BERBERIDACEAE 11 



1. C. thalictroides, MX. Leaves compound, the lower one 

 triternate, the upper biternate; leaflets cuneate-obovate, mostly 

 S-lobed ; panicle racemose, from the base of the upper petiole. 

 Leontice thalictroides, L. and FL Ceslr. ed. 2. p. 213. 

 THALICTRUM-LIKE CAULOPHYLLUM. Blue Cohosh. Pappoose-root. 



Plant glabrous, purplish and glaucous when young. Stem 12 to 18 inches high, 

 generally 2-leaved. Lower leaf mostly triternate (bearing 27 leaflets), upper one 

 biternate (bearing 9 leaflets) ; leaflets 2 to 3 inches long. Flowers yellowish-green. 

 Seeds with a fleshy integument, and a solid horny albumen, deep blue at maturity. 

 Hob. Rich woodlands : frequent. Fl. April. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. This curious plant was one of the numerous articles of the 

 aboriginal materia medica, now fallen into neglect. Though nearly 

 allied to the Leontice, of Europe, I entirely concur with Prof. A. 

 GRAY, that it may "very probably resume its generic rank"; and 

 have accordingly acted upon the suggestion. 



f f Anthers not opening by uplifted valves. 



1?. PODOPHYI/L.UM. L. 



[Gr. Pous,podos, a foot, and Phytton, a leaf; the leaf resembling a web foot.] 

 Sepals 6, thin and caducous, not expanding, subtended by 3 cadu- 

 cous bracts. Petals 6 to 9. Stamens 12 to 18 ; anthers linear-oblong, 

 adnate, opening lengthwise, as by a laterally-hinged valve. Ovary 

 1 -celled, crowned by a thick peltate undulate-crested stigma. Berry 

 oval, pulpy, many-seeded. 



1. P. peltatum, L. Leaves peltate, deeply lobed, terminal, in 

 opposite pairs or solitary ; flower solitary, dichotomal. 

 PELTATE PODOPHYLLUM. May apple. Hog apple. 



Rhizoma creeping. Stem 8 to 12 inches high, 1- or 2-leaved at summit. Leaves 

 4 to 6 inches in diameter, 5- or 7-lobed. Flower white, rather large, appearing 

 only on the 2-leaved plants, on a curved peduncle in the fork of the petioles. Berry 

 yellowish. 

 Hob. Woodlands, and meadows : common. Fl. May. Fr. August. 



Obs. The rhizoma possesses cathartic properties; and affords, 

 when dried and pulverized, a tolerable substitute for Jalap. 



ORDER VI. CABOMBACEAE. 



Aquatic herbs, like water-lilies, but the flowers composed of fewer parts, and defi- 

 nite in number; the parts all distinct and separate; seeds albuminous. 



18. BRASEVNIA, Schreber. 

 [The derivation of this name seems to be unknown.] 



Sepals 3 or 4, oblong, colored inside, persistent. Petals as many as 

 the sepals, and alternate with them, persistent. Stamens 12 to 36 ; 

 anthers innate. Pistils 4 to 18, capitate-crowded. Ovary 1 -celled; 

 ovules 2. Carpels oblong or obovoid, coriaceous, indehiscent, 1- or 

 2-seeded; seeds pendulous, from the dorsal suture! Perennial. 

 Leaves alternate. 



1. B. iM'llala, Pursh. Leaves oval, entire, centrally peltate, 

 floating on petioles of various length. 

 Hydropeltis purpurea. MX. and Fl. Cestr. ed. 2. p. 601. 

 PELTATE BRASENIA. Water-shield. 



Plant purplish green, the parts in the water very slimy. Stem 1 to several feet 

 long, according to the depth of water. Leaves 2 to 4 inches in the longest diameter 



