CLASSIFICATION OF ANGIOSPERMS. 529 



Fig. 293. Poke weed {Phytolacca decandra), a common weed growing in low grounds 

 and waste places. The plant is a perennial herb, usually sending up from a large, fleshy 

 root a number of stout stalks, i to 3 M. high; the leaves are ovate-oblong, and opposite which 

 may arise the racemes of whitish flowers. The roots are quite frequently .mistaken for 

 parsnips, and when eaten may cause serious illness. The young shoots and leaves are 

 sometimes gathered in the spring and may be used for a table vegetable. The juice of the 

 berries is said to have been used in Portugal to color Port wine. — After Brown. 



very many of them having fleshy leaves and adapted to arid re- 

 gions. Many of the plants, particularly those belonging to the 

 genus M esembryantliemum, are much prized on account of their^ 

 34 



