210 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



sheathing towards the base, much used for culinary preparations ; 

 from Switzerland. 



A. schcenoprasum. L. Chives, or Cives. From Britain ; 

 grows in handsome tufts. 



A. proliferum. Schr. Tree Onion. Bears its bulbs on the 

 stem, and among the flowers, or instead of them ; a native of the 

 West Indies ; rarely cultivated. 



Most of those mentioned, are expectorant, stimulant, and di- 

 uretic. 



ORDER 249. SMILACE^. 



Flowers sometimes dioecious ; perianth petal-like, inferior, 

 6-parted, with 6 stamens inserted near its base ; ovary 3-celled, 

 and style usually trifid ; fruit a roundish berry ; leaves sometimes 

 with net-like veins ; plants sometimes are climbers. 



Widely spread over the world ; half in tropical America. 



Smilax. L. 20. 6. Jacob's Ladder. 



The name is from the Greek for grater, on account of the 

 rough stem of some ; about 50 species. 



Perianth 6-leafed, in both the dioecious flowers ; styles minute, 

 3, stigmas 3 ; berry 3-celled, superior. 



The 3 species of this genus found in this State, are not abun- 

 dant, though often occurring. 



S. rotundifolia. L. Green Briar. A prickly, troublesome 

 vine, forming tangled thickets, not without beauty ; about the 

 trees and shrubs on which it climbs. Distinguished for its round- 

 ish, heart-shaped, 5-nerved leaves, and glossy black berries. 



/S. peduncularis. Muhl. Jacob's Ladder. Unarmed, and 

 distinguished by its acuminate, 9-nerved leaves, offensive, green- 

 ish flowers, and bluish berries. 



$. herbacea. L. But 2 or 3 feet high, with 1 or 2 branches. 



