WEEDS 



I. Tall Crowfoot, or Buttercup 



Ranunculus acris. — Family, Crowfoot. Color, )'ellow. 

 Leaves, all those on the stem and radical much cut, the di- 

 visions sessile. 



Sepals, 5, spreading, not reflexed. Petals, generally 5, longer 

 than the sepals. Stem, hairy, 2 or 3 feet high. The stem and 

 leaves contain a peculiarly acrid juice. If they are bitten into, 

 the tongue and lips will be blistered in a painful manner. 

 Beggars use the juice to produce sores upon their skin. Chil- 

 dren picking them with moist hands will be troubled with an 

 irritating eruption. Cattle refuse to eat them, hence they 

 flourish in great numbers. When dried in hay the acrid prop- 

 erties disappear. 



An undesirable importation from Europe. 



2. Bulbous Crowfoot, or Buttercup 



R. bulbosus. — Family, Crowfoot. Color, a deep satiny yel- 

 low. Leaves, from root, 3-divided, the middle division stalked 

 and 3-cleft, the side divisions sessile, all cleft and toothed. 

 Time, May to July. 



Sepals, 5, turned back. Petals, 5, 6, or 7, round, bright yel- 

 low, large. Flowers showy. The stem is hairy, erect, i foot 

 high, and expands at its base into bulbous shape. 



This is also a European importation, and has already become 

 a troublesome weed in New England. 



