492 ANGIOSPERMS 
weeds that are poisonous. The Horse Nettle (Solanum caro- 
linense) (Fig. 442) is troublesome on account of its spiny stems, 
and it has a deep rootstock, which is difficult to eradicate. 
Another troublesome weed of this family is the Buffalo Bur 
(Solanum rostratum) (Fig. 
448), which has spiny fruits 
that catch into the wool and 
hair of livestock. 
The Madder Family 
(Rubiaceae). — This is one 
of the largest families of the 
Dicotyledons. There are 
more than 4000 species be- 
longing to this family, but 
the majority of them are 
tropical They include 
herbs, shrubs, and _ trees. 
Their flowers are epigynous, 
and the stamens and lobes 
of the calyx and corolla 
are the same in number 
(usually 4-5). 
The Coffee tree (Fig. 444), 
Fic. 443.— A plant of the Buffalo which is grown extensively 
Bur bearing flowers and fruits, showing jn Brazil, Arabia, and Java, 
the character of the plant (x75); anda . : 
single flower, showing the prickly calyx is the most important plant 
and gamopetalous corolla. After Dewey. of the family. The fruit 
(Fig. 445) of the Coffee tree 
is a cherry-like drupe containing two seeds, and these seeds are 
the coffee of commerce. The Cinchona tree, growing wild in 
the Andes and cultivated in India, furnishes Cinchona bark 
from which quinine is made. 
Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae). — This family includes the 
Gourds, Pumpkins, Squashes, Melons, and Cucumbers. The 
flowers are epigynous, and the plants are monoecious or dioecious 
(Fig. 6). The stamens are usually more or less united. In 
our region there are only a few species of this family and none 
of much importance except those mentioned above. 
Composite Family (Compositae). — This is an immense fam- 
ily and is of world-wide distribution. It is the highest group 
