POLYGALACE,E,

92

C*?^, - ' * " '

Canadensis,

42

POL VGA LA,

92

RANUNCULACELE,

26

SACCHARUM,

410

senega,

92

RANUNCULUS,

27

officinarum,

410

POLYGONACE^!,

278

acris,

28

SAGITTARIA,

347

POLYGONUM,

278

bulbosus,

28

variabilis,

348

arifolium,

282

muricatus,

30

SALICACE^E,

328

aviculare,

281

repens,

39

SALIX,

328

Hydropiper,

280

RAPHANUS,

52

alba,

329

orientale,

279

Raphanistrum,

54

Babylonica,

329

Pennsy Ivanicum ,

279

sativus,

52

fragilis,

329

Persicaria,

279

RHABINACK*,

85

viminalis,

328

sagittatum,

282

RHAMNUS,

85

SALISBURIA,

343

POPULUS,

330

catharticus,

86

adiantifolia,

344

alba,

332

RHEUM,

284

SALVIA,

233

augulata,

331

Rhaponticum ,

285

lyrata,

234

balsamifera,

332

RHODODENDRON,

214

offlcinalis,

233

dilatata,
Grseca,

332
331

maximum,
RISES,

214
136

SAMBUCUS,
Canadensis

162
'162

grandidentata,

330

nigrum,

137

SAPINDACELE,

87

monilifera,

331

rubrum,

137

SAPOXARIA ,

58

tremuloides,

330

uva-crispa,

136

offlcinalis,

58

PORTULACACE^E,

62

RJCINUS,

289

SASSAFRAS,

285

PORTDLACA,

62

communis,

289

offlcinale,

285

Gilliesii,

63

ROBINIA,

100

SATUREJA ,

235

grandiflora,

63

hispida,

101

hortensis,

235

oleracea,

62

Pseud-acacia,

101

SAXIFRAGACEJJ,

143

POTENTILLA,

122

viscosa,

101

SAXIFRAGA,

143

Canadensis,

122

ROSACES,

112

Pennsylvania,

143

Norvegica,

122

ROSA,

129

Virginieusis,

143

PRUNUS,

115

Carolina,

130

SQLLA,

353

Americana,
avium,

116
117

laevigata,
lucida,

130
130

Frascri,
SCIRPUS,

353
361

Caroliniana.

119

rubiginosa,

130

puugens ,

361

Cerasus,

118

setigera,

130

SCROPHULARIACELE,

223

Chicasa,

116

RUBIACTLE,

163

SECALE,

392

maritima,

116

RUBIA ,

163

cereale,

392

Pennsylvanica,

118

Tinctorum ,

164

SEXECIO,

192

Virginiana,

119

RUBUS,

125

aureus,

193

Spinosa,

115

Canadensis,

127

vulgar is,

193

serotina,

119

cuneifolius,

128

SESAMUM,

223

PYRUS,

132

Idseus,

126

Indicum,

223

Americana,

134

Nutkanus,

126

SETARIA,

404

aucuparia,

134

occidentals,

127

glauca,

404

communis,

132

odoratus,

125

Italica,

405

coronaria

133

strigosus,

126

verticillata,

406

malus,

132

villosus,

128

viridis,

404

RUDBECKIA,

180

SICYOS,

141

QUAMOCLIT,

249

fulgida,

180

angulatus,

141

vulgar is,

249

hirta,

180

SIDA,

65

QUERCUS,

307

RUMEX,

283

spinosa,

65

alba,

309

Acetosella,

284

SINAPIS,

47

iiquatica.

314

crispus,

283

alba,

47

Castanea',

311

obtusifolius,

284

arvensis,

47

cocciuea,

315

RUTACEJ3,

74

nierra.

47

falcata,

314

RUTA,

74 SISYJU3KIUM,

44

INDEX.

441

officinale,

PAGE.

44 TECOMA,

PAGE.

220

racemosa,

PAGE.
293

SMILACKS

350

radicans,

221

UMBELLIFER^E,

145

SMILAX,

350

TEUCRIUM,

240

URTICACKS,

291

herbacea,

351

Canadense,

241

URTICA,

297

rotundifolia,

350

THALICTRUM,

27

dioica,

298

SOLAXACEJJ,

250

Cornuti,

27

urens,

"298

SOLAN UM,

251

THUJA,

339

Caroliniense,

253

occidentals,

340

VACCINIUM,

209

Dulcamara,

251

orientalis,

340

corymbosum,

210

esculentum,

253

THYMUS,

236

macrocarpon,

209

nigrum,

251

Scrpyllum,

237

Oxy coccus,

210

tuberosum,

253

vulgaris,

236

Pennsylvanicum,

210

SOIJDAGO,

175

TILIACKS,

68

vaccillans,

210

uemoralis,

175

TlLJA,

68

VALERIANACE^E,

165

odor a,

175

Americana,

68

VERBASCUM,

224

SOXCHUS,

205

Europaea,

68

Blattaria,

224

arveusis,

206

heterophylla,

69

Lychnitis,

224

asper,

206

pubescens,

69

Thapsus,

224

oleraceus,

205

TII.LAXDSIA,

349

VERBENACE^:,

228

SORGHUM,

411

usneoides,

350

VERBENA,

228

cernuum,

412

TRAGOPOGON,

203

offlcinalis,

228

nutans,

411

porrifolium,

203

urticsefolia,

228

saccharatum

412

TRIGONELLA,

99

VERNONIA,

170

vulgare,

412

ccerulea,

99

Noveboracensis,

170

SPERGULA ,

60

TRIFOI.IUM,

96

VERONICA,

227

arvensis,

60

agrarium,

98

peregrina,

227

SPIGELIA ,

165

arvense,

96

VIBURNUM,

162

Mariiandica,

165

medium,

98

Lentago,

162

SPINACIA,

274

pratense,

97

Opulus,

163

oleracea,

274

procumbeus,

99

VICIA,

106

SPIR^JA,

120

reflexum,

98

sativa,

106

fllipendula,

120

repens,

98

VITACE^?,

81

opulifolia,

120

stolonil'erum.

