44 



MISC. PUBLICATION 



U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



and are borne in erect clusters. The fruit consists of a cluster of blue berries. 

 The rootstock and roots are more or less knotty, about an inch or less in diameter, 

 with tough yellow wood and brownish bark. 



Other species. — The roots of Berberis nervosa Pursh, which is found in the same 

 region, are sometimes collected with that of Oregon hollygrape. 



Part used. — The bark, collected in autumn. In limited demand only. 



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Figure 81.— Oregon hollygrape (Berberi 

 aquifolium) 



Figure 82.— Peppermint (Mentha piperita) 

 PEPPERMINT 



Mentha piperita L. (Fig. 82.) 



Other common names. — American mint, brandy mint, lamb mint, lammint. 



Habitat and range. — Peppermint is naturalized from Europe and is found in 

 damp places from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to Florida and Tennessee. 

 It is largely cultivated, principally in Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, 

 and California, for the production of peppermint oil. 



Description. — Peppermint propagates by means of its long, running roots from 

 which are produced smooth, square stems from 1 to 3 feet in height, erect and 

 branching. The leaves are from 1 to 2 inches long, about half as wide, pointed, 

 and with sharply toothed margins. The plant is in flower from July to September. 

 The small purplish blossoms are placed in circles around the stem, forming thick, 

 blunt spikes. 



Part used. — The leaves and flowering tops, for which there is a reasonably 

 constant demand; collected as soon as the flowers begin to open and carefully 

 dried. The production of peppermint oil by distillation of the cultivated herb is 

 an extensive industry. 8 The wild form of the plant is not suitable for this pur- 

 pose, the cultivated plant containing more and better oil. 



PINKROOT 



Spigelia marilandica L. (Fig. 83.) 



Other common names. — Carolina pinkroot, Carolina pink, Maryland pink, 

 Indian pink, starbloom, worm grass, worm weed, American wormroot. 



Habitat and range. — This plant is found in rich woods from New Jersey to 

 Florida and west to Texas and Wisconsin, but occurs principally in the Southern 

 States. It is fast disappearing, however, from its native haunts. 



8 This industry is described in the following publication, which may be obtained free from the Office of 

 Information, United States Department of Agriculture, on request: Sievers, A. F. peppermint and 

 spearmint as farm crops. U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bui. 1555, 26 p., illus. 1929. 



