128 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



fields where it abounds. On well-managed farms, however, the plant is 

 becoming somewhat rare. 



6. R. villo'sus, Ait. Stem fructicose, erect, 

 angular, branching, armed with stout curved 

 prickles ; young branches and peduncles 

 gland ular-villous ; leaves 3-ibliolate or pe- 

 dately 5-foliolate ; leaflets ovate or lance- 

 oblong, villous beneath, the petioles* and 

 midribs aculeate ; racemes elongated, many- 

 flowered. 



YILLOUS RUBUS. Blackberry. Common 

 Brier. Bramble. 



Fr. La Ronce. Germ. Der Brombeerstrauch. 

 Span. Zarza. 



Root creeping. Stem 3-6 or 8 feet high, stout, ridged or angular and somewhat fur- 

 rowed. Leaflets 2-3 or 4 inches long, mostly acute. Racemes rather large, sometimes 

 leafy. Petals white. Fruit ovoid-oblong or cylindric sometimes near an inch long 

 changing from green to red or purplish, and finally black when mature 



Old fields, thickets and borders of woods : throughout the United States. Fl. May 

 Fr. July - Aug. 



Obs. Every one knows the common Brier. The root, both of this and 

 the preceding, being moderately astringent, is a popular remedy for 

 diarrhoea and mild dysentery. The ripe fruit affords a pleasant jam, 

 which is also considered salutary in such cases. Even the knots which 

 are formed on the branches, from the puncture of insects, were formerly 

 carried by credulous simpletons, as a sort of amulet or charm against the 

 tooth-ache ! The plant, nevertheless, is often something of a nuisance on 

 our farms, from its tendency to spread and take possession of neglected 

 fields. This plant varies considerably in habit and in hairiness, some 

 forms being nearly prostrate, while others form erect bushes. The size 

 and shape of the fruit varies exceedingly ; apparently attaining its 

 greatest perfection near the sea-shore. Latterly, considerable attention 

 has been given to the cultivation of some of the finer varieties of this 

 plant. The kind known as the " Lawton" or " New Rochelle Blackberry," 

 is a splendid fruit, and is now becoming abundant in the markets of our 

 cities. It is worthy of the attention of every fruit-grower. 



7. R. cuneifo'lius, Pursh. Stem subterete ; branches pubescent ; leaves 

 cuneate-obovate, sub-plicate, tomentose beneath ; racemes few-flowered. 

 WEDGE-LEAVED RUBUS. Sand Blackberry. 



Stem 3-5 feet high, branched. Leaflets mostly ternate, 1-2 inches long, cuneate, and 

 obtuse with a short abrupt acumination ; common petioles half an inch to an inch in length. 

 Flowers sometimes tinged with red. Fruit oval, about half an inch long, black when 

 mature, succulent and well flavored. 



New Jersey and southward. 



FIG. 85. Fruit of the Blackberry [Rubus villosus], divided to show that it is mado up of 

 numerous small drupes, adhering to the receptacle. 