98

Vras, '

81

tomentosa,

120

TRIOSTEUM,

161

sestivalis,

82

ulmifolia,

120

perfoliatum,

161

cordifolia,

83

STELI.ARIA,

59

TRIPSACUM,

407

Labrusca,

82

media,

59

dactyloides,

407

vinifera,

81

SYMPIIORICARPUS,

161

TRi'ncuM,

389

vulpina,

84

racemosus,

161

repeus,

390

SYMPHYTUM,

243

vulgare,

389

WISTARIA,

101

officinale,

243

TROP;EOLACE.E,

73

Chouensis,

102

SYMPLOCARPUS,

345

TROP.EOLUM,

73

frutesccns,

10'2

foetidus,

345

majus,

73

SYRINGA,

265

TUSSILAGO,

171

XANTHICM,

178

Persica,

265

Farfara,

171

spinosum,

179

vulgaris,

265

TYPUACE^S,

347

strumarium,

179

TYPHA,

347

TANACETUM,

189

angustifolia,

347

ZANTHOXYLUM,

75

vulgare,

189

latifolia,

347

Americanum,

75

TARAXACUM,

203

Carolinianum,

76

Dens-leonis,

203

UI.MUS,

292

TAXODIUM,

341

alata,

293

ZEA,

407

distichum,

341

Americana,

292

Mays,

409

TAXUS,

343

campestris,

293

ZlZANAIA,

370

baccata,

343

fulva,

292 | aquatica,

370

INDEX

OP
ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NAMES.

[French, German and Spanish names in italics.]

PAGK

Abele-tree 332

Acacia, Rose 101

Aconite 33

Actinomeris, squarrose 182

Ailanthus 76

Alder 327

" Candle 328

" Common 328

" Speckled 328

" Black 217

" White 215

Ale-hoof 234

Almond 113

" Flowering 114

" Sweet 114

" Bitter 114

Alum-root 144

Amaranth Family 275

Amaranth 275

Green 275

Green-spiked 275

Thorny 278

White 278

Amer can Aspen 330

Andromeda 213

Angelica Tree 156

Apple 132

" Common 132

" Crab 134

Apricot 114

" Black 115

" Common 114

« Moor-park 114

[442]

PjkGB

Arbor- Vitse 339

' ; American 340

" Chinese 340

Arrow-head 347

Artichoke 194

Aram Family 344

Ash 266

" Black 267

" Green 267

" Red 267

" Water 267

" White 26r-

Asparagus 35 A

Aster 171

" China 172

" Heath-like 172

Avens 120

" Purple 121

" Water 121

L'Abricotier 114

L' Absinthe 190

Acederilla 284

AcMga 272

Achicoria 200

Ackerurinde. Die 247

Acore odorant 346

Acoro Calamo 346

Agripalma, 240

L' Agripaurm 240

L'Ati 355

Ail des Vignes 355

Ajedr'ea 236

Ajo 355

IJSTDEX.

443

PAGE

Alamo tie Lombardia 332

Albahaca 230

Albaricoque 114

Alcachofa 195

Alcaravea 150

Alfalfa 99

Algo'don 67

Alhena 265

Alouette Pied, d' 31

Amapdla 40

Amargon 203

Ampfer. Kramer 284

« Saner 284

Andorn. Der Weisse 238

Anserine blanche 271

Apfelbaum. Der 132

Apio hortense 150

Aprikosenbaum. Der 114

L'Arachide 104

Arbol de Castor 35

Arroz 369

Artichaud 195

ArtischoJfe. Die 195

Asperge 352

Aubergine rouge 253

Avena 394

Avoine cultiv&e , . . . . 394

" elev'ee 396

Axenjo 190

Balm, Common 237

Balsam Apple 141

Barberry Family 37

Barberry 37

Barbary Box-thorn 256

Barley 392

" Four-rowed 393

" Two-rowed 393

Bass-wood 68

" White 69

Bastard Jasmine 256

Bayberry 323

Bead-tree Family 69

Bead-tree 69

Bean 107

Bunch 107

Carolina 107

Dwarf. 107

Horse 105

Kidney 107

" Lima, . . .107

PAGE

Bean, Magothy-bay 110

" Pole 107

" String 107

" Windsor 105

Bean-tree 222

Bearberry 211

Beard Grass 410

Bee Balm. 232

Beech, American 319

Beet, Garden 272

" Sugar 272

Beggar's Lice 245

Beggar-ticks. 183

Benne 223

Bignonia Family 220

Bilsted 145

Bind-weed 247

" Rough 350

Birch Family 324

Birch 324

Black 326

Canoe 325

Cherry 327

Paper 325

Red 326

Sweet 327

White 325

Yellow 327

Birth wort Family 268

Birthwort 268

Bitter-nut 306

Bitter-sweet 252

" " Climbing 86

Bitter-weed 176

Blackberry 128

" Lawton 128

Sand 128

Black Caps 127

Blackjack 313

Black Thorn 115

Bladder Ketmia 67

Bleeding-heart 118

Elite, Strawberry 274

Bloodroot 42

Blueberry 209

Dwarf. .' 210

" Low 210

" Swamp 211

Blue Bonnets, of the Scotch 194

Blue-bottle 194

444

INDEX.

PAGE

Blue Devils : 242

Blue Tangles 208

Blue-weed 242

Bodock 297

Boneset 110

Borage Family 241

Bore-Cole. 45

Bouncing Bet 58

Bow-wood 297

Boxberry 213

Box-elder 92

Bramble 125

Brier, Running 127

" Common 128

Broccoli 45

Buckeye 89

" Red 88

Buckthorn Family 85

Buckthorn 85

Buckwheat Family 278

Buckwheat 283

Bulrush 361

Bugbane 33

Burdock 200

Bur-marigold 183

Burning Bush 87

Bush or High-cranberry 163

Butter and Eggs 225

Buttercups 27

Butterfly-weed 263

Butter-nut 303

Butter-weed 173

Button-wood 301

Barba Cabruna 203

Barddna Lampazo 200

Basilic 230

Basilienkraut. Gemeines 230

Bassinet 28

Batata de Malaga 247

Bataten Winde 247

Batatin 253

Baume verte 231

Baumwolle. Die 67

Berro 43

Berza 44 i

Bette-rave 272 |

Birnbaum. Der 132 j

Ble. Le 389 •

" Sarrasin 283 !

