Rural School Leaflet 



1293 



are said to have used the leaves as an application for burns, and the 

 Bohemians are said to use the blossoms for inducing sleep. 



3. Virginia creeper, American ivy, woodbine, false grape, wild wood vine 

 (Psedera quinquefolia, [L.] Greene). The Virginia creeper is a member of 

 a new family, the vine family. It is not a particularly poisonous plant, 

 but the fruits, which appear tempting, often cause a severe sickness if 

 eaten. As is suggested by the names, the plant is a climber. The 

 characteristic leaves are composed of five leaflets radiating from a common 

 stem, or petiole. The fruit is dark blue or black, globular, and borne 

 in abruptly angled clusters. The plant is very common and is generally 





tensively as a 

 and as a deco- 



apple, stramony, 

 Stramonium, L.) . 

 ber of the night- 



known, since it is used ex- 

 cover for unsightly landmarks 

 ration for porches. 



4. Jimson weed, thorn 

 Jamestown weed (Datura 

 Jimson weed is another mem- 

 shade family. Like the black 

 nightshade, it is not a climber. 

 The leaves are large and are U 

 shaped much like the leaf of 

 the red oak, although they 

 thicker and are usually perforated with 

 holes. They are deep green above and 

 pale green beneath. The flowers are large, 

 funnel-shaped, and of a creamy white color. 

 The capsule, or fruit, is coated with prickles 

 and resembles somewhat the capsule of a 

 poppy. The whole plant is poisonous, and 

 if the leaves or fruit are eaten they cause 

 a sort of foolish insanity. Death often fol- 

 lows. One of the antidotes against the poison is licorice root. Jimson 

 weed is rather commonly found in gardens and waste places, especially 

 where the ground is low. (See page 1291.) 



In connection with the last three plants mentioned, it may be of interest 

 to know that the potato, tomato, eggplant, and tobacco belong to the 

 same family. 



Members of the parsley family. — The members of the parsley family 

 are variable in their effect on the human race. Many, as the carrot, 

 parsnip, parsley, and caraway, are cultivated for culinary purposes, 

 while others are deadly poisonous. In general the members of this family 

 may be described as herbs with alternate compound leaves and with 

 small flowers usually collected in compound umbels. In a compound 



Nightshade (Bittersweet) 



