426 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



747. TALL RATTLESNAKE-ROOT 



NABALUS TRIFOLIOLATUS Cass. 



Occasional along the edge of the forest in Green's woods by 

 Lost Lake. 



748. GLAUCOUS WHITE-LETTUCE 



NABALUS RACEMOSUS (Michx.) DC. 



Found in flower at the outer edge of the marsh on the east side 

 of Lost Lake outlet, September 18, 1900. There were several plants 

 at that place. 



Family 142. Ambrosiace^e. Ragweed Family 

 749. horseweed; great ragweed 



AMBROSIA TRIFIDA L. 



Not very common ; a few plants seen west of the lake near 

 the railroad, in waste ground south of Culver. A common plant 

 in mucky flats in many parts of northern Indiana. In some 

 parts of the country it reaches an immense size and grows so 

 thickly that it is difficult to make one's way through the dense 

 patches. It thrives especially on prairie soils and rich black land 

 along rivers. Various birds, among them chickadees and English 

 sparrows, feed on the seeds during the winter. 



750. RAGWEED 



AMBROSIA ELATIOR L. 



Common ; scattered almost everywhere except in forests and 

 sedgy lake plains. One of the most common plants of the state. 

 Although botanists in general speak of it as a "pernicious weed" 

 farmers in general regard it with indifference, probably because it 

 is an annual which requires the whole summer to mature, and gives 

 way readily to cultivation. It is only in wet years, when maize and 

 other crops cannot be cultivated well, that it seriously affects culti- 

 vated grounds. It is generally most abundant in crops and stubble 

 of wheat where there has been a poor stand, and in young clover 

 fields and meadows, especially in autumn. Here it is an unmiti- 

 gated nuisance, because cattle eat it, causing the milk to have a 

 decidedly bitter and sickening flavor. Its habit of growing in fal- 

 low ground is regarded by some farmers as a point in its favor, as 

 it shades the ground and a heavy crop of ragweeds is looked upon 

 as a desirable crop to plow under. The woody stems furnish much 

 more humus to the soil than straw. 



