CAPER FAMILY CAPPARIDACEAE 
CLAMMYWEED 
Polanisia trachysperma T. & G. 
The Caper family is confined mostly to warm regions, 
only a few species being found in cool temperate climates. 
Capers, prepared from the young flower buds of one of the 
members of this family, are 
pickled and used in salads. 
They have a pungent flavor 
similar to that of many 
members of the Mustard 
family. 
This western plant has 
migrated into Illinois and is 
found in equal or greater 
numbers than the lesser-flower- 
ed species Polanisia graveolens 
Raf. It chooses sandy places, 
particularly along the Missis- 
sippi river and its branches, 
and along railroads coming 
in from the west. It is native 
from this state through 
Missouri and Texas to Cali- 
fornia, and through Iowa to British Columbia. 
The Clammyweed is a more or less branching annual, erect 
or reclining with the summit turned upward, and covered with 
long-petioled, trifoliate, very clammy leaves which give off a 
strong unpleasant odor when bruised or handled. The oblong- 
obtuse leaflets are entire and about 1 inch long. 
The flowers are in leafy or bracted terminal racemes. The 
4 sepals are purplish and slightly unequal, and the 4 yellowish 
white petals are nearly one-half inch in length and have long 
claws. Stamens are g-12 with purplish filaments very much 
exserted, often twice the length of the petals. The single pistil 
becomes a rough pod 1% inches long, nearly or quite sessile, 
erect and containing many rough seeds. 
The other Clammyweed is Polanisia graveolens Raf., separable 
by means of its flowers; they are half the size of P. trachysperma, 
have usually 11 stamens about equaling the yellowish white petals, 
and a very short style. The pod is slightly stalked and the seeds are 
smoothish, 
136 
