A SECOND OHIO WEED MANUAL. 323 



PINK FAMILY, CARYOPHYLLACE^E. 



109 Cockle, Corn=cockle (A) *Agrostemma Githago L. The pink 

 flowered cockle is too common in wheat fields. Where very abundant it is very- 

 difficult to remove the seeds from those of the grain. The seed capsules are 

 early filled, so that the seed is well matured when the grain is gathered. 



Seeds black, angular, kidney-shaped, 1-12 to 1-8 inch across, marked with 

 spiny reticulations arranged in rows around the curved sides of the seeds. 

 Very common in wheat, from which about the best separation is secured by 

 hand sifting, using a screen of eight meshes to the inch. Also found in oats. 

 Poisonous to young fowls. The best method of removing cockle is that of pulling 

 from the seed grain. The weed remains only because of carelessness and the 

 neglect of reasonable precautions to remove it. 



110 Night=fIowering Catchfly (A) *Silene noctiflora L. A tall, leafy 

 viscid-hairy (sticky), annual, one to two feet high, with few, creamy-white 

 flowers. Lower leaves broader toward tip (spatulate), upper tapering; pod 

 soon ovoid, having a green network of veins without. Frequent in grasses and 

 clover fields, persisting in lawns. 



Seeds very abundant, grayish brown, kidney-shaped, 1-20 inch long, 

 regularly and minutely tuberculate over the surface. Distributed in clover, 

 alfalfa and grass seeds. Destroyed by cutting below crown with hoe or spud, 

 or by uprooting. 



111 Conical Catchfly (A) * Si lene conica L. This weed has been intro- 

 duced in Ohio in crimson clover seed purchased in Delaware. It is a rather 

 small, slightly downy annual with narrow leaves, very minute pink flowers and 

 conical, many-nerved pods. 



Seeds very small, brown, columnar-kidneyform, 1-30 inch long and beauti- 

 fully reticulated with basket-form markings on the seed coat. Apparently not 

 infrequent in crimson clover seed, in which it has evidently been brought from 

 the Mediterranean regions of Europe. Probably not a bad pest, though likely 

 to become omnipresent. The seeds can certainly be separated from those of 

 crimson clover by careful cleaning and screening. The plant ripens seeds as 

 early as May or June. Destroyed as other annuals by preventing the ripening 

 of seeds. 



112 Sleepy Catchfly (A) *Silene antirrhina L. Sleepy catchfly is a slender 

 annual, one to two feet high, with narrow leaves. It may be distinguished by 

 the fact that a portion of each joint of the stem is dark and sticky (glutinous). 

 This weed is very abundant locally and while not of the worst class appears to 

 be persistent, especiall}" upon light, sandy soils. 



Seeds very much as in night-flowering catchfly, but smaller and darker, 1-40 

 inch long, seed coat tuberculate in rows, rather distinct. Close scrutiny of grass 

 and clover seeds and thorough cultivation should be practiced for this weed. 



113 Soapwort, Bo::ncing=bet (P) *Saponaria officinalis L. Bouncing-bet 

 is an example of the many pernicious weeds thought at one time worthy of 

 cultivation. Once established, plants of this character, with underground stems, 

 are very difficult to eradicate. This grows one to two feet in height and has 

 dense clusters of la-ge, pale rose-colored flowers and smooth, oval, tapering 

 leaves. The soapy effect produced by the mucilaginous juice jn water will 

 further serve to identify it. Soapwort has become introduced nearly everywhere 

 and may be seen growing in yards, in pastures, along roadsides and railroads. 

 It is a bad weed deserving attention and should be destroyed. The leaves are 

 attacked by Macrosporium sapo?iaiice Pk^ which causes many spots upon the:^~ 



