AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 2 SERIES I. PHAENOGAMOUS OR FLOWERING PLANTS. POLYPETALOUS EXOGENS. ORDER I. RANUNCULACEAE. Juss. Herbaceous (rarely frutescent, and occasionally climbing) plants, with an acrid watery juice. Leaves mostly alternate, variously lobed or divided-the petioles more or less dilated and stem-clasping at base. Calyx of 3 to 6-usually 5-distinct sepals, mostly deciduous. Petals 5 to 15, sometimes deformed or irregular-occa sionally absent. Stamens indefinite, distinct. Ovaries numerous (rarely few, or solitary), distinct. Embryo minute, at the base of firm albumen. This Family comprises a number of plants of considerable beauty; but few of Agricultural importance. Some species of Ranunculus are highly acrid; the Aconites are even poisonous; and the warmly aromatic seeds of Nigella sativa, L. have been used as a substitute for the Nutmeg. These, however, scarcely come within the scope of the present work. TRIBE II. RANUNCULEAE. DC. Petals with a small nectariferous scale, gland or pore, at base inside. Anthers extrorse. Carpels dry, indehiscent, 1-seeded. Seed erect, or sometimes suspended. 1. RANUNCULUS. L. Endl. Gen. 4783. [Latin, Rana, a frog; the plant often growing where that animal is found.] Sepals 5. Petals 5 (sometimes 10 or more), with a nectariferous scale, pore or glandular spot, on the inside of the claw. Stamens mostly numerous. Carpels numerous, compressed, ovate, pointed, disposed in roundish or cylindrical heads. Seed erect, (rarely suspended).— Annual or perennial Herbs. Leaves mostly radical, the cauline ones at the base of the branches and peduncles. Carpels smooth and even. Leaves dissected. 1. R. BULBOSUS, L. Hairy; radical leaves petiolate, trifoliolate and somewhat pinnately divided; leaflets usually 3-cleft, incisely toothed, the middle or terminal one petiolulate; stem erect, bulbous at base; peduncles furrowed; calyx reflexed, shorter than the petals; carpels subovate, with a short acute recurved beak. Torr. & Gr. Fl. N. A. 1. p. 24. DC. Prodr. 1. p. 41. Fl. Cestr. p. 331. Icon, Fl. Lond. 2. BULBOUS RANUNCULUS. Vulgo-Butter-cups. Crow-foot. Fr. Bassinet. Germ. Knolliger Ranunkel. 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 to 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 becoming extensively naturalized, and is considered quite a nuisance, by many farmers in Chester County, Penn.-particularly in the meadows along the Brandywine. 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 introduced, it may be well for farmers to know the plant, and eradicate it upon its first appearance in their grounds. There are several native species, frequent in our woodlands, and moist low grounds; but they have not been found troublesome.* TRIBE III. HELLEBOREAE. DC. Calyx mostly petaloid. Petals irregular, often bilabiate or tubular, nectariferous -sometimes wanting. Carpels few (rarely solitary), follicular, dehiscent, several-seeded. 2. DELPHINIUM. L. Endl. Gen. 4796. [Greek, Delphin, a dolphin; from a fancied resemblance in the nectaries.] Calyx petaloid, irregular, the upper sepal 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. Ovaries 1 to 5, mostly 3. Follicles many-seeded. Annual or perennial Herbs.— Leaves petiolate, palmately divided. Flowers in terminal racemes. 1. D. CONSOLIDA, L. Stem erect, with spreading branches; leaves many-parted, the segments linear; flowers few, in loose racemes; pedicels longer than the bracts; carpels solitary, smooth. Torr. & Gr. Fl. N. A. 1. p. 30. DC. Prodr. 1. p. 51. SOLDER DELPHINIUM. Vulgò-Lark-spur. [Caballero. Fr. Pied d' Alouette. Germ. Der Rittersporn. Span. Espuela de Root annual. Stem about two feet high, and with the foliage and flowers somewhat pubescent. Flowers blue or violet-purple, sometimes the petals are multiplied into double flowers. Grain fields, and waste places: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. July. Fr. August. Obs. 