DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS 85 
spines. Flowers pale yellow, in drooping racemes. Stamens irrita- 
ble, closing quickly toward the center of the flower when touched. 
Berry 3 in. long, nearly ellipsoidal in shape, scarlet or orange-scarlet, 
very acid, eatable when cooked. Cultivated from Europe and intro- 
duced in eastern New England and locally in the upper Mississippi 
valley. ; 
2. B. Thunbergii, DC. A low shrub. Leaves entire, turning 
red and remaining so for a considerable time in autumn. Flowers 
solitary or in pairs. Berries bright red, remaining on the branches 
all winter. Cultivated from Japan. 
II. CAULOPHYLLUM, Michx. 
A perennial smooth herb, 1-24 ft. high. Leaf large, single, 
sessile, thrice compound in threes, borne high up on the stem ; 
there is also a large, very compound radical leaf. Flowers 
racemed or panicled, yellowish-green. Sepals 6, with 3 bract- 
lets. Petals 6, gland-like, somewhat curved inward at the 
tip, much smaller than the sepals. Pistil 2-ovuled, the ovary 
soon bursting open and leaving the 2 blue seeds to ripen naked. 
1. C. thalictroides, Michx. Biur Conosn, PAppoosE Roor. 
Whole plant purplish and covered with a bloom when young. 
Flowers appearing before the leaf is fully developed. Rich woods. 
Ill. PODOPHYLLUM, L. 
Perennial. Stem simple, smooth, erect, 12-15 in. tall, bear- 
ing 2 leaves with a large white flower between them. Sepals 
6, falling off as the flower opens. Petals 6-9, obovate. Sta- 
mens twice as many as the petals. Pistil 1, stigma large, flat, 
sessile. Fruit berry-like, 1-celled, many-seeded.* 
1. P. peltatum, L. May-Appire. Rootstock rather large. Leaves 
orbicular, shield-shaped, 5—9-lobed and toothed, smooth, 9-12 in. 
wide. Flowers 1-2 in. wide, on a peduncle 1-2 in. long. Stamens 
prominent, anthers opening longitudinally. Fruit 13-2 in. long, 
oval, fragrant, edible ; each seed surrounded by a pulpy covering. 
In rich woods. The roots and leaves are used in medicine.* 
34. MAGNOLIACEZ. MaGno.ria FAMILY. 
Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, not toothed or serrate. 
Flowers solitary, large, and showy. Floral envelopes and 
