FLORA OF THE UPPER SUSQUEHANNA. 91 



P. Virginianum L. Slender Polygonum. Not uncommon in 

 'woods and thickets. Flowers in a slender terminal raceme; 

 styles persistent, bent downward. Aug. 



P. arifolium L. Halhrrd-leavei) Tear-thumh. Plentiful ex- 

 cept in the Chemung valley where it is rare. Found in low 

 grounds. Angles of the stem with reflexed prickles. 



P. sagittatum L. Arrow leaved Tear-thumb. Abundant in 

 moist places. Well known. 



P. Convolvulus L. Black Blnd-weed. Common in waste 

 grounds, climbing by twining stems. 



P. cilinode Michx. Fringed Bind weed. Ksltq, Graves; Coviile. 

 Sheaths fringed with reflexed hairs. 



P. scandens L. Cli.mhing Buck-wheat. Common along road- 

 sides and in thickets. 



FAGOPYRUM G^rtn. 



F. Fagopyrum (L. ) Karst. Buckwheat. Occasionally persists 

 as a weed in old fields. ( F. esculenttim Moench. ) 



ARISTOLOCHIACE/€. 



ASARUM L. 



A. Canadense L. Wild Ginger. Colt's-foot. Snake-root. 

 Common throughout our range, in rich woods, especially on 

 hillsides. Leaves usually two, kidney-shaped ; flowers single, 

 brownish-purple, close to the earth. The rootstock has a pun- 

 gent, aromatic taste and is said to be a cure for measles and 

 whooping cough. May. * 



LAURACE/E. 



SASSAFRAS Nees & Eherm. 



S. Sassafras (L.) Karst. Sassafras. Common. Found on hill- 

 sides in woods and thickets, most frequently in company with 

 the oak. Flowers yellow, preceding the leaves; drupes blue; 

 young or vigorous leaves ovate, entire ; others with a lobe on 

 one or both sides. The whole plant has a sweetish, aromatic 

 flavor, which is strongest in the root. ( S. officinale Nees.) 



