MUSTARD BARBERRY, SPIDER- 
WORT AND PHLOX FAMILIES 
Tue Toothworts are attractive spring flowers 
belonging to the Mustard Family (Crucifere), 
which are often found growing abundantly in 
cool, damp woods. The perennial rootstocks 
have a peppery taste, which has given the plants 
the general name Pepper-root. In the Cut-leaved 
Toothwort the flowers vary from white to pink, 
while in the Two-leaved Toothwort they are 
white. 
The May Apple or Wild Mandrake is known 
to everyone throughout its range, although it is 
not so generally known that the curious plant 
belongs to the Barberry family (Berberidacee). 
The interesting umbrella-like leaves of the plant 
at once distinguish it, as does also the good-sized 
white flower nodding from the fork between the 
leaves. The blossom seems to be devoid of nectar 
and is seldom visited by insects. 
Sprperwort. In New England and some 
other regions that have long been occupied by the 
white man clumps of Spiderwort along the road- 
sides often mark the site of an old building whose 
former presence is shown only in the ruins of a 
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