WEEDS OP THE CROWFOOT FAMILY. 



81 



shaped, long-stalked, toothed or eremite; stem leaves sessile, divided into 

 8-5 oblong or linear lobes. Flowers very small ; petals yellow, oblong, 



shorter than the reflexed lobes of calyx. 



Head of fruit globose. 



Common in moist soil, in woods, 

 meadows, gardens, lawns and culti- 

 vated fields. March-Sept. Espe- 

 cially troublesome to strawberry 

 growers and owners of well kept 

 lawns. Remedies: pulling and hoe 

 cutting; drainage; thorough culti- 

 vation. 



The hooked crowfoot (R. rccur- 

 vatus Poir.), having the kidney - 

 shaped leaves all lobed and divided, 

 the plant more or less pubescent and 

 the beaks of the achenes strongly 

 hooked, is also common in woods and 

 pastures. The tall or meadow but- 

 tercup (R. acris L., Fig. 47), with 

 the flowers large, showy yellow, 1 

 inch broad, calyx spreading and 

 roots fibrous, occurs frequently in moist meadows and pastures and 

 is in some States a pernicious weed. Its juice is very acrid and 

 stock give it a wide range. Remedies the same. 



THE MUSTARD FAMILY. CRUCIFER.E. 



Herbs, mostly annual or biennial, with a pungent peppery 

 juice; leaves alternate, usually narrow and deeply lobed, often 

 forming a rosette at the surface of the ground, from which spring 

 the slender flow r er-bearing stems. Flowers usually in racemes, 

 white or yellow in color ; sepals 4 ; petals 4, generally narrowed at 

 base arid placed opposite each other in pairs; stamens usually 6 T 

 4 long, 2 short; pistils 1, 2-celled. Fruit a silique which varies 

 greatly in form and size and bears numerous seeds. (Fig. 14, i.) 



About 55 species of the family are known from the State, most 

 of which are weeds. They may usually be easily recognized by the 

 sepals and petals being in fours, in opposite pairs, thus forming a 

 cross whence the family name Cruc-ifcrrp. On the long racemes 

 the flowers are issually to be found in all stages, from the unopened 

 buds above to the ripened seed-pods below. When crushed the 

 foliage often gives off a decided odor, Those which are weeds 



Fig. 47. Tall or meadow buttercup. (After 

 Vasey.) 



Jr.] 



