WILD FLOWERS WHITE AND GREENISH 



which sometimes starts from the angles of the leaf 

 stems. It is found in rich, open woodlands, from 

 New Brunswick to Georgia, and west to Minnesota 

 and Missouri, during July and August. 



WILD, OR VIRGINIAN SARSAPARILLA. 

 SMALL SPIKENARD. RABBIT=FOOT 



Aralia nudicaulis. Ginseng Family. 



Because the long, creeping, aromatic roots of this 

 plant are very fragrant, they are extensively gathered 

 and sold as a substitute for the genuine article, and so 

 this species has received its common name of Wild 

 Sarsaparilla. Rabbits are said to be very fond of the 

 root, and on this account it has been called Rabbit- 

 foot. It has long been a popular remedy both among 

 the Indians and in domestic practice. The leaf is 

 borne on a single, slender stalk that rises a foot or 

 so in height. It is triply compounded and each part 

 has from three to five pointed-oval parts that are 

 rounded or narrowed at the base and have finely 

 toothed margins. They are gracefully balanced on 

 their three short stems which are set on the top of the 

 leaf stalks. The shorter flower stalk bears several 

 forks, and on the tip of each is set a circular, flat-topped 

 cluster of very small, greenish-white flowers. The 

 five petals of the latter are turned back against the 

 calyx, and expose five stamens. The flowers are 

 succeeded with clusters of shining, globular, purp- 

 lish black fruit. The young leaves are dark and 

 bronzy. Wild Sarsaparilla is found in rich, shady, 



277 