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 cultivated grounds. This, and a kindred species (D. Ajacis, L. with few erect branches, longer and more crowded racemes,) are so common in gardens, that it requires some attention to prevent them from trespassing on the farm. Plants which have matured their seed in the garden, should never be carried to the Barn-yard, nor permitted to mingle with farm manure, otherwise the fields will soon be infested with pernicious and worthless weeds. TRIBE IV. CIMICIFUGEAE. Torr. & Gr. Sepals petaloid, caducous. Petals (or rather Staminodia-dilated sterile filaments,) 3 to 6 or 8. Anthers introrse. Carpels few-sometimes solitary, rarely numerous-follicular or baccate, with several seeds,-sometimes indehiscent and 1-seeded. Flowers occasionally unisexual, by abortion. * My friend, Prof. A. GRAY, of Cambridge, informs me that R. acris, L. also called Butter-cups, and Upright Meadow Crow-foot-a kindred species, (with palmately divided leaves, the stem not bulbous at base,-and the peduncles not furrowed), is quite common around Boston,-in Western New York, &c., and deserves to be enumerated among the pernicious Weeds of the country. 3. CIMICIFUGA. Z. [BOTROPHIS. Raf. Endl. Gen. 4800.] [Latin, Cimex, a bug, and fugare, to drive away; in allusion to supposed virtues.] Sepals 4 or 5. Petals (or Staminodia) 3 to 5 or 8, concave or unguiculate, sometimes, by abortion, fewer or none. Stamens numerous; style short; stigma simple. Carpels 1 to 8, follicular, many-seeded. Perennial Herbs. Leaves bi- or tri-ternately divided. Flowers in virgate racemes. 1. C. RACEMOSA, Ell. Leaves triternate; leaflets ovate-oblong; petals slender, forked at apex; carpels solitary. Torr. & Gr. Fl. N. A. 1. p. 36. Actæa racemosa. L. DC. Prodr. 1. p. 64. Fl. Cestr. p. 319. RACEMOSE CIMICIFUGA. Vulgo-Tall Snake-root. Black Snake-root. Root perennial, large, branching. Stem 4 to 6 feet high, slender, smooth, leafy near the middle, naked above and below, with one or two radical leaves on long erect petioles. Leaves ternately decompound, petiolate; leaflets 2 to 4 inches long, acute or acuminate, unequally incised-dentate, the terminal one larger and often 3-lobed. Racemes terminal, branching, 6 to 12 inches long. Sepals 4, orbicular, concave, greenish white. Petals (or staminodia) 4 to 8, slender, sublinear, bifurcate or emarginate at apex. Carpel ovoid, subcompressed, smooth, obliquely beaked with the persistent style. Seeds compressed and angular.Rich woodlands. Fl. June. Fr. Sept. Obs. The white terminal racemes of this plant, when in flower, are quite conspicuous in the woodlands of Pennsylvania. 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 generally 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 designate it. ORDER II. MAGNOLIACEAE. Juss. DC. Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, subcoriaceous, entire or lobed (never serrate), often large, stipulate; stipules convolute or nearly flat, membranaceous, caducous. Flowers solitary, usually large and often fragrant. Calyx of 3 to 6 colored deciduous sepals. Corolla of 3, 6, or many petals in concentric series. Stamens numerous, mostly with short filaments, and long adnate anthers,-the cells either introrse, lateral, or sometimes extrorse. Carpels several in a single stellate verticil, or more commonly numerous and spicate, or imbricated, forming a kind of strobile on the prolonged receptacle. Seeds one or two in each carpel; sometimes with a pulpy covering, and suspended (when the carpels open) by a slender elastic cord. Embryo minute, at the base of fleshy albumen. A small but splendid Family; more ornamental, however, than important in Agriculture. TRIBE II. MAGNOLIEAE. DC. Carpels spicate on the elongated torus or receptacle. Anthers long. 4. MAGNOLIA. L. Endl. Gen. 4737. [Named in honor of Prof. Pierre Magnol, a French Botanist.] Sepals 3, deciduous. Petals 6 to 12. Anthers introrse or lateral. Carpels forming a strobile-like fruit, persistent, dehiscent by the dorsal suture. Seeds baccate, when mature, pendulous from the open carpel by a long slender funiculus. Fine trees, in the U. States (except the fragrant-flowered M. glauca, L. which is usually a shrub,-though I have seen it 30 feet high). Stipules convolute, Leaves sometimes perennial. 1. M. ACUMINATA, L. Leaves oval, acuminate, pubescent beneath, deciduous; petals 6 to 9, oblong-obovate. Torr. & Gr. Fl. N. A. 1. p. 43. DC. Prodr. 1. p. 80. Icon, Mx. Sylva, 2. tab. 53. ACUMINATE MAGNOLIA. Vulgò-Cucumber tree. Fr. Le Magnolier. Germ. Der Gurkenbaum. Span. Arbol de Castor. Tree 50 to 80 feet high, and 2 to 3 or 4 feet in diameter at base. Leaves 6 to 10 or 12 inches long (on 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 expanding. Fruit sub-cylindric, 3 to 5 or 6 inches long. Mountain forests, New York to Georgia. Fl. June-July. Fr. Sept.