GRASSES OP IOWA. 459 



Two weeds of the morning glory family are common in this 

 state. One, the common European bind-weed {Convolvulus 

 arvensis), is common ii Missouri and Illinois, and is 

 gradually making its way into Iowa. The writer has 

 observed it for several years in a meadow near Ames. The 

 common morning glory (Convolvulus sepiuin), is very closely 

 allied to the European morning glory, and is common in low 

 meadows where it has long been known as a persistent, 

 troublesome weed. It differs from the European bind-weed in 

 its much larger flowers and its longer twining stem. Not only 

 does it shut out the light from the grass around which it 

 grows, but it renders the hay less valuable. There is no 

 method of exterminatmg this weed except in cultivated fields 

 and then it needs the most careful attention. It must be taken 

 up root and all or it will not subside. 



Another common weed of low meadows is milk-weed (Ascle- 

 pias cornuti). This has a deep, perennial root, opposite, oblong 

 leaves which are soft and velvety on the lower side. The 

 flowers are borne in large unbels, having twenty or forty in 

 each cluster. They are light purple in color. The fruit is 

 what is known as a follicle and two or three of these occur 

 in one cluster, each folhcle having hundreds of seeds. 



Another troublesome weed; in places, is the horse nettle 

 {Solarium carol inense), which spreads not only by its roots but by 

 seed as well. It is a deep rooting perennial which j^ropagates 

 freely by its u'-derground roos-stocks. These r.:ot-stocks are 

 oft n three feet long. The character of the plant is well 

 shown in the accompanying cut. The corolla is light blue or 

 white, and resembles that of the potato.* 



A plant allied to thg above is the buffalo burr {Solanum ros- 

 tratum), which is an annual, growing from one to two feet 

 high but very bushy in its habits. Buffalo burr is a prickly, 

 hoary plant with greenish yellow somewhat divided leaves 

 and bur-like berries. The flowers are yellow. This plant 

 only grows in open places in the meadow, and would not occur 

 if the meadow wera kept in the right condition. f 



Cowbane (Cicuta maculata). This plant belongs to the same 

 family as the carrot, parsnip and celery and is a frequent 

 inhabitant of low meadows in this state. It is easily recog- 

 nized by its white flowers borne in umbels. The roots of this 



• Pammel, Bull. la. Agr. Exp. 9ta. 42:130 

 ■♦• Pammel. Bull. la. Agr Exp Sta. 28. 



