MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 109 
caution. The young shoots taken when the size of ordinary 
asparagus stalks are said to be delicious and very nutritious. They 
should be put into cold water, which, after coming to a boil, should 
be replaced by fresh water, and well drained before serving. 
Polemonium reptans, Greek valerian. 
Portulaca oieracea, pursiane. 
Radicula aquatica, lake water cress. 
Radicula Armoracia, horseradish. 
Radicula palustris, yellow water cress. 
Rumex Acetosella, sheep sorrel, 
Rumex crispus, curled dock. 
The above plants were used as potherbs. 
Scirpus validus, great bulrush. 
This was without question one of the most important food plants 
of the American savage and frontiersman, having often saved them 
from starvation. It is distributed over thousands of square miles 
in the marshes along the coast on both oceans and at the gulf and 
borders of the lakes and rivers throughout North America. The 
young shoots are eaten raw and are crisp, juicy, sweetish, and very 
nourishing. Even after the shoots are several feet high and in 
bloom the succulent bases may he chewed. They can also he 
cooked. 
Scrophularia marilandica, figwort. 
Sisymbrium altissimum, tall sisymbrium. 
Sisymbrium officinale, hedge mustard. 
Sonchus asper, spiny sow thistle. 
Sonchus oleraceus, sow thistle. 
Specularia perfoliata, Venus’ looking-glass. 
Taraxacum officinale, dandelion. 
All the above plants were used as potherbs. 
PLANTS FOR BEVERAGES 
In addition to the commonly known elder, dandelion, cherry, and 
grape, from which wines are made, the following are, or have been, 
used for domestic beverages: 
Benzoin aestivale, spice-bush. Tea made of twigs. 
Ceanothus americanus, New Jersey tea. Tea made from leaves. 
Cichorium Intybus, chicory. Substitute for coffee. 
