290 



WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS, 



-—the undivided portion nearly orbicular , pdioles 3-6 inclies long, with a gland at apex, 

 and sometime? 1, 2 or 3 near the base ; stipule opposite to each leaf, embracing the stem, 

 caducous. Flowers terminal, paniculate — the staminate below, the pistillate above, all ou 

 articulated pedicels. Calyx yellowish-green. PistiU purple and glaucous. Qijpsule cover- 

 ed with subulate points. Seeds subovoid, smooth, mottled. 



Gardens and fields; cultivate-d. Native of India. I^. July -September. Fr. Sept. - 

 October. 



Ohs. Extensively cultivated in the soutli and west, and even as far 

 north as oSTew Jersey, for the valuable medicine, Castor-oil, which 'is 

 afforded by its seeds. In our climate it is an annual, but in tropical 

 countries it is perennial, and forms a small tree 30-40 feet in height. 

 Often seen in gardens and door-yards as an ornamental plant. * 



Fig. 183. Summit of the Spurge-nettle (Cnidoscolus stimulosa), with the staminato" 

 Bowers above and the fertile ones in the axils of the loaves below. 



