UMBELLIFERiE. 15 



no wonderful or very superior properties have been discovered in 

 the plant in Europe or America. Loudon. 



P. quinquefolium. L. Ginseng. Stem divides a foot or 

 less from the ground into three leaf-stalks, usually bearing 5 

 leafets of oval form, serrate, acuminate, smooth ; the flower- 

 stalks shorter than the leaf-stalks. Grows on the hills of Berk- 

 shire County, but not in abundance. Its root is fleshy, long, 

 and tapering, and greatly esteemed by the Chinese for its soothing 

 influence. For its medicinal properties, see Bigelow's " Med- 

 ical Botany." This plant is scattered over a wide range in our 

 country. Flowers in June. 



P. trifoliim. L. Dwarf Groundnut. Stem 3-8 inches 

 high, dividing into 3 parts which are ternate or quinate, and have 

 lance-oblong and serrate leafets, nearly sessile ; an umbel of small 

 white flowers arises at the division of the leaves, on a short foot- 

 stalk ; styles commonly 3 ; following the stem 6 or 8 inches into 

 the earth, you find a round, tuberous root of the size of a small 

 bullet. Spread over the open woods from Canada to Georgia. 

 Difficult to find its Linn^an place, because of its variation in the 

 number of stamens and pistils ; polygamous also ; berry 3-seeded. 

 Flowers in May. 



ORDER 2. UMBELLIFERIE. The Umbelliferous 



Tribe. 



Calyx superior, 5-toothed, or entire ; petals 5, inserted on the 

 germ, with 5 stamens alternating with the petals ; styles 2, on 

 2 united seeds, or 2 seeds adhering by their sides ; flowers 

 form an umbel, and commonly a compound umbel. Stems hollow 

 or fistular, furrowed, and usually with divided leaves. Differ 

 from the Araliaceje in the fruit. 



The plants of this order form many genera, and are spread 

 widely over the world ; grow in all situations, plains, woods, 

 marshes, and are far more numerous in the northern hemi- 

 sphere. They are often very poisonous, and always to be sus- 

 pected until proved ; some are healthful and nutritious, as Carrot, 



