CROWFOOT FAMILY 



The names Hepatica and Liverwort hark back to 

 the age of the simpler and echo the doctrine of signa- 

 tures. In mediaeval medical practice it was believed 

 that every disease could be cured by some plant; 

 moreover, that this plant was indicated by a real or 

 fancied resemblance between a given part and the 

 organ diseased. As the leaf of the Hepatica is three- 

 lobed it suggested the liver; thence the plant was 

 considered a specific for diseases of that organ. 



^ EARLY MEADOW-RUE 



Thalidrutn dioicum 



Thalidrum — derivation unknown. 



Perennial. Noticeable for its tufts of beautiful fern- 

 like leaves. In rich, open woods. Labrador to Alabama, 

 west to Minnesota and Missouri. Abundant in northern 

 Ohio. April, May. 



Stem. — Branching, one to two feet high. 



Stem-leaves. — Alternate, twice to thrice compound; the 

 leaflets slightly drooping, rounded; margins somewhat 

 scalloped; petioles dilated at base; basal leaves the same. 



Flowers. — Dioecious. Staminate flowers are clusters of 

 drooping tassels of slender filaments, bearing anthers full 

 of pollen; each flower has four or five greenish sepals, 

 but no corolla and no pistil. Pistillate flowers are upon a 

 different plant and these consist of clusters of pistils 

 grouped four or more together; each flower has four or 

 five greenish sepals, but no corolla and no stamens. 



Fruit. — Pistils ripen into ovoid, pointed akenes. 

 Pollinated chiefly by the wind. 



The Early Meadow-Rue loves to place itself along a 

 woodland path; possibly the bit of sunshine permitted 



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