WEEDS OP THE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY. 



69 



found with those of clover, but are easily separated by proper screen- 

 ing. Remedies, same as for the preceding. 



25. Polygonum sagittatum L, Arrow-leaved Tear-thumb. (A. N. 3.) 



Stem weak, 2-5 feet long, decumbent or climbing by recurved prickles 

 which are numerous along its tour angles; leaves arrow-shaped, pointed, 

 nearly sessile, the stalks and midribs prickly. Flowers in dense terminal 

 heads ; sepals pale red with whitish margins, not, keeled. Seeds triangular, 

 dark red, smooth, shining, J inch long. (Figs. 8, c; 3G.) 



Borders of ditches, ponds and moist places generally. July- 

 Oet. Mowers and haymakers in low ground are familiar with this 

 weed, its sharp prickles being a sufficient excuse for its common 

 name. Remedies : mowing and burning before the seeds ripen ; 

 draining and cultivation. The halberd-leaved tear-thumb (P. ari- 

 folium L.), differing in the leaves being hastate and the seeds' lens- 

 shaped, occurs with the preceding but is much less common. 



The GoosEgooT Family.— CHENOPODIACEtE. 



Annual or perennial weed-like or homely herbs, with mostly 

 alternate leaves. Flowers small, greenish, very numerous, variously 

 clustered but usually in panicled spikes or solitary in the axils of 

 the leaves; petals none; calyx 2-5 parted; stamens as many as or 

 fewer than the lobes of the calyx and opposite them; ovary free 



from the calyx, 1-celled, 1-seeded. 

 Fruit a utricle, the seed-vessel be- 

 ing surrounded by a loose, thin 

 wall or bladder-like sac. (Fig. 

 14, d.) 



Only about 16 species of the 

 family grow wild in Indiana, but 

 among them are several weeds 

 which are rapidly spreading or 

 occur throughout the State. The 

 beet and spinach are cultivated 

 members of the family. The com- 

 mon name, ' ' goosef oot, ' ' refers to 

 the shape of the leaves. 



26. Chenopodium album L. Lamb's 

 Quarters. White Goose-foot. 

 Pigweed. (A. I. 1.) 

 Stem pale green, often striped 

 with purple, erect, usually much 

 Fig. 37. (After Vasey.) branched, 1-8 inches tall; lower 



leaves ovate, toothed or lobed; upper lanceolate, often entire; all white- 



