WILD FLOWERS OF NEW YORK II5 



the apex. Flowering stems appearing from different rootstocks, bearing 

 one to three, usually two, similar leaves (rarely leaflets). Flowers i| to 2 

 inches broad, white, fragrant, on stout, nodding peduncles one-half to 2 

 inches long, appearing from the base of the upper leaf or usually from the 

 fork between the two leaves; sepals six, petallike and soon falling. Petals 

 six to nine, flat, obovate, longer than the sepals; stamens twice as many as 

 the petals. Ovary ovoid, forming in fruit a large, yellowish, ovoid, edible 

 berry, i^ to 2 inches long, the numerous seeds inclosed in fleshy arils within 

 the fruit. 



In low woods, moist banks and clearings, western Quebec and southern 

 Ontario to Alinnesota, Kansas, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Flowering 

 in May and June. 



The fruit is edible and harmless, although somewhat insipid and to 

 many people its taste is disagreeable. Both foliage and root are said to 

 be poisonous and serious results have followed the use of the leaves as 

 greens. The root is a violent purgative, resembling jalap in its action. 

 Its popular name, Mandrake, relates it in no way to the Mandrake or 

 Mandragora of the ancients and, notwithstanding its poisonous character 

 it is a very respectable herb in comparison with the traditions of the 

 Mandrake of the ancients, described as flourishing best imder a gallows, 

 with a root resembling a man in shape, uttering terrible shrieks when it 

 was torn from the ground, and possessing the power of transforming men 

 and beasts. 



Twin-leaf 

 Jeffersonia diphylla (Linnaeus) Persoon 



Figure XVIII 



A smooth, perennial, fibrous-rooted plant, 6 to 8 inches high when in 

 flower, later becoming 10 to 18 inches high. Leaves and flowering stems 

 arising from a scaly base. Leaves glaucous beneath, long petioled, cordate 

 or renifomi, 3 to 6 inches long, 2 to 4 inches wide when mature, parted 

 longitudinally into two obliqviely ovate, blunt, lobed or entire divisions; 

 lobes rounded with sinuses sometimes three-fourths of an inch deep. At 



