CAPER FAMILY 



CAPPARIDACEAE 



CLAMMYWEED 



Polanisia trachysperma T. & G. 



The Caper family is confined mostly to warm regions, 

 only a few species being found in cool temperate climates. 

 Capers, prepared from the young flower buds of one of the 



members of this family, are 



V\V,l^ 





pickled and used in salads. 

 They have a pungent flavor 

 similar to that of many 

 members of the Mustard 

 family. 



This western plant has 

 migrated into Illinois and is 

 found in equal or greater 

 numbers than the lesser-flower- 

 ed species Polanisia graveoley^s 

 Raf. It chooses sandy places, 

 particularly along the ]\Iissis- 

 sippi river and its branches, 

 and along railroads coming 

 in from the west. It is native 

 from this state through 

 Missouri and Texas to Cali- 

 fornia, and through Iowa to British Columbia. 



The Clammyweed is a more or less branching annual, erect 

 or reclining with the summit turned upward, and covered with 

 long-petioled, trifoliate, very clammy leaves which give off a 

 strong unpleasant odor when bruised or handled. The oblong- 

 obtuse leaflets are entire and about i inch long. 



The flowers are in leafy or bracted terminal racemes. The 

 4 sepals are purplish and slightly unequal, and the 4 yellowish 

 white petals are nearly one-half inch in length and have long 

 claws. Stamens are 9-12 with purplish filaments very much 

 exserted, often twice the length of the petals. The single pistil 

 becomes a rough pod i >^ inches long, nearly or quite sessile, 

 erect and containing many rough seeds. 



The other Clammyweed is Polanisia graveolens Raf., separable 

 by means of its flowers; they are half the size of P. trachysperma^ 

 have usually 11 stamens about equaling the yellowish white petals, 

 and a very short style. The pod is slightly stalked and the seeds are 

 smoothish. 



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