35 
Description.—Canada fleabane is an annual weed belonging to the 
aster family (Asteracer). The stem, which is bristly-hairy, or some- 
times smooth, varies greatly in height, according to the soil, being 
sometimes only 3 inches high, and in favorable soil often reaching a 
height of 10 feet. The larger plants are branched near the top. The 
leaves are usually somewhat hairy, those scattered along the stem being 
rather narrow, with unbroken margins, and the lower ones slightly 
toothed. From June to November numerous heads of small incon- 
spicuous white flowers are produced, followed by an abundance of seed. 
Parts used.—Theentire herbis medicinal, and 
should be gathered during the flowering period 
and carefully dried. It has a faint, agreeable 
odor and a somewhat astringent and bitter 
taste. The fresh herb on distillation yields 
a volatile oil which is sold as oil of fleabane. 
The common name ‘“‘blood stanch” indi- 
cates the use of this plant for arresting hem- 
orrhages from various sources and the bleed- 
ing of wounds. It is useful also in diarrhea 
and dropsy. 
Price.—The price paid for erigeron or flea- 
bane ranges from 6 to 8 cents per pound. 
JIMSON WEED. 
Datura stramonium L. 
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Other common names.—Jamestown weed 
(from which ‘‘jimson” weed is derived), thorn- 
apple, stinkweed, stinkwort, devil’s apple, 
mad-apple, devil’s trumpet, fireweed, James- 
town lily, dewtry, apple of Peru. (Fig. 26). 
Range and habitat.—Jimson weed is exceed- 
ingly common in fields and waste places , = 
throughout the entire country with the excep- €===eaeeee= = 
tion of the North and West. It is native in —— 
the Tropics and widely scattered in nearly Pahacadien Or eee 
all warm countries. 
Description—This well-known rank and ill-scented poisonous weed 
is an annual about 2 to 5 feet in height, and belongs to the potato 
family (Solanacese). Its yellowish-green stems are stout, leafy, 
and much forked. The leaves are large, 3 to 8 inches long, thin, 
smooth, pointed at the apex and usually narrowed at the base, irreg- 
vlarly waved and toothed, veiny, dark green on the upper surface 
and paler green beneath. The rather large, showy flowers are pro- _ 
duced from May to September. They are white, funnel shaped, — 
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