122 Class V. Order V. 



nating with the stamens, each consisting of three equal, filamenta- 

 ry branches, ending in yellow, glandular heads. Anthers oblong.. 

 Germ ovate ; style none, stigmas four, sometimes five, at first in- 

 distinct, but afterwards prominent and recurved. Capsule ovate, 

 one celled, four or five valved ; receptacles lateral, affixed to 

 the valves. Seeds numerous, ovate. After the anthers have 

 fallen, the nectaries are easily mistaken for stamens by the inex- 

 perienced. Wet meadows, Rhode-Island and Connecticut. 

 August. Perennial. 



PEJVTAGYWM. 



132. ARALIA. 



ARALIA NUDICAULIS. L. Wild Sarsaparilla. 



Stemless, leaves decompound, scape leafless. Willd. 



A well known aromatic root. It has no stem unless the ter- 

 mination of the root be so considered. Leaves on long stalks, 

 generally subdivided into three times three, or three times five 

 leafets, which are oblong-ovate, finely serrate, acuminate, vein- 

 ed and slightly hispid. The scape rises between the leafstalks, 

 and supports a few simple umbels of greenish flowers. Involu- 

 cre scarcely any. Calyx with five very short, acute teeth. 

 Petals five, green, with a central nerve, acute, reflexed. Sta- 

 mens five, whitish, erect. Styles five, much shorter, acute, in- 

 curved. Woods and thickets. May, June. Perennial. 



ARALIA RACEMOSA. L. Pettymorrcl. Spikenard. 



Stem herbaceous, smooth ; leaves decompound ; 

 peduncles axillary, branching, umbelled. Willd. 



Tall and irregularly branched. Stem smooth, dark green or 

 red. Leafets large, ovate or heart-shaped, serrate. Flowers in 

 small umbels, which are again arranged in branching racemes, 

 from the axils or forks of the stem. In woods. June, July. 



It is aromatic and in high estimation with people of the coun- 

 try. 



ARALIA HISPIDA. Mich. Bristly Aralia. 



Stem shrubby at base, hispid ; leaves twice pin- 

 nate ; leafets cut serrate ; umbels on long peduncles. 



