476 ANNUAL REPORT 



Saponaria vaccaria, L. Cow Herb. Becoming abundant in 

 grain fields in Houston County, Minn. Tlie larger seeds are 

 often found in seed wheat after cleaning. The smaller enter 

 into '^screenings." 



PORTULACEAE. 



Portulaca oleracea, L. Common Purslane. 



This common garden weed with succulent stems and leaves is 

 well known by almost everyone who has had any experience in 

 gardening. This plant ought not to be left in the field or garden 

 when pulled up, as severed parts readily develop into new plants 

 by the formation of roots. It is also a well known weed in Europe. 

 Fendler found it wild in Texas and Nuttall on the Missouri. 

 (Dr. Gray, 2.) Something very near to the common purslane 

 was found by Lind Heimer (Englemann). It has the appearance, 

 however, of being naturalized. 



MALVACEAE. 



Malva rotundifoUa, L. Common Mallow. 



Common around old dwellings, along roadsides, etc. Found 

 in similar places in Europe. 



Abutilon avicennae, Gertn. Indian Mallow. 



It has spread quite rapidly. A few years ago, 1882-83, some 

 straggling specimens were found along roadsides; now it is 

 abundant in gardens and fields, especially where the soil is loose 

 and of a loamy nature, or in loamy drifts. Last summer I found 

 a field in the northern part of La Crosse Co., Wis., where it had 

 completely taken possession. The plant is a native of Asia, and 

 has probably moved northward along the Mississippi River. 

 Baron von Mueller reports it as occurring in Australia. 



GERANIACEAE. 



Oxalis stricta, L. Yellow Wood-sorrel. 



Common in grain fields, not particularly troublesome. 



LEGUMINOSAE. 



Vicia Saliva, L. Common Vetch or Tare. 



It is about the only really troublsome Leguminous plant we 

 have, and, like Corn Cockle, is abundant in grain fields. The 

 seed are somewhat larger than Corn Cockle and smooth. In 

 Europe it is largely used as a forage plant and greatly prized. 

 (Kraft, 1). 



