250 



APETALODS EXOGENS 



efdwded fascicles, sometimes imperfect; pedicels 1 to 2 lines long, obscurely arti- 

 culated above the middle. Akenes equally triquetrous, smooth, dark brown, often 

 etriately clouded. 

 Hob. Fields. Nat. of Asia. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. Extensively cultivated for its seeds, the farinaceous albu- 

 men of which affords a savory article of food, in winter, when 

 properly managed. The English Botanists speak of it merely as 

 "an excellent food for poultry"; but, in Pennsylvania, we have 

 amended the statement, by substituting People for "Poultry." 

 The glandular nectariferous flowers are a favorite resort of the 

 Honey-Bee. 



353. RIPMEX, L. 



[The ancient Latin name ; which seems to be of undetermined meaning.] 

 Flowers sometimes dioicous: Calyx of 6 sepals, the 3 inner ones 

 larger, valvately connivent, often bearing a grain-like tubercle on 

 the back. Stamens 6, in pairs opposite the outer sepals. Styles 3 ; 

 stigmas pencil-tufted. Akene triquetrous, free, not winged ; embryo 

 slightly curved, lying along one side of the albumen. Coarse peren- 

 nials: petioles somewhat sheathing at base ; flowers mostly green, 

 verticillate, in paniculate racemes. 



f Flowers perfect. * Inner sepals entire, and all 3 graniferous. 



1. R. crispus, L. Radical leaves lance-oblong, rather acute, wavy 

 or curled on the margin ; verticils crowded. 

 CURLED RUMEX. Sour Dock. Curled i'ock. 



(Stem 2 to 4 feet high, sulcate-angled, smoothish^somewhat paniculately branched 

 above. Radical leaves 8 to 12 or 15 inches long, and 1 to 2 or 3 inches wide ; petioles 

 2 to 4 inches in length ; stemrleaves smaller, linear-lanceolate. Flowers in crowded 

 verticillate fascicles, with scarious involucres at base; inner sepals much larger 

 than the outer ones, entire or obsoletely denticulate near the base, each with an 

 ovoid acuminate excrescence, or grain, on the back. 

 Hob. Moist grounds. Nat. of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July. 



Obs. The Docks, of this County, are all homely troublesome 

 weeds, and are extensively naturalized on the grounds of slovenly 

 farmers. The radical leaves of this species are often used as a pot- 

 herb, or early " Greens." 



* * Inner sepals dentate, one principally graniferous. 



. R. obtusifdlius, L. Radical leaves subcordate-oblong, obtuse, 

 crenulate; verticils loose and rather distant. 

 OBTUSE-LEAVED RUMEX. Bitter Dock. Broad-leaved Dock. 



Stem 2 to 4 feet high, sulcate-angled, roughish, paniculately branched. Radical 

 leaves 8 to 12 inches long, and 4 to 6 inches wide; petioles 3 to 6 inches long. 

 Flowers in interrupted verticillate fascicles; inner sepals with long acute teeth 

 near the base, and one of them bearing a large grain on the back. 

 Hob. Meadows, &c. Nat. of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. Aug. 



ft Flowers dioicous, finally purple; sepals not graniferous. 



3. R. Acetosella, L. Lower leaves lanceolate-hastate, the lobes 

 acute, spreading ; inner sepals entire. 

 Sheep Sorrel. Field Sorrel. 



