Descriptive Flora 



73 



than 14" across, in terminal spikes 1 to 4" long. Petal-like sepals 

 four, small, pink or white. Petals none. Stamens 4, very small. 

 Flowers followed by 1-seeded, fleshy, red, stone-fruits smaller 

 than peas that form up the raceme as it continues to blossom at 

 the tip. Summer and Fall. 



Phytolacca decandm L. Poke-berry. Ink-berry. Pigeon-berry. 



These plants are stout, branch like a tree, are three to six 

 feet tall, and have large poisonous roots. Leaf-blades large, 

 tapering, four to eight inches long, ovate to oblong-ovate, slight- 

 ly wavy. Flowers white or greenish white, small, in (long) 

 heavy sprays, six to ten inches long. Petals none. Sepals 5, 

 white, small, circling the rapidly developing 5 to 12-lobed, round 

 but flattened fruits. Stamens 10. The long drooping clusters of 

 rich, dark purple, crimson juiced, 5 to 12 seeded fruits hanging 

 on bright red and purple stemmed stalks are very attractive to 

 birds. Mrs. Slater of El Paso writes: "The berries are bustin' 

 full of red ink that boys write spirit letters with, pretending like 

 it's blood.' 1 The word "Poke" is derived from pocan, the 

 Indian name for any plant yielding a red or yellow dye. An 

 ointment made from the plant is used in treating rheumatism 

 and ringworm. The roots are very large, sometimes as much as 

 6" in diameter, white inside and brown on the surface. They 

 are divided into 2 or 3 principal bunches. On account of its size 

 and texture, it is sliced to give it an opportunity to dry properly. 

 It should be dug in the fall. 



The young shoots in spring are cooked like asparagus and 

 some people consider them better. Large quantities of them are 

 sold in the Washington markets every spring. Care, however, 

 must be taken to pour off the water in which the shoots are first 

 boiled, because of the poisonous substances dissolved in it. Do 

 not eat any of the root. 



ALLIONACEAE. Four-O'clock Family. 

 Mirabilis julapa L. Four-O'clock. "Mara villa" 



This plant is easily noticed through its showy, deep pink to 



