58 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



2. SAPONA'EIA, L. Soapwort. 



[Latin, Sapo, soap ; its mucilage affording a substitute for that article.] 



Calyx tubular, 5-tootlied, naked at the base. Stamem 10. Styles 2. 

 Capsule short-stalked opening with 4 teeth at the apex. Embryo coiled 

 into a ring. 



1. S. officinalis, L. Leaves oval-lanceolate ; flowers in corymbose 

 clusters ; petals crowned with an appendage at the top of the claw. 

 Officinal Saponaria. Soapwort. Bouncing Bet. 



Perennial, ^fem 12 -18 inches high, ieares IJ^- 3 inches long. i^'Ioit-ers large, pale 

 rose color, often double. 

 Waste places. Native of Europe. Jul3'-Sept. 



Ohs. A conspicuous weed, spreading by the root and forming large 

 bunches near buildings and giving a slovenly appearance to the farm. 

 The plant has been employed medicinally in Europe, as a substitute for 

 Sarsaparilla in diseases of the skin. * 



Fig. 36. Soapwort (Saponaria ofBcinalis) . 



