MENISPERMUM 51 



A genus of about three species, one in eastern North America the 

 others in eastern Asia. 



Menispermum canadense Linne 1753 Moonseed 



A vine climbing over bushes or fences, 2-4 meters (6-12 ft.) in 

 length ; stems slightly pubescent ; leaves on long slender petioles, cordate 

 and entire or variously 3-7 lobed or angled, mostly peltate near the mar- 

 gin, glabrate above, pubescent beneath, 6-17 cm. long, 7-29 cm. broad; 

 flowers in loose panicles, greenish white; drupe oblong, bluish black; 

 seed crescent-shaped : canadense, Canadian. 



In woods and along hillsides and streams. Rather common thruout 

 the state, especially southward. Distributed from western Quebec and 

 western New England to Manitoba and south to Ga. and Ark. 



(The long slender bitter yellow root is used by the Sioux as medicine, 

 being called Pejuta zizi; and from this the name of Pejuta Zizi, or 

 yellow medicine river. T. M. Young.) 



Flowers in June and July, fruits in autumn. 



Caryophyllales Pink Order 



Tamaricaceae Tamarisk Family 



Trees or shrubs with alternate scale-like leaves; flowers regular, per- 

 fect, in catkins; sepals 4-5, petals separate, 4-5, stamens 4-5, or many; 

 fruit a capsule with many small hairy seeds. 



