A SECOND OHIO WEED MANUAL. 



32R 



1 19 Spurry | A) *Spergula arvensis L. This is also called "corn spurry" 

 from its occurrence in English wheat fields. The stem is a foot or more long 

 with narrow leaves clustered at the joints or nodes and small flowers in 

 terminal clusters. The seeds are dull black, circular, lens-shaped, about 1-20 

 inch across with distinct margin or border. With us still local but conspicuous 

 as a winter annual. 



120 Knawel (A) *Scleranthus annuus L. Knawel or German knotgrass 

 is a very low, spreading weed with short awl-shaped leaves. The seed cap- 

 sules break off and find their way into commercial seeds. Found at Clyde, O., 

 in crimson clover lot but common eastward. See seed cuts. As a weed unob- 

 trusive but persistent in character. 



CROWFOOT FAMILY, RANTJNCTJLACE^E. 



121 Black Snakeroot, Bugbane (P) Cimicifuga racemosa (L.)Nutt. This, 

 also called rattleroot, is a large ill-smelling weed with tall stems and long 

 spikes of white flowers. It is familiar in fence rows and in new land where it 

 soon yields to close cutting or cultivation. 



122 Field Larkspur (A) * Delphinium consolida L. This field larkspur, 

 with its leaves cut into narrow lobes, at times in company with another species, 

 frequently becomes introduced into grain fields. The long-spurred, various 

 colored flowers along with the leaves will serve to identify it. 



Seeds black, of various forms, 1-12 inch across, with roughened-covering 

 over the whole seed. Distributed in grain and other seeds, Being an annual 

 it may be killed out by destroying the plants and seeds. 



123 Small=flowered Crowfoot (B) Ranunculus abortivus L. Is a biennial 

 weed with smooth, round or kidney-form, lower leaves, divided stem leaves, and 

 very small, yellow petals. The flowers are succeeded by smooth, covered seeds 

 in great abundance. This is a very common weed in low grass lands and in 

 moist, cultivated fields. It is frequently very annoying to the strawberry 

 grower who rates it as a serious pest. It is best overcome by drainage and 

 hoe cutting - . 



* Ranunculus acris L. The acrid field buttercup is 

 rapidly becoming abundant in the pastures of north- 



^*^r^ avx^ ern Ohio, especially in moist situations. Wherever 



it is found stock give it a wide space because of its 

 acrid, poisonous juice, w r hich, however, disappears 

 in drying, leaving it harmless in hay. The illustra- 

 tion, Fig. 22, will enable one to recognize it. The 

 showy yellow flowers, having petals shining within, 

 are favorites with children. It commonly grows from 

 two to three feet high. 



Seeds small, often invested with covering, appar- 

 ently introduced in grass seeds. Where but few 

 plants are found they will repay hand digging; where 

 present in large numbers drainage and tilling the 

 soil should remove them. 



125 Cursed or Ditch Crowfoot (P) Ranunculus 

 sceleratus L. This closely resembles the small- 

 flowered crowfoot from which it is distinguished by 

 its longer, cylindrical heads and thick, hollow stems. 

 The juice like that of the buttercup, is acrid and 



blistering. Quite frequently found in low pastures and along ditches; so named 



because of its poisonous character. In most of these places it will repay the 



labor of removal. 



124 Buttercup (A 



Fig. 22, Buttercup. 



[After Vasey.) 