Bluet 194

PAGE

Bockbart. Der 203

Bohne. Die gemeine 107

Bolsa de Pastor 50

Bonnet de Prfrre 142

Baton de Oro 28

Bouillon blanc. 224

Bourse de Pasteur 50

Brennessel. Die 298

Brombeerstrauch. Der 128

Brome Seigle 386

Bromo 386

Brunela 238

Brumlle. Gemeine 238

Brunnelle ordinaire 238

Brunnenkresse. Die 43

Buche. Die \ 319

Buchweitzen. Der .283

Cabbage 44

Curled \\ \\ 45

Head 45

Headless 45

Savoy 45

Tree 45

Turnip-rooted 46

York 45

Calabash 138

Calamus 346

Calico Bush 214

Camass 353

Cane 388

Cantaloupe 139

Capsicum 255

Caraway, Common 150

Cardinal-flower 207

Cardoon . 194

Carolina-allspice Family 135

Carolina-allspice 135

Carolina Potato 247

Carpet-weed 59

Carrot, Garden . '. . . . . . '. '. '...... 146

" Wild 146

Castor-oil Plant 289

Catalpa 221

Catmint '.'.'..'. 234

Catnip '. . 234

Cat-tail Family 347

Cat-tail 347

Cauliflower 45

Cedar, Deodar 339

Cedar of Lebanon. . . .339

INDEX.

445

PAGE

Cedar White 340

" Red 342

Celandine 41

Celery 150

Centaury 260

Chamomile, Garden 185

Charlock 47

" Jointed 54

Cheat 38*

Checkerberry 212

Cherry 115

Black 119

Choke 119

English...: 118

Evergreen 119

Morello 118

Mountain 117

Red

Sour

Wild

Wild Red

118

118

119

118

.- 386

" Upright 387

Chestnut, American 318

" Spanish 318

Chick weed, Indian 59

Larger Mouse-ear. . . 59

" Mouse-ear 59

Chinquapin 319

Chives or Gives 357

Cichory 200

Cinque-foil 122

Citron 140

Clot-bur 178

; Thorney 180

Clover- 96

" Buffalo 98

" T' (Running) 98

" Bokhara 99

" Common 97

" Dutch 98

" Hop 98

" " (Low) 99

" Red < 97

" Stone 96

" Tree 99

" Welsh 96

" White 98

" Yellow 98

98

PAGU

Cockle-bur 179

Colts-foot 171

Comfrey 243

Composite Family 168

Cone-flower 180

Convolvulus Family 246

Cooper's Reed 347

Coriander 153

Corn, Broom 412

" Chocolate 412

" Guinea 412

" Indian • 407

Corn-cockle 56

Corn-mint 231

Corn-salad 166

Cornel Family 157

Cotton-plant 67

Cotton-wood 331

Cow Bane 148

" Spotted 152

Cowslip 30-

Cranberry 209

" Small 210

" Upland 211

Cranberry-tree 163

Cranes-bill 71

Crowfoot Family 26

Crowfoot 27

Cucumber 138

" Jerusalem 140

" Prickly 140

" One-seeded Star 141

Cucumber-Tree, Yellow 35

" " Ear-leaved 35

Cudweed 191

Currant Family 136

Currant, Black- 137

Red 137

Currants, Zante

Custard- Apple Family 36

Cymling 142

Cypress 340

" Bald 341

Cypress Vine^ 249

Calabaza 138

(Mlelmse 138

Cameline culitvee 50

Camomille romaine 186

Cana 387

" de Azucar. .. .410

446

INDEX.

Gznamo

FAGK
299

Date Plum

PAQS
218

Canne a Sucre

. ... 410

Dead-nettle

239

Cdpucfuntt

73

Devil-wood

266

Oapucine. Grande

73

Dew-berry

127

Cardencha

168
. . . . 195

Dock.

283

Cardo

4 Bitter.

284

Garotte

.. 146

' Broad-leaved

284

OdTvi ...

150

' Curled
^ 4 Narrow

283

283

Cassis. .

137

Castano

318

' Sour

283

'' de Indias

88

Dog's Fennel ....

185

Cebada

393

Dogwood Common

157

Cebolla

356

Dodder

249
381

Cebollino

357

Door-weed

Ceguda

153

.Drop-wort

120

Ctleri. GelerL Der

. 150

Dr. Tinker's Weed
Duke of Argyle's Tea-tree.

.... 161

256
412

Oenteno

392

Cerezo

. . 118

Cerisier. Le . .

118

. ... 268
96

Ckantre Jlerbe au

44

Dyer's Green Weed

Chanvre. Le

299

JJat'ti/le Pelnlonnt

376

Ckardon aux Anes

197

353

a Toulon

168

D&it de Lion

203

" lanceott

195

Ebony Family

217

Chataignier. Le

318

Es-o- Plant

253

Ckic.oree sauvage. .

200

Elderbush

162

Chien-dent

390

162

Chirivia

147

Elecampane

175

Ciioufleurpotager

44

Elm

292

Oidno

194

" American
" Corky White

292
... 293
293

Oiboulette

357

Cit/ue ordinaire .

153

" English

Cilantro ....

155

" Red
" Slippery

292
2:)2

Citrouille. Lagrosse..

142

Cognassier. Le

134

" W^eeDira1

292

Coticonibre. Le
Corazomillo

139
54

" White

292
. . . 293
263
266

" Winged
Enslenia

Coriandre

155

Correguela

247

European Olive.

Cotonnier. Le.

67

Evening Primrose Family. .
Evening Primrose.

. . . 135
. .. 136

Cotufa

181

Cresson — Al'enois
de fontaine

51

43

Eye-bright -

206 288
... 202
... 202

Daisy

174

" Ox-eye.

188

275

Damascene

115

JSrbsc Geineine ,

... 106

Dangle-berry. .

208

181

Dandelion

203

Krdbeerpiicinze Die

.. 123

Fall

202

Erd-nuss. Die

. . . 104

Darnel . .

. 388

Esdraaon. .

. 100

INDEX.

