Descriptive Flora 



173 



alike with yellow spines. . Leaves simple, alternate, deeply seg- 

 mented along the margin, prickly on the veins and midrib. 

 Stamens 5, one conspicuously larger than the rest, the anthers 

 opening by 2 pores at the top. Fruit enclosed by the enlarged 

 calyx which is covered with stout, yellow bristles. February to 

 fall. Usually growing in large patches in waste lands. Un- 

 doubtedly our most noxious weed in the fall. 



Capsicum baccatum L. Chilipitin. Bird Pepper. 



Similar in general appearance to Solatium, triquetrum but 

 the berries are always oblong (never round). These fruits are 

 gathered and dried, and used for seasoning. Wild turkeys are 

 fond of them, but when eaten in quantities will make the flesh 

 unpalatable. The berries are a valuable preservative for meats. 

 Beat the berries to a pulp, rub over the meat, and hang the meat 

 in the air. This will keep the flies off. 



To get rid of a " thoracic " cough, brew a tea of 1 table- 

 spoonful of the berries, strain thru a cloth, add enough sugar to 

 make a syrup; then take a little at a time. Mr. G. Schmeltzer 

 calls this a "sure cure/' 



Nicotiana repanda Willd. Wild Tobacco. 



Annuals, 1 to 3 feet tall, with broad, clasping, oval or oblong 

 leaves and slender, tubular, white flowers, 1% to 2y 2 " long. Stem 

 leaves simple, alternate. Blades entire, oblong, sometimes con- 

 tracted slightly below the middle and then expanded again and 

 clasping the stem at the base. Flowers blossoming one or two at 

 a time along the upper part of the main stem or branches. Calyx 

 5 lobed, conspicuously 10-ribbed. Corolla, a slender, minutely 

 hairy tube expanded above into 5 lobes, opening in the evening 

 and closing the following day. March and throughout the 

 summer. Waste places, preferably rich, shaded soil. Named for 

 the French ambassador, Nicot. 



Petunia parviflora Juss. Dwarf Petunia. 



Small, violet-flowered plant with small, flat but thick leaves, 



