UMBELLIFEROUS TRIBE. 



277 



In spring the plant is remarkable for the large oval tufts 

 formed by the sheathing base of the stem leaves, which 

 contain the flower buds. This, with many other um- 

 belliferous plants, is often confounded by farmers with 

 Hemlock,, and great pains are taken to eradicate it ; but 

 cattle eat it with impunity, and it is probably a whole- 

 some and nutritive food. It is often very abundant in 

 meadows. FL July. Biennial. 



HERACL^UM SPHONDYLIUM (Common Cow-Pctrsnep, Hog-weed). 



