No. 14.] FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS. I95 



CAULOPHYLLUM Michx. Blue Cohosh. 

 Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. (like Thalictrum, the 



Meadow Rue). 

 Pappoose Root. Squaw-root. Blue Cohosh. Blueberry Root. 



Blueberry. 



Rich rocky woods, especially in moist situations ; some- 

 times in low wooded swamps and openings along the coast. 

 Rare near the coast eastward ; occasional or local elsewhere. 

 May ; fruit Aug. — Oct., and sparingly persistent through the 

 winter. 



The rhizome and roots are of some value medicinally and 

 were formerly officinal. 



BERBERIS L. Barberry. 

 Berberis vulgaris L. (common). 



Common Barberry. European Barberry. Pepperidge Bush. 



Roadsides, fence-rows and pastures. Frequent or locally 

 common southward, especially near the coast ; occasional else- 

 where. May — June; fruit Sept. — Oct., partly persistent 

 through the winter. Naturalized from Europe. 



The acid fruit is used to make a refreshing drink and for 

 preserving. The bark has medicinal properties and has ac- 

 quired local reputation as a spring medicine. Its beauty and 

 other desirable qualities make it worthy of cultivation, espec- 

 ially as a hedge-plant. 



LAURACEAE. LAUREL FAMILY. 



SASSAFRAS Nees. 



Sassafras variifolium (Salisb.) Kuntze (various-leaved). 

 Sassaf)'as officinale Nees & Eberm. 

 Sassafras Sassafras Karst. 

 Sassafras. Saxifrax. Cinnamon-wood. Ague Tree. 



Frequent. Dry or moist woods, thickets and fence-rows, 

 and on rocky hillsides. May — mid-June; fruit Sept. 



The wood is aromatic, rather soft and brittle, but durable 

 in contact with the soil. The root-bark is medicinal and is 

 used as an ingredient of root beer. It furnishes a volatile oil 

 of agreeable odor and taste, used for flavoring candy, soap, 



