MUSTARD FAMILY. 



CRUCIFER^. 

 Toothwort. Dentaria laciniata. 



Crinkle-root. 

 Pepper-root. 



Found in flower, on the edge of thickets, in May. 



A single stalk grows to the height of 6 or 7 inches ; it is smooth, 

 round, and juicy ; light green. 



The compound leaf is very deeply 3 times cut into long, narrow 

 parts, with sharply notched edges ; the texture is common (not to say 

 coarse), and the color a full juicy green. Two or three leaves, on short 

 foot-stems, grow in a whorl-like cluster about the stalk, a little below 

 the flower-cluster. 



The flower has 4 rounded petals spreading at the top ; in texture 

 rather thick, in color white, faintly tinged with violet ; the 4-parted 

 calyx is pale green, and the 6 stamens, 2 noticeably shorter than the 

 others, are a dull greenish-yellow. 



With the true vigor of its family this plant grows in small com- 

 munities. It stays in bud a long time before the blossoms finally open. 

 A number of small tubers are strung together on the roots, like beads 

 on a necklace ; pungent and peppery to the taste. 



5° 