447

PAGE

Espadana 347

Espurrago 352

Espinaca 275

E«puela de Caballero 31

Estragon 190

Estramonio 258

Fennel, Garden 149

Fever-bush 286

Fever-root 161

Fever-wort 161

Fig-tree 294

Figwort Family 223

Filbert 320

« Wild 322

Fir, Balm of Gilead 337

u Balsam 337

" Double Balsam 337

" Norway 338

Fire-weed 191

Five-finger 122

Flax Family 70

Flax 70

•' Mountain 93

« False 49

* Wild 50

Flax- vine 249

Flea-bane 174

Flower-of-an-hour 67

Foxglove 226

Fringe-tree , 266

Faerber-Roethe. Die 165

Fasoles 107

Fdacnbaum. Der 294

FencheL Der 149

Fenouil 149

Feve de Marais 105

FSvier a trois Epines. Le Ill

Fiffuier. Le 294

Filileterre 249

Flachs. Gemeiner 70

Flachskraut. Das 225

Flachs-seide. Die 249

Fleoles des Pres 372

F/dhkraut 279

Floiive odorante 398

Fain de Mouton 396

Framer. Le 123

Eramboisier 126

Frambueso 126

Fresera ., 123

PAGE

Froment. Le 389

Gage 115

Galingale, Bristle-spiked 359

Garget 270

Garlic 354

" Crow 355

" English 355

" Field... 355

" Garden 355

' ' Meadow 355

Gentian Family 260

Gentian, Horse 161

Geranium 71

Germander 240

Gherkins 140

Gill 234

Gingko 343

Ginseng Family 155

Ginseng 155

Grape, Bullet or Bull 84

" Chicken 83

Common Wild 82

Catawba 82

Foreign 81

Northern Fox 82

Southern Fox 84

Frost 83

Isabella 82

Little 82

Wine 81

Winter 83

Grass, Family 365

Grass Barn-yard. .• 403

Beach 376

Beard 410

Bengal 406

Bent 373

" (Reed) 376

Bermuda 377

Black? 358

Blue 383

Blue Joint 376

Bottle 404

Brome 386

" (Smooth) 387

Bur 406

Canary 398

(Reed) 400

Cat's-tail . 372

Cock's-foot. . , .379

448

INDEX.

Grass

ti
t>

.(

i

* <

i

i

ti

(4

il
('
t<
f<
(

1
(

«
|<
K

<i

a
«
i
i
t

Coco?

PAGE
360
390
378
402
402
378
379
378
377
375
396
385
385
385
402
375
370
372
372
404
404
404
407
383
406

372
373
411
411
411
381
376
381
382
382
383
382
382
383
359
360
396
403
379
401
390
389
387
362

Grass Sesame

P. 03

407

Couch

' Spear.

. 383
. 398
396

Crab

' Sweet-scented Vernal.
' Velvet

Crab -.

" (Smooth)
Crowfoot.

1 Wire.

383

' Wood (Purple)
' Yard

. 411
. 378
396

Cut

Dog's-tail

Grass of the Andes

Dog's-tooth

Green-brier

350

Drop seed ...

Ground-Cherry
Ground Ivy.

. 256
234

Feather. ..."
Fescue

104

" (Meadow)
" (Tall) . .

Groundsel

. 192

151

Finger

Goats- weed

. 151

" Fiorin "

175

Fox tail

" " Sweet '
Gold of Pleasure

. 175
. 50

' ' (Common) ....

' ' (Meadow)
Foxtail

Grold thread

. 30

. 136
• 270

" (Bristly).

li (Green)
Gama

• 281

Green

• 138

Hedo-ehoo1

Prmrfl TSnfrtlp

• 138
. 243

Herds (of New England
and New York)
Herds (of Pennsylvania).
Indian.

Gum, Black

• 159
. 159
. 271

" (Finger-spiked).. .
(Oat like)

• 164

. 103

Manna . .

. 51

Mat -.
Meadow

. 234

. 393

(Dwarf)

. 200

(Early)
(Flat stalked)...
(Fowl) :
(Rough)
(Smooth)
Nut (of Florida) ?

994

Gremil des champs

. 243

. 137

. 136

. 106

Gundelrel>e. Die

. 234

" (of S. Carolina)?....
Oat . . .

Gurke. Die ...

. 139

Gurltenbaum Der

35

Old-witch

Hack-berry.

294

Orchard

Hackmatack

. 339

Panic

Hardhack

120

Quitch

Hawkbit

. 202

Ray or Rye

Hawthorn. . .

. 131

Reed

Haxle-nut

320

Sedge?..

Beaked..

. 322

INDEX.

449

PAGE

Heal-all 238

Heath Family 207

Hemlock 337

" Ground 343

" Common 153

" Poison 153

" Water 152

Hemp 299

Henbane 257

" Black or Common 258

Hen-bit 239

Herb Gerade 151

Hercules' Club 156

Hickory 304

'• Broom 306

" Mocker-nut 306

" Pecan 304

" Pig-nut 306

" Shag or Shell-bark 304

•; Small-fruited 306

" Thick Shell-bark ." 305

" White-heart 306

Hoarhound 238

Hog- Apple 38

Holly Family 216

Holty, American 216

Honeysuckle Family 160

Honeysuckle, Italian 160

Trumpet 161

Wild 160

Hop-vine 300

Hornbeam 322

Hop 323

Horse-chestnut 88

" English 88

Red-flowering. . . 88

Horse-fly Weed 108

Horse-mint 232

Horse-nettle 254

Horseradish 48

Horse Sugar 218

Horse-weed 173

Hound's-tongue 245

Huckleberry 208

Black 208

Dwarf 209

l< Sugar 210

Tall...., 211

Hyssop, Garden 235

Haba.. 105

PACK

Hafer. Gemeiner 394

" Wieten 396

Hanf. Der 299

Haricot 107

Hasenklee. Der 96

Haya 319

Hederich.Der 44

Herbe au Chantre 44

" aux Chats 234

" aux Viperes 242

Herzgespann. Das 240

Illtre. Le 319

Higulra 294

Himbeerstaude. Die 126

Hinojo 144

Hirtentasche. Die. 50

Hisepo 235

Hoblon 300

Honig-dorn. Der Ill

Honig- grass. Wolliges 396

Hop/en. Der 300

Houblon 300

Houque laineuse 396

Hysope 235

Imphee 412

Indian-cress Family 73

Indian-cress 73

Indian Sage 170

Indian Turnip 344

Indigo.. 102

False 107

" Wild 108

Ink-berry 217

Iron-weed 170

Iron Wood 322

Ivory Plum 213

Ivy 157

' ' American 84

" English 157

" Irish 157

Indigo 102

Indigopflanze. Die 102

L' Indigotier. 102

hop. Der 235

Ivraie vivace 389

Jamestown-weed 258

Jerusalem Artichoke 181

Jinkgo 344

j Judas-tree 108

! Juniper 342

450

IXDEX.

