136 CARYOPHYLLACEAE (PINK FAMILY) 
sules ovoid, three-celled, and as soon as ripe the partitions break 
away from the central axes, spilling the many fine, brown, kidney- 
shaped seeds into the soil. (Fig. 87.) 
Means of control 
Prevent seed development by frequent hoe-cutting. After the 
harvesting of corn, potatoes, or other hoed crops, harrow the ground 
so as to destroy the later growth of weed seedlings. 
SPURRY 
Spérgula arvénsis, L. 
Other English names: Corn Spurry, Sandweed, Pickpurse. 
Introduced. Annual or winter annual. Propagates by seeds. 
Time of bloom: June to August. 
Seed-time: July to September. 
Range: Throughout eastern United States 
and Canada. 
Habiiat: Cultivated ground; grain and 
clover fields. Prefers dry soil, and is 
sometimes grown on such land as a 
forage plant for sheep. 
So rapid is the growth of this weed that 
a field of young turnips or carrots may be 
swiftly smothered by it; young grasses 
and clovers, too, sometimes find it too 
aggressive. 
Stems six to eighteen inches tall, slen- 
der, erect, bright green, branching from 
the base, growing from slender, branching 
roots. Leaves one to two inches long, 
linear or awl-shaped, apparently whorled 
at the joints of the stem but really growing 
. In two opposite clusters of six to eight, 
with small stipules between. Flowers in 
terminal cymes; calyx of five sepals, 
persistent ; petals white and longer than 
Fic. 88.— Corn Spurry the sepals, open only in sunshine; stamens 
(Spergula arvensis). Xt. five or ten; styles five. The thread-like 
