700 
DIOECIA HEXANDR1A, 
Walt. p. 244. 
S, Pubera, Mich. 2. p. 238. Sp. pi. 4. p. 785. Pursh, 1. p. 250. Nutt, 
2. p. 238. 
Stem prostrate, rarely exceeding 3 or 4 feet long, pubescent, sparingly 
branched, unarmed. Leaves perennial, alternate, cordate ovate, obtuse, 
mucronate, scabrous on the upper surface, almost tomentose and hoary un- 
derneath, 5-nerved the exterior obscure, on petioles 1 — 3 inches long. Flow - 
ers in small axillary umbels, the common peduncle 5 — 10 lines long, the 
partial 1 — 2 lines. Calyx of both florets 6-leaved, 3 exterior, oblong, green- 
ish yellow. Corolla 0. Stamens shorter than the corolla, rugose, between 
the interior petals of the fertile flower are often found the rudiments of 3 sta- 
mens. Germ superior. Style short thick. Berry oval, white, 1 -seeded? 
Grows in rich shaded soils. 
Flowers September — October. Matures its fruit in March. 
10. Pseudo China. Lin. 
S. inermis; foliis in- 
ermibus, caulinis cor- 
datis, rameis ovato-ob- 
longis, 5-nervibus; pe- 
dunculis longissimis. 
Unarmed; leaves un- 
armed, those of the 
stem cordate, of the 
branches ovate oblong, 
5-nerved; peduncles 
very long. 
Sp. ph 4. p. 785. Pursh, 2. p. 250. Nutt. 2. p. 238. 
S. Sarsaparilla, Walt. p. 245. 
Roots tuberous, creeping, nodose. Stem climbing over small shrubs. 
Leaves as in most of the genus semiperennial, many of them adhering to the 
stem during the winter. The lower leaves distinctly cordate, nerved, the 
young ones ovate. Berries black? 
Most of the species of this genus have large tuberous roots, but in this 
they are very conspicuous. This species is, I believe, the one generally 
preferred in medicine as an alterative, and forms the basis of many “diet- 
drinks” among the “unlicensed faculty.” From these roots, with Indian 
corn, (maize) sassafras and molasses, the negroes manufacture a very plea- 
sant beer. 
Grows in almost all soils, frequently found in dty sandy situations. 
Flowers June — July? 
11. Rotundifolia. Lin. 
S. caule aculeato, te- 
retiusculo; foliis subro- 
tundo-ovatis, acumina- 
Stem prickly, some- 
what terete; leaves 
ovate, nearly round, 
