330 THE CROWFOOT FAMILY 
102. The vegetative organs compared. Let us begin by 
comparing the marsh-marigold as a type of the family with 
the other representatives here illustrated. This plant we 
Fic. 283.—Christmas Rose and Mouse-tail (Helleborus niger and Myosurus 
minimus. Crowfoot Family, Ranunculacee). 1, Flowering plant of 
Christmas rose, 3}. 2, flowering plant of mouse-tail, 3, with flower, en- 
larged, above. (Kerner.)—The Christmas rose is a perennial herb, - 
about 30 cm. tall; leaves evergreen, glossy; flowers white or pinkish; 
fruit dry. Native home, Europe. The mouse-tail is an annuai with 
greenish flowers and dry fruit. Native to Eurasia, Northern Africa, 
Australia, and North America. 
know to be an herb (see page 198) because the parts above 
ground are too tender and succulent to live through the 
winter. The roots do persist however, and serve as store- 
houses for food which the plant uses in the following spring. 