Jaramago

Johannisbeere. Gemeine. . . .
" Schwarze . .

Johanniskraut. Das

Joyo.

PAGE

. 44

. 137

. 137

. 54

. 389

Kentucky Coffee-tree 110

Kentucky Mahogany 110

Knap-weed 194

Knot-grass 281

Knotweed 278

" Spotted 279

Kohl-Rabi 45 j

Kalamm. Der 346

Kamille. Die 186

Slinkende 185

Kartendistel. Aechte 168

Kartoffd. Die 253

Katzenrnuenze. Die 234

Kermesbeere. Die 270

Richer. Gemeine 103

Kirschbaum. Der 118

Klee. Weisser 98 :

" Der Wiesen 97

Klette. Die 200

Knauel-gras. Geneines 379

Knoblauch. Der 355 i

Kohl. Der 44

Koriander. Der 155

Korn blume. Die 194

Kratsdistel. Die 195

Die Acker. ...'..'.'.'.'. 197

Kresse. Kapuziner 73 '

Kuemmel. Gemeiner 150

Kuerbiss. Der 138 I

Lady's Thumb 279 !

Lambkill 214

Lamb's Lettuce. 166

Lamb's Quarters 271

Larch 338 j

" American 339 ,

" Black 339 '

" White 339

Larkspur 31 !

Larkspur, Bee 32 ,

Laurel Family 285

Laurel, American 213

" Dwarf. 214

" Great 214

" Mountain 214

" Sheep 214

Lavender, Garden

Leek, Garden

Lentil

Lettuce, Garden

Lever- wood

Life-everlasting

Lilac

" Persian...

PACK
230
356
105
205
323
191
265
265

Lily Family 3

Lily.

Day

Japan

Tiger

Turk's cap.
White. . .

357
352
357
357
35^7
357
" Wild Yellow ............. 357

Lime-tree .................... 68

Linden Family .............. 68

Linden, European ............. 68

Linn ........................ 68

Liver-leaf .................... 26

Liverwort .................... 27

Lobelia Family ............... 206

Lobelia ...................... 206

Locust-tree .................. 100

Locust ...................... 101

" Clammy ............... -101

Long Moss ................... 349

Love- Apple .................. 250

Lucerne ...................... 99

Luzerne, French .............. 99

Laitue. La ................... 205

Lamier. Le ................... 239

Lampazo pequeno .............. 199

Larnpourde ................... 179

Lauch. Der .................. 355

Lauch. Der Acker

" Gemeiner

" Der Schnitt

" Weinbergs

Lechuga

Leindotter. Der

Lenteja

Lentille. La

Lepidio

LiebeS'Apfel. Der

Lierre terrestre

Lin. Lino

Linaria

Linde. Die. . .

355
356
357
355
205

50
105
105

51
250
234

70
225

68

INDEX.

451

P.GE

Linse. Gcmeine 105

Liseron des champs 247

Llanten 218

Lcawenzahn. Der 203

Lolch. Ausdauernder 389

Luzerne. La 99

Madder Family 163

Madder 163

Dyer's 164

Madeira Nut 302

Maize 409

Magnolia Family 34

Magnolia, Great-leaved 35

" Small 34

'' Laurel 34

Mallow Family 63

Mallow 64

" Indian 65

" Marsh 63

" Rose 67

Mallows, Running Low 64

Mandrake 38

Mangel Wurtzel 274

Many-berry 294

Maple Family 89

Maple 89

>' Ash-leaved 92

•'• Bird's-eye 90

'• Black Sugar 90

'-'• Curled 92

•• Greater 89

'• Norway.. 90

•' Red 91

" Silver-leaved 90

" Sugar 90

" Swamp 91

" White 90

Marj' ram Sweet 236

Marsh Marigold 30

Masterwort 148

Matrimony-vine 256

May Apple 38

May-weed 185

Meadow-rue 27

Meadow-sweet 120

Medick 99

" Black 100

Melilot 99

Melon. 138

" Musk 139

•' Water... . 140

PACK

Mexican Tea 272

Milfoil 187

Milkwort Family 92

Milkwort 92

Milkweed Family 261

Milkweed 261

Millet 406

'• Indian 412

Mint Family 228

Mint 230

•' Common 231

Mistletoe Family 286

Mistletoe 287

" False 287

Mocker-nut 306

Monkshood 33

Morning-glory 249

Mother-wort 239

Mountain Ash, American 134

" " European 134

Mouth-root 31

Mulberry 295

" European Black 296

" Red j 295

White 224

Mullein Common 224

" Moth 224

White 224

Muscadine 84

Mustard Family 42

Mustard, Black 47

" Hedge 44

" White 47

" Wild 47

Magnolier. Le 35

Majoran. Der 236

Majorana 236

Malva de hoja redonda 64

Malve. Rundladtrige. 64

Mangold. Gemeiner 272

Mani 104

Manne de Prusse 381

Manzanilla 186

" fetida 185

Manzdno 132

Margarita mayor 189

Marjolaine. La 236

Maroute 185

Maronnier d' Inde 88

Marrub blanc 238

Marrubio . . .238

452

INDEX.

