WEEDS OF THE MALLOW FAMILY. 



97 



Common in dry, upland, clayey soils in the southern two-thirds 

 of the State, occurring especially along pasture pathways and road- 

 sides and in dooryards and barnyards where the ground is com- 

 pact. April-Nov. An emigrant 

 from the south, this is fast becom- 

 ing a common wayside weed. Often 

 trampled upon by man and beast it 

 yet survives and perpetuates its 

 kind. Scrawny and rough in form 

 it exemplifies a life of bitter strug- 

 gle. Like the wire-grass, bravely 

 it fights its way, raising its head 

 with new vigor after being pressed 

 closely to earth by many a passer-by. 

 Remedies : cutting plants when they 

 begin to blossom; in gardens, etc., 

 cultivating with hoed crops. 



Fig. 63. Showing flower and fruit. (After 

 Britton and Brown.) 



CO. ABUTILON ABUTILON L. Velvet Leaf. 

 Indian Mallow. Butter Print 

 American Jute. (A. I. 1.) 

 Stout, erect, 3-6 feet high, densely clothed with short, soft hairs; 



leaves long-stalked, heart-shaped, pointed, 4-12 inches wide. Flowers 



yellow, solitary in the axils of the 



small upper leaves. Pods 12-15, 



pubescent, arranged in a circle to 



form a head 1 inch in diameter ; when 



ripe opening at the apex which is 



split to form two short beaks. Seeds 



numerous, kidney-shaped, dark gray, 



i inch across. (Fig. 64.) 



Very common in gardens and 

 cultivated fields, especially those 

 of rich lowland soils in which 

 corn and potatoes are grown. 

 July-Oct. The leaves are in 

 shape and size like those of the 

 linn tree but are soft velvety in 

 texture, hence the common name. 

 The carpels or single pods are 

 separated from each other by 

 deep lengthwise grooves and the 

 appearance of the ripe head has 

 been aptly likened to that of a 



Fig. 64. Showing flowers and circle of fruits. 

 (After Vasey.) 



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