192 THE VINES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



(Decumaria barbara, Linn.) — A pretty vine as- 

 cending trunks by means of rootlets insinuated into 

 the bark, after the manner of the Poison Vine. The 

 leaves are 3 to 4 inches long, broadly ovate, opposite, 

 rather thick and shining, generall}^ with scattered 

 teeth towards the upper end. The flowers are small, 

 white and fragrant, in showy compound clusters on 

 the ends of the branches, opening in May. This is 

 found in the Lower District only, and is unknown 

 north of this State. 



Wild Ginger. Big Sarsaparilla. (Aristolo- 

 chia Sipho, L'Her.) — Found in rich soils all along 

 our mountain rivulets, climbing over bushes, and 

 sometimes ascending trees. The stems are occasion- 

 ally 2 inches thick. The leaves are roundish, heart- 

 shaped, 8 to 12 inches broad, and slightly downy on 

 the underside. The flower is coarse, brownish-pur- 

 ple, I2 inch long, somewhat tubular, with top cut 

 into three segments, below which it is contracted and 

 curved like a Dutch pipe, from which, in some parts 

 of the United States, it has gotten the name of 

 Dutchman's Pipe, The root is very aromatic and 

 stimulant, like Ginger, and would serve as a medi- 

 cine wdiere these properties are indicated. 



The tAVO remaining genera have naked seeds, which 

 are remarkable for their long feathered tails. 



Virgin's Bower. (Clematis Virginiana, Linn.) 

 —A partly woody vine, 10 to 15 feet long, climbing 

 over thickets and fences. It is found from the coast 

 to the mountains, generally near streams, but is less 



