32 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



broom made of twigs. Possibly the word "broom," itself, 

 may have been derived from the use of the twigs of this plant 

 in besoms. Neither Genista nor Scopariiis are native genera. 

 They have been introduced into America from Europe and 

 have brought their common names with them. A third 

 species of this category is the "furze" {Ule.v Buropcus) which 

 is known as "prickly broom", "thorn broom", "whin" and 

 "gorse". The last term means harsh or bristly and is well 

 applied to this prickly species. The word "furze" is a very 

 early name for this plant. 



The species of legumes that have been named "wild pea" 

 would be difficult to count. The very characteristic shape 

 of the blossoms has made the name appropriate in many in- 

 stances. Among the number is Crotalaria sagittalis, though 

 the inflated pods of this species in which the seeds rattle at 

 the slightest jar make the name of "rattle-box" or "rattle- 

 weed" more appropiate. The plant is also known as "loco- 

 weed" but this term more properly belongs to species of 

 Astragalus especially A. nwllissimus and others of the Wes- 

 tern States which produce a curious condition known as "loco" 

 in the stock that, eat it. "Crazy-weed" is another name for 

 this species given for the same reason. Astragalus crassi- 

 carpuni and A. Mexicanuni and known as "ground plums" 

 or "earth plums" from the fact that the unripe fruits resemble 

 plums and are edible. The fruits are said to be especially 

 relished by prairie dogs. Astragalus crassicarpuui is also 

 known as "buffalo pea", "buffalo bean", and "buffak) apple" 

 because it grows in the region over which the Iniffalo once 

 used to roam. Astragalus Canadensis like A. niollissiuius is 

 also known as "rattle-weed." All the species are known as 

 "milk vetches" though none are known to have a milky juice. 

 Oxytropis hunbcrti should be included here since it has a 



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