AROIDE^. 219 



Except the Cat Tail, this genus has little value. The first 

 species is spread extensively over Europe and Asia ; the second 

 is found in England, and also in New Holland. 



Sparganium. L. 19. 3. 

 From the Greek, for band, on account of its ribbon-shaped 

 leaves; only a few species. Flowers in a globose head; se- 

 pals 3-6. 



S. ramosum. Sm. Burr Reed. Stem a foot or more high, 

 round, rarely straight, with barren flowers towards the top, and 

 the fertile below, and both at little distances along the stem ; 

 leaves nearly radical, triangular towards the base, and sword-form 

 upwards ; fruit in a dense, large, globose, burr-like head, which 

 separates it from the other reeds ; July. 



S. angustifolium. Mx. Narrow and long leafed, lightly float- 

 ing on the surface of water ; vicinity of Boston. 



S. Jlmericanum. Nutt. Lake Burr Reed. Grows near 

 New Bedford, in ponds ; stem nearly simple, much like the first 

 species. 



None of these species have been employed for any valuable 

 purpose. 



ORDER 256. AROIDEiE. Arum, or Wild Turnip, 



Tribe. 



Stamens and pistils in separate flowers on a spadix ; perianth 

 often wanting, or of 4 or 6 divisions ; ovary superior, 1 -celled ; 

 fruit succulent or dry ; leaves sheathing at the base ; spadix com- 

 monly in a spathe. 



These plants abound in tropical regions ; in temperate regions 

 relatively rare. 



A very acrid substance is contained in most of the species, and 

 sometimes they are very poisonous. This property is destroyed 

 by roasting the roots, and they are then healthful, pleasant, and 

 nutrititious ; at least some of them. One species yields one 



