Class X. Order VI. 



tares. Sicms spreading, becoming erect, smooth, round, 

 swelling at the joints. Leaves linear, obtuse, in whorls at the 

 joints. Panicle terminal, forked, the peduncles bent down- 

 ward as the fruit ripens. Petals little larger than the calyx, 

 white. June and after. Annual. 



DECJ1GFNM. 



140. PHYTOLACCA. 



PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. L. Poke, Cocum. 



Flowers with ten stamens and ten styles. L. 



One of the most common aijd conspicuous plants in waste 

 .grounds, by road sides, Sec. Stems purple, branching, six or 

 seven feet high. Leaves large, ovate, acute, entire. Flowers 

 in long, simple racemes, of a dull white ; succeeded by large, 

 flat, purple berries, which have been made to furnish a perma- 

 nent dye. A variety of medicinal properties are attributed to 

 the root of this plant. Flowers in July and August. Perennial 



