290 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



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

 and sometimes 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 on 

 articulated pedicels. Calyx yellowish-green. Pistils purple and glaucous. Capsule cover- 

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



Gardens and fields; cultivated. Native of India. Fl. July -September. Fr. Sept. - 

 October. 



Obs, Extensively cultivated in the south and west, and even as far 

 north as 'New 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 staminate 

 flowers above and the fertile ones in the axils of the leaves below. 