Masse d/cau 347

Maulbeere Weisse 295

Mauve. Petite 64

Melilot blanc. Le 99

Meliloto 99

Melisa 237

Mdisse. Die. Mellisse. La 237

Melocoton, EL 113

Melon. Melone. Die 139

Melon armizcleno 139

Melon d'eau 140

Melone. Die Wasser 140

Membrillero 134

rita 231

puntiaguda 231

Menthe. La 231

Mielga 99

Milenrama 187

Millefeuille. La 187

Milleperluis 54

Moehre. Die 146

Morelle a Grappes 270

" noire 251

Morera 295

Mostazo 47

" bianco 47

Moutarde blanche 47

" des Capucins 48

'l noire 47

Mu flier linaire 225

Murier blanc 295

Nasturtium 73

Neckweed 227

Nectarine 113

Nettle Family 291

Nettle .;. 297

'• Small Stinging 299

•' Stinging 298

" Wood ;... 299

Nettle-tree 293

Nightshade Family 250

Nightshade 251

." Woody 252

Night Willow herb 136

Nimble Will 375

Nine Bark 121

Nonesuch ] 00

Nachtschatten. Eifruechtiger 253

" Der Schivarze 251

Natterkopf. Der 242

Neguillon 56

PAGE

Nielle des Bles. La 56

Nbguera 302

Nbyer commun 302

Oak Family 307

Oak 307

Barren 313

Barrens White 308

Bear 315

Black 315

Bur 308

Chestnut 311

Chestnut White 310

Chinquapin 311

Common White 309

Laurel 313

Live 312

Mossy-cup White 308

Over-cup 308

Pin 317

Post 308

Red 316

Rough 308

Scarlet 316

Scrub 315

Shingle 313

Spanish 315

Swamp Chestnut 310

Swamp Spanish 317

Water 314

Willow 312

Yellow 311

Yellow-barked 315

Oat 393

Oats, Common 394

" "Skinless" 395

Okra 66

Olive Family 264

Onion 354

'• Garden 356

Osage-orange 297

Osier 328

" Golden 329

Oswego Tea 232

Oyster-plant 203

ISCEil de bceuf 189

L'Oianon 356

Orge commune. 393

Ornitogalo 353

Ortie. Grande 298

Ortiga ' 298

muerta. . . .239

INDEX.

453

PAGE

Oseil/e. Petite 284

Palma Christ! 289

Panax, Five-leaved 156

Papaw 36

Paper Mulberry 296

Parsley Family 145

Parsley 152

" Curled 152

u Fool's 151

Parsnip 147

Cow 148

" Garden 147

" Guernsey 147

" Wild 149

Partridge-berry 213

Paspalum 401

Paulownia 226

Pea 106

Chick 103

Coffee 103

Everlasting 106

Garden 106

Hamoos 103

Sensitive 110

Sweet 106

Peach 112

Peach-tree 113

Peanut 103

Pear 132

Pear-tree 132

Pecan-nut 304

Pen nsylvanian Poly gonum 279

Pennyroyal, American 232

Pepper, Bird 255

" Cayenne. . . 255

" Red ..I! 255

Pepper-bush, Sweet 215

Peppergrass 50

Wild 52

Pepper-mint 231

Pepperidge 159

Persimmon 217

Pigeon-berry 270

Pine Family. 333

Pine 334

" Jersey 335

" Loblolly 335

" Long-leaved 336

" New England „ 336

" Northern Yellow. .. . 335

PAGB

Pine, Norway 335

" Old Field 335

" Pitch 335

" Red 335

" Scrub 335

" Southern Yellow 336

" Weymouth 336

" White 336

Pink Family 56

Pink, Carolina or Indian 165

Pink-root 165

Pin-weed 71

Pipe-vine 268

Pipsissewa 215

Plane-tree Family 301

Plane-tree 301

Plantain Family 218

Plantain 218

" Buckhorn 220

" Common 218

" English 220

Pleurisy-root 264

Plum 115

Bullace 115

Beach 116

Chickasaw 117

Common 115

Red 116

" Sand 116

" Yellow. 116

Poison Elder 79

Poison-ivy 80

Poison-oak 80

Poison vine 80

Pokeweed Family 270

Pokeweed 270

Poke 270

Poplar 330

" Athenian 331

" Balsam 332

" Italian 332

" Large 330

" Lombardy 332

" Silver.... 332

Poplar, Tulip 35

Yellow 35

Poppy Family 40

Poppy, Field 40

Opium 40

Prickly 40

454

INDEX.

PAGE

Potato 251

" Common 253

" Irish 253

Potentilla, Norwegian 122

Prickly Ash 75

•' Northern 76

" Southern 76

Pride of India 69

Prim 265

Prince's Feather 279

Privet 265

Puccoon 42

Pulse Family 93

Pumpkin 142

Purslane Family -62

Purslane 62

Black 288

Milk 288

Panais potager 147

Pappel. Lombardische 332

Pastndke. Die. 147

Pastisson 142

Palate jaune 247

Patendtres. Arbre aux 69

Patience frisee 284

Paturin annuel 382

" applati 383

" desPres 383

Pavot batard 40

Pecker. Le 113

Pepino 139

Peral. El 132

Perexil 152

Persicaire 279

Persicaria 279

Persil 152

Petersilee. Die 152

Peuplier Italien 332

Pfeffer. Spanischer 255

Pfeffermuenze. Die 231

Pfirsehenbaum. Der 113

Pied d' Alouette 31

Pied de Lievre 96

Pimentero. El 255

Plantain ordinaire 218

Plaqueminier. Le 218

Poirier. Le 132

Pois Ckiche. Le 103

Pots cultive 106

Poivre d' Inde. . . . 255

PAGE

d' Amour 256

Pomme epineuse 258

Pomme de terre 253

Pommier. Le 132

Porreau 35$

Portulak. Gemeiner 62

Potiron 142

Pourpier potager 62

Pseudo-lotus. Der 218

Puerro ' 35^

Quamash, Eastern. ........... 353

Quercitron ; 315

Quince-tree 134

Queclte. Gemeine 390

Quittembaum. Der 134

Rabbit-foot \\\\ 90

Raccoon-berry 38

Radish. Garden 52

" Spanish 54

" Black Turnip.. 54

Wild 54

Ragged Robin 194

Ragged Sailor 279

Rag-weed 176

" Great 176

Ragwort, Golden 193

Ranstead-weed 225

Raspberry, Antwerp 126

Black 127

Garden 126

Rose-flowering 125

White-flowering.... 126

Wild 127

Wild Red 126

Rattle Bush 108

Rhubarb 284

Red-bud 108

Red-top 373

" False 382

Reed 370

" Sea-sand 376

" Small (Canadian) 376

Reed 387

Reed-mace 347

Ribgrass 220

Rice 369

Common 369

False 369

Indian. 370

Mountain.. . 370

INDEX.

