PARSLEY FAMILY. 



UMBELLIFER^. 



Sweet Cicely. OsmorrMza longistylis. 



Found northward, in rich, moist woods, blossoming in May and 

 June. 



The round, smooth stalk bears leaves at long intervals, and is in 

 color green, running into dull purple. It is 1 to 3 feet in height. 



The large compound leaf is 3 times divided, and has the general 

 aspect of a fern leaf ; the taper-pointed leaflets have strongly notched 

 margins, and noticeable ribs ; the texture is thin, and the color green. 



The small flower has 5 somewhat unequal, heart-shaped, white 

 petals, 5 stamens, and a long calyx. 



The anise-like flavor of the large root renders it attractive to the 

 palate of the herb-browser. The long seeds are armed with backward 

 pointing prickles, and snatch rides on the wayfarer's garments after the 

 manner of the plebeian Beggar-ticks. Cicely is sweet, tall, and graceful 

 in gesture, fine in the finish of its leaf joints, and distinguished by a few 

 fern-like leaves ; apparently a plant of good breeding. Where could its 

 seeds have learned such a beggarly trick ! 



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