-October. Obs. Several species of Magnolia are worthy of culture, as ornamental Shade-trees; but as they are not otherwise important in Agriculture, I have mentioned this one merely as a sample (and perhaps one of the finest) of that noble genus. 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. 5. LIRIODENDRON. L. Endl. Gen. 4740. [Greek, Leirion, a lily, and Dendron, a tree; from its lily-like flowers.] Sepals 3, caducous. Corolla campanulate; petals mostly 6. Anthers extrorse. Carpels samaroid, indehiscent, densely imbricated in a cone, 1 or 2-seeded. A large tree. Stipules nearly flat, and applied face to face. 1. L. TULIPIFERA, L. Leaves dilated, subcordate at base, 3-lobed, TULIP-BEARING LIRIODENDRON. Vulgò-Poplar. Tree 80 to 120 feet high, and 2 or 3 to 5 or 6 feet in diameter. Leaves 4 to 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 2-celled (one cell mostly obliterated, and both seeds often abortive), 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 branches of the mechanic arts, especially the variety called yellow Poplar, 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 XI, PAPAVERACEAE. Juss. Herbs, with a milky or colored juice. Leaves alternate, without stipules. Calyx of 2 (rarely 3) caducous sepals. Corolla of 4 to 6 regular petals. Stamens 6 to 24-or numerous, but some multiple of the petals. Fruit 1-celled; either pod shaped with 2 to 5, or capsular with many. parietal placentae, from which the valves often separate. Seeds numerous. Embryo minute, at the base of fleshy and oily albumen. The Poppy, which is the type of this Family, is the only plant belonging to it, of much importance. The Red-root, or Indian Paint (Sanguinaria Canadensis, L.), a common plant in the rich woodlands of the U. States, has been commended for the medicinal properties of its rhizoma, or subterraneous stem. 6. PAPAVER. L. Endl. Gen. 4823. [Celtic, Papa, pap; from its being added to children's food, to induce sleep.] Sepals 2. Petals 4 (sometimes multiplied). Stamens numerous. Stigmas 4 to 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: placentae opposite the stigmas! and extending into the cavity so as to form incomplete partitions. Annual or perennial Herbs. Flowers nodding before opening. 1. P. DUBIUM, L. Stem clothed with slender spreading hairs,-the peduncles with bristly appressed hairs; leaves pinnately dissected, the segments often incised, decurrent; sepals hairy; capsules obovoid-oblong, smooth. Torr. & Gr. Fl. N. A. 1. p. 60. DC. Prodr. 1. p. 118. Fl. Cestr. p. 317. ICON, Fl. Lond. 2. DUBIOUS PAPAVER. Vulgo-Poppy. Field Poppy. Fr. Payot bâtard. Germ. Der Saat-Mohn. Span. Amapóla. Root annual. Stem 1 to 2 feet high, somewhat branched below. Leaves 2 to 5 inches long, hairy. Peduncles terminal. 6 to 12 inches long, flexuose, leafless. Petals pale red or brick-dust colored. Stigmas about 7-rayed, on a convex disk. Cultivated grounds: introduced. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July, August. Obs. This foreigner has found its way into some districts; and, if unattended to, may become a troublesome weed,—as it and the "Corn Poppy" (P. Rhoeas, L.) are said to be, in Europe. The common or Opium Poppy, (P. somniferum, 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. The common Celandine (Chelidonium majus, L.), an introduced weed, of this natural Order, occurs frequently in waste places on our farms; but it is scarcely of sufficient importance, in any respect, to require a more particular notice in this work. A similar remark may be made of the Prickly Poppy (Argemone Mexicana, L.), another kindred weed which is occa sionally met with. ORDER XIII. CRUCIFERAE. Juss. Herbs with a pungent or acrid watery juice. Leaves alternate, without stipules. Flowers in racemes 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 (tetradynamous). Fruit a pod (called a Silique when much longer than broad, and a Silicle when short), which is 2-celled by a membranaceous septum or 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 (when they are said to be accumbent,-represented by this sign, o=), or with the back of one of them to the radicle (and then termed incumbent,—of which this is the sign, oll). |