455

PAGE

Rice, Upland 370

" Wild 369

Rose Family 112

Rose 129

" Cherokee 130

'; Climbing. 130

" Dwarf Wild 130

" Prairie 130

" Swamp 130

" Guelder 163

Rose Bay 214

Rose-campion 56

Rose of Sharon 67

Rue Family 74

. Rue, Garden 74

Rush Family 358

Rush 358

" Common 358

" Soft 358

" Chair-maker's 361

Ruta-baga 46

Rye 392

'• Common 392

Rabano 48

Rode. Gemeine 56

Radis. Raifort 52

Rainfarrn. Der 189

Ranunkd. Knolliger 28

Rehwasen 383

Reiss. Der 369

Rettig. Der 52

" Der Meer 48

Rheinweide. Gemeine 265

Ribes negra 137

" roja 137

Ricin ordinaire. Le 289

Ricino 289

Rispengras. Jaeliriges 382

'• Wiesen 383

Rittersporn. Der 31

Riz. Le 369

Roggen. Gemeiner 392

Rogyen-Trespe 386

Rohr Gemeines 387

Rohrkolle. Die 347

Ronce.La 128

Roqueite des Jardins 43

Roseau a balais 387

Rosskastanie. Die 88

Rubia.. 164

Ruch-yras. Das 398

Sage, Garden 233

Salad 205

" Curled 205

" Head 205

Salisburia 344

Salsify 203

Sarsaparilla 156

False 156

Wild 155

Sassafras 285

Saxifrage Family 143

Saxifrage, Pennsylvania 143

Tall 143

Scarcity Root 274

Scury-grass 43

Sedge Family 358

Sedge 361

• " Tussock 363

Self-heal 237

Seneka Snake root 93

Senna. American. 109

" Wild 109

Sesame 223

Sheep-berry 162

Shepherd's Purse 50

Shrubby Althas 67

Sida 65

Silkweed 261

Silver Bell 218

Skunk Cabbage 346

Sloe 115

Smart-weed 281

Smilax Family 350

Snakeroot, Tall 34

Black 34

" Canada 269

" Virginia 269

Sneeze-wort 187

Snowball 163

Snowberry 161

Soap berry Family 87

Soap-wort 58

Sorgho 412

Sorghum 411

Sorrel. Field 284

" Sheep 284

Sow-thistle 205

" Common 205

" Spiny-leaved 206

456

INDEX.

PAGE I

Spanish Needles 184 '

Spearmint 231

Speedwell, Purslane 227

Spice-wood 286

Spikenard 155

Spinach or Spinage 274

Spindle Tree 87

Spoon-wood 214

Spruce 337

Black 338

Double 338

Hemlock 337

Norway.- 338

Single 338

White 338

Spurge Family 287

Spurge 287

" Caper 288

" Spotted 288

" Large Spotted 288

Spurge-nettle 289

Spurrey 60

" Corn 61

Squash 142

" Long-necked 143

' ' Eound 142

" Warted 143

Squaw-weed 193

Squill 353

Stagger-bush 213

Staff-tree Family 86

Staff-tree 86

Star of Bethlehem 352

Star-thistle 193

Steeple Bush 120

Stickseed 244

" Narrow-leaved 245

St. John's- wort Family 54

St John's-wort 54

Stone-weed 243

Strawberry, English 123

" Garden ,. .. .123

Wild 125

Strawberry-bush 135

Styptic Weed 110

Succory 200

" Garden 202

" Wild 200

Sugar-berry 294

Sugar Cane 410

Sugar, Chinese

Sumach

Chinese

Common

Dwarf

Poison

Smooth

Stag-horn

Venetian

Sunflower

Summer Savory

Swamp Dogwood

Sweet-basil

Sweet Bay

Sweet Brier

Sweet-scented Crab-tree

Sweet Fern

Sweet Flag

Sweet Gale Family

Sweet Gale

Sweet-gum

Sweet Potato

Sweet-scented Shrub

Sycamore 89

Saat-Mohn. Der

Salat. Der. .

Salbie. Die.

Salsifis

Salvia '

Sandia

Sarriette. La

Saturey. Die

Sau Bohne. Die

Sauge. La

Scarole. La

Schafgarbe. Die

Schierling. Der

Schneekenklee. Der

Schwingel, Essbarer

Seigle. Le

Senf. Schwarzer

" IVeisser

Serpolet

Spared. Der

Spinat. Der

Spitzklette. Die

Spiizmuenze. Die

Stachelbeere. Die

Stechapfel. Der

FteinL le. Weisser

PAGE
412

77

76

78

78

79

7-8

78

81

181

235

79

229

34

130

134

324

346

323

324

145

247

135

301

40

205

233

203

233

140

236

236

105

233

202

187

153

99

381

392

47

47

237

352

275

179

231

136

258

99

INDEX.

457

PACK

Stdnsame Acker 243

Tamarack . .' 339

Tansy 189

Tare 61 106

Tarragon 190

Tea-berry 213

' Tear-thumb, Arrow-leaved 282

" Halberd-leaved 282

Teasel Family 167

Teasel 167

" Fuller's 168

" Wild 167

Ten o'clock 353

Thistle. 195

" Canada 197

" Common 195

" Cursed 197

" Pasture 196

" Yellow 197

" Cotton 199

Thimble-berry 127

Thorn, Cockspur 131

" English 131

" New Castle 131

u Virginia 131

" Washington 131

Thorn-apple 258

Thorough-stem 170

Thorough-wort 170

Thyme 236

" Creeping 237

" Garden 236

" Standing 236

Timothy (of Pennsylvania, &c.). 372

" White 396

Toad-flax 225

Tobacco.. 259

" Tndian 206

Tomato 250

Cherry 251

' ' Strawberry 256

Tongue-grass 51

Toothache-tree 76

Tread-softly 289

Trefoil, Spanish 99

Trumpet-creeper 221

Trumpet-flower 220

Tulip-tree 35

Tupelo ,'.>•.'. 159

Turnip 44

20

PAGB

( Turnip Common T 46

Turnip, Swedish 46

Tabac. Le 259

Taback. Der 259

Tabaco 259

Tanaceto 189

Tanaisie 189

Taube-nessd. Die 239

Thymian. Der 237

Tilleul. Le 68

Tilo 68

Tomate. 250

Tomillo 237

Topinambour 181

Trebol 97

" bianco 98

Trifle blanch* 98

" des Pr'ts 97

Trigo 389

' ' Saraceno 283

Triolet 98

Troene. Le 265

Tulipier. Le . „ 35

Tulpenbaum. Der 35

Umbrella Tree 35

Unicorn-plant 222

Uva-ursi 211

Uva espina 136

Valerian Family 165

Vegetable Marrow 138

Velvet-leaf. 65

Vervain Family 228

Vervain, Common 228

Vetch, Common 106

Viburnum 162

Vine Family 81

Virginia Creeper 84

Viper's Bugloss 241

Verdolaga 62

Vid. La 81

Vteh-gras. Das 383

Vigne. La 81

Vogelmilch. Die 353

Wahoo 293

Walnut Family 202

Walnut 302

' Black 303

' English... 302

' White 303

Water Beech 322

458

INDEX.

