﻿BOTANICAL GAZETTE 



4. Actaea arguta Nutt. in Torr. and Gray, Fl. N.Amer. 1:35. 

 1838. 



Actaea spicata var. arguta Torr. Pacif. R.R. Rep. 4:63. 1856. 

 Actaea rubra var. arguta Greene, Pittonia 2: 108. 1890. 

 Actaea calijornica Greene, Ottawa Nat. 16:36. 1902. 

 This western species differs from A. rubra chiefly in (1) being larger and 

 stouter, (2) having spherical berries; the leaves are also less divided. Its 

 distribution is from British Columbia to Montana, Idaho, the Black Hills of 

 South Dakota, New Mexico, and California. 



A. californica Greene is stated to be very distinct from A. arguta Nutt. 

 in its "rhombic ovate acute petals (commonly 3 or 4), its peculiarly broad 



several from the same rootstock as in A. viridiflora Greene. The description 

 is inadequate to determine the characters. 



So far as can be judged from specimens. A . arguta is not so large or stout 

 as A. rubra var. gigantea. 



4a. Actaea arguta var. eburnea Ckll. in Daniels, Fl. Boulder, 

 Colorado. 119. 191 1. 



Actaea eburnea Rydb. Mem. N.Y. Bot. Gard. 1:153. 1900. 



A . eburnea was described by Rydberg from Montana. It closely resembles 

 A. rubra in size and form of fruit (ellipsoid, 9-12 mm.X6 mm.) and the form of 

 petals, but the berries are perfectly white, the plant taller, leaflets broader 

 and more acuminate, and the teeth sharper. It is nearer to A . arguta in habit, 

 but differs in color and size of fruit and somewhat in the form of the petals. 

 The berries are about 12-seeded, the seeds obliquely pear-shaped, triangular 

 with a rounded back. Its distribution is given as Idaho and Utah to the 

 Black Hills of South Dakota, and also on Mount Mackay, Ontario, and 



4b. Actaea arguta var. alabastrina Lunell, Am. Midland 

 Nat. 2:123. 1911. North Dakota. 



This variety has berries spherical or subspherical, 8-10 mm. in diameter, 

 differing from A. arguta only in color. Apparently it occurs sporadically. 

 It is possible that A. eburnea with ellipsoidal berries should be classed with 

 A . neglecta. It differs from var. alabastrina in the shape of the berries. 



4c. Actaea arguta var. pauciflora, n. var— A forma typica 

 decedit, foliorum supra rare et minutissime pilosa; inflorescentia 

 3-4-flora, bracteis obsoletis, petalis duo ellipticis, paulatim in 

 unguiculam abientibus. 