PACK
Water-cress. .*. 43

Water-oats 370

Water-Plantain Family 347

Water-pepper 281

Wax-myrtle 324

Wax Pinks 63

Wax-work 86

Way-bread 218

Wheat, Spring 389

" Winter 389

Whin 96

White- weed 189

Whitewood 68

Wild Allspice 286

Wild Columbo 260

Wild Ginger 269

Wild Hyacinth 353

Wild Ipecac 289

Wild Lemon 38

Willow Family 328

Willow, Basket 328

Bedford 329

Drooping 329

Weeping 329

White 329

Yellow 329

Winter-berry 217

Winter-cress 43

Wintergreen 213

Wistaria 101

" Chinese 102

;' Woody, 102

Witch-hazel Family 144

Witch-hazel 144

PAGE

Woad- waxen 96

Wolfs-bane 33

Woodbine, American 160

Wood Sage 240

Wood-sorrel Family 72

Wood-sorrel 72

Worm-grass 165

Wormwood 190

Waizen. Gemeiner 389

Wallnus. Die „ 302

Wegetritt. Der grosse 218

Weyewart. Der 200

Weinstock. Der 81

Wermuth. Der 190

Wiesen-Lieschgras. Das 372

Winter-kresse. Die 43

Wollkraut. Das 224

Wucherblume. Die 189

Wunderbaum. Der 289

Yarrow 187

Yaupon 217

Yew, American 343

' ' Common 343

Yedra terrettre 234

Yerba Carmin 270

" Mora 251

' ' de Santa Barbara 43

" dela Vibora 242

Zanahoria 146

Zarza 128

Zederach. Der 69

Zucher-rohr. Aechtes 410

Zwiebel. Die 356

NAMES

PLANTS ILLUSTRATED IN THIS WORK.

PAGE

Actinomeris, Squarrose 182

Amaranth, Thorny 277

" Reflexed 276

Apple 133

Ash, Prickly 75

Arrowhead 348

Avens, Water 121

Barberry 37

Barley, 2-rowed 394

Bearberry 211

Bind-weed 248

Birch, Black or Red 326

" Canoe or Paper 325

" Sweet or Cherry 327

" White 325

Blue-bottle 194

Bugloss, Viper's 242

Carex 364

Carrot 147

Celandine 41

Checkerberry 212

Cherry, Garden 117

Chess or Cheat 386

Chickweed 60

Cichory or Succory, Wild 201

Clot-bur, Thorny 179

Clover, Red 97

Cockle-bur 178

Corn-cockle 57

Cotton-wood 331

Cranes-bill 72

Crowfoot, Tall 29

Cucumber 139

PAGE

Cypress 341

Dandelion. 204

Dogwood, Flowering 158

Enslenia 264

Filbert or Hazel-nut 321

Flax 70

" False 49

Flea-bane, Canada 173

Foxtail, Meadow 371

Gingko or Jinkgo Tree 344

Goats-foot 151

Goosefoot 271

Grape, Fox 83

Grass, Canary (Reed) 400

Couch or Quitch 391

Foxtail 405

Herd's or Red-top 374

Orchard 380

Meadow (Common) 384

Velvet 397

Vernal (Sweet-scented). . . 399

Grass, General structure of.. ... 368

Gromwell, Corn 244

Groundsel 192

Hemlock, Water 152

" Poison 154

Hickory, Mocker-nut 305

Hop 300

Hound's-tongue, Common 246

Indian Corn 408

Larkspur, Field 32

Lucerne 100

Madder, Plant 164

[459]

460

NAMES OF THE PLANTS ILLUSTRATED.

PAGE

Mallow, Common 64

" Velvet-leaf or Indian .. 66

Maple, Red 91

Mayweed 186

Milkweed 262

Monkshood 33

Mulberry, Paper. 296

Mustard, Field 48

Nettle, Horse 254

" Spurge v 290

" Stinging " 298

Nettle-tree 293

Nightshade 252

Oak, Black 316

" Black Jack or Barren 314

" Bur or Over-cup 308

" Chestnut (Swamp) 310

" Chestnut or Yellow 311

" Laurel or Shingle 313

Live 312

Pin or Swamp Spanish. ... 317

Post or Rough 308

Red 317

Scarlet 316

Spanish 314

White 309

Willow 313

Oat 395

Ox-eye Daisy or White-weed. . . 188

Parsnip, Cow 148

Parsley, Fool's 151

Pea 94

" Structure of. 95

Peanut 104

Pine „ 334

Pink, Carolina 166

Plantain, Common 219

Poison Ivy

Polygonum, Pennsylvania!!

Poppy, Field

" Prickly

Purslane

Radish, Cultivated. ...

'• Wild

Ragweed, Great

Rue

Sage, Garden

Senna, Wild

Shepherd's Purse

Snakeroot, Virginia

Soap wort

Spanish Needles

Spurrey

St. John's-wort

Star-cucumber, One-seeded

Strawberry

Sumach, Poison

" Smooth

Tear-thumb, Arrow-leaved

" Halberd-leaved . . .

Ten o'clock, or Star of Bethlehem

Thistle, Canada

Thorn-apple

Timothy

Toad-flax

Tobacco

" Indian. . . .,

Trumpet Creeper

Virginia Creeper

Wax- work or Climbing Staff-tree

Willow, White

Winter-cherry

Wormseed . .

PAGE

80

280

39

41

62

52

53

177

129

74

239

109

51

269

58

184

61

55

141

123

79

78

282

281

354

198

258

373

225

259

207

221

85

87

329

257

273

667764